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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Compilation of handmade daruma ideas: Daruma made with various materials (11–20)
Made with mizuhiki
With the handmade boom, mizuhiki and tsumami-zaiku accessories are really popular, aren’t they? A daruma made from mizuhiki would be cute as a brooch, for example, don’t you think? You might feel that mizuhiki crafts are difficult, but this method only uses basic knots, so even beginners can do it if they take the steps slowly.
It’s a bit finicky work, but once you understand the process, it’ll make sense.
For the parts where you have to thread it through tiny holes that make you think, “In such a small spot?”, don’t try to do it all at once—just pass the strands through one by one and you’ll be fine!
Made with a paper cup
Here’s how to make a gently wobbling daruma using colored construction paper and a paper cup.
Cut the colored paper that will form the daruma’s body with scissors, then glue a piece of white paper on top for the face.
Tearing the face piece by hand gives it a nice texture and makes for an interesting finish, so it’s recommended.
Draw the face, decorate the belly pattern and other details, then attach a paper cup to the back at the bottom with cellophane tape to complete it.
When you push it, the daruma will sway side to side.
Try making it in your favorite colors!
Made with wool felt
You might have seen them at bookstores and the like.
There are quite a few kits for making felt dolls of dogs, cats, and more.
So let’s make a daruma out of felt too! You can buy a daruma-making kit, or if you’re confident in your dexterity, try creating your own original version.
The process of mindlessly poking a needle into a rolled ball of felt… it’s surprisingly addictive.
The finished piece is round, soft, and cute! It also makes a great small gift for someone.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a whole range of handmade daruma ideas. As you’ve seen, “daruma” can be made from all sorts of materials! Whether it’s adults making them, little kids, or depending on how much time you have, find the method that best fits your daruma-making needs—and be sure to try making one yourself!