DIY Rocker Balance Board

Inspiration

I have access to a Bosu ball in the gym, but I needed a balance board to use on vacation, and decided to bring it home so I can do my PT exercises at home if I can't make it to the gym.  Bosu balls are probably expensive and are too awkward to be any sort of portable.  The balance board like the one my PT showed me is $80 online.  The starred items were "found" items from my house or one of my parents', so the total cost of this board was about $10.

Goal

 

Materials

• A scrap of nice 7-ply plywood*, cut to 1'x2'
• A scrap of 2"x2"*, cut to 1' long
• Two 1 1/2" wood screws*
• Four rubber 'feet' nails* (used for trivets), or thin slices of a wine cork and glue, optional
• Four 1" L-brackets
• Eight 1/2" wood screws
• Paint or varnish*, optional
• Grip tape, optional

 

Tools

• Table saw* (or a skill saw and sawhorses, if you're skilled), or some lumber stores might make the cuts for free
• Drill press, cordless drill, or Yankee drill*
• Hammer*
• Pencil*
• Tape measure*
• Sand paper*: 120 & 200 grit, or thereabouts
• Paint brushes, rags, and necessary cleaning fluids depending on the finish you choose*
• Scissors* or a knife to cut grip tape -- don't use good sewing scissors for this!

Step 1:  Cut wood to size

Measure and mark plywood, then set the fence of a table saw and cut.  Repeat for the 2"x2".  (Some lumber stores might make the cuts for free.)

Step 2:  Sand both pieces

I sanded both pieces smooth using 120, then 200 grit sandpaper.  I slightly beveled the corners as well to minimize the chance of splinters and cuts.  This is easier to do before assembly.

Step 3:  Drill pilot holes

Measure and mark placement of screws, then drill pilot holes using a bit smaller than the diameter of the screw post. 

To attach the boards together, I placed two off-center as I didn't want one in the middle -- it might be uncomfortable on a bare foot when doing a one-legged balance exercise.  This wouldn't matter if you will cover it with grip tape.

To attach the brackets, I made sure they were each approximately one-fourth of the length of the 2"x2" from the end, and off-set them slightly so the screws wouldn't align through the board.

(A Yankee drill is a push-drill.  It takes less space to store than all but the smallest of electric drills, but it may not be cheaper.  I borrowed one to take home as I didn't have the brackets with me on vacation.)

Step 4:  Assemble

Paint or varnish the two wood pieces, as desired, and let dry according to the instructions on the can.  Attach the boards to each other with the long wood screws.  Attach the brackets with the short wood screws.  Hammer in the rubber feet or glue on the slivers of cork to the four bottom corners.  Cut and apply grip tape in a pleasing and/or functional pattern to the top of the board.

Pompom Dangle Earrings

Goal

 

Inspiration

I made these as gifts as they look fun, light, and bold.  I had some yarn and some extra earring hooks.  I found a set of five new chokers at a thrift store for chains and jump rings.  Beautiful, low-cost, easy, custom hand-made gifts!

Materials

• yarn
• a clean fork 
• scissors
• jewelry chain, 4-10" depending on style and preferences
• jewelry pliers
• jump rings, 2-4 per pair
• dangle earring backs, 2 per pair
• a short piece of sewing thread
• loop turner

Step 1:  Make a pompom

Make a small pompom using the fork method linked here.  Use straight "regular" yarn.  The shiny, squiggly kind won't work -- or at least the one I have.  Leave two long tails after you tie the knot around the yarn bundle, and don't trim them when you trim the rest of the yarn.  The 'regular' width variegated yarn (shown in the left picture) used 90 loops, six layers of 15 windings.  The yarn on the right is a custom variegated one my aunt made, with tufts of unspun wool, glitter threads, and small strips of fabric spun into it.  The width varies widely.  I used 40 loops, four layers of 10 windings, and couldn't trim those pompoms quite as small.  They both ended up rather fuzzy, almost felted, and not looking like they're made of yarn.

Step 2:  Add the chain

For the single strand, I used a jump ring at the end of the chain, and double-knotted the yarn tails through the jump ring, then trimmed the tails closely.  The single chain was 1.5-2" long.

For the double chain, I threaded a piece of regular sewing thread through the end link of the chain.  I pushed the loop turner carefully through the middle of the pompom, and caught the thread with the hook, to thread the chain through the center of the pompom.  The double chain was 4-5" long.

Step 3:  Add earring back

Use a jump ring to connect the single strand to a hook earring back.  Test out the length in the mirror  to choose a length you like.

Use a jump ring to connect both ends of the double strand chain to a hook earring back.  Test out the length in the mirror  to choose a length you like.

Step 4:  Repeat steps 1-3 for a matching earring

Results:

I like these, and I'd make them again if and when I know someone who'd wear them.  I might make some for myself, if I get real silver materials and a yarn that won't irritate my sensitive skin.