A roundup of handmade Daruma ideas: making Daruma with various materials
The traditional Japanese daruma has long been cherished as a good-luck charm.
For that reason, it’s used as a New Year’s decoration, carried as a talisman for guaranteed victory, and is also a popular charm for entrance exams.
In this article, we’ll introduce a whole range of ideas for making your own daruma by hand! We’ve picked out a wide variety, from easy ones made by crumpling newspaper into a ball, to sewing and knitting projects, and craft-style versions using paper plates and paper cups.
Find ideas that fit your needs—who will make it, how long it will take, and more—and create a wonderful daruma of your own.
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Handmade Daruma ideas roundup: Daruma made with various materials (1–10)
make with cloth
You can also make a daruma out of fabric.
The body has the same structure as a beanbag, and you finish it by embroidering the daruma’s face onto it.
However, unlike a typical beanbag, you can also use materials like yarn.
First, think about what material you want to use and what pattern of fabric to choose.
It’ll look cute as a decoration, and you can also play with it like a beanbag or use it for finger exercises.
If you make it larger and stuff it with batting, it can even serve as a cushion.
Made with newspaper
For those who want to make one as easily as possible, we recommend the method using newspaper.
First, for the body that forms the base, just crumple up some newspaper and shape it.
Then simply stick origami paper on it and draw the face, and you’re done.
This way, even people who aren’t good at crafts or who don’t have much time can give it a try.
By the way, each color of daruma is said to have its own meaning.
Red is for family safety, black is for warding off bad luck, and so on.
Try changing the color of the origami to match your wish.
Made with candles
Melt some wax and shape it—how about making a daruma candle? Add red pigment to white wax and mold it into a round shape, and the basic body is ready.
Then attach separately made skin-colored wax for the face, and use black wax to add the eyes and mustache—done! The best part about this method is that you can customize the colors to your liking.
It really feels like making a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
You could even add a few drops of oil to turn it into an aroma candle.
Just don’t forget to insert the wick!
Compilation of handmade daruma ideas: Daruma made with various materials (11–20)
amigurumi
Let’s make a crocheted daruma doll that stands back up even when you roll it around! Please prepare an egg-shaped piece of Styrofoam, yarn, and some nuts (metal weights).
First, start crocheting bit by bit from the bottom of the body.
Make two parts by crocheting in circles, as if spiraling around, and the body is complete.
Place the yarn cover over the Styrofoam with the nut attached, and your self-righting doll is finished! Add a face and patterns to the daruma to create a soft, gentle-looking amigurumi.
Made with balloon art
When you hear “balloon art,” you might picture twisting and bending long balloons, but this idea is very simple.
You just take a red, round balloon, blow it up, and stick on parts for the eyes, whiskers, and mouth to finish it.
No difficult techniques are required, so even small children can have fun making it.
And the result is super cute.
Since it’s a balloon, you won’t be stuck figuring out where to put it in the end, either.
That said, there is something a little bit lonely about that, too.
Made with origami
Why not try making a handmade daruma using origami you have at home? There are a wide range of folding methods, from simple flat designs to more elaborate 3D ones.
Once you’ve folded the daruma body with origami paper, use pens or stickers to draw the facial expression and patterns.
You can display it as interior decor, or make it as a gift for someone special.
Another fun point is that you can enjoy many variations just by changing the color or pattern of the paper.
Try setting a theme—like entrance exams or New Year—and create your own!
Make it by pasting and cutting construction paper
Why not try making Shichifuku Daruma by cutting and pasting construction paper? As the name suggests, it’s a craft where you build three-dimensional daruma figures out of paper.
It’s similar to papercraft in terms of content.
The biggest feature of this project is making seven daruma modeled after the Seven Lucky Gods.
That means you’ll need to think about how to distinguish each one.
For example, give Daikokuten a magic mallet, make Bishamonten black, and so on—come up with your own ideas.
Display all seven, and your room—and your mood—are sure to brighten up.