No. 154 Make your own wooden spin top

Meet artisan Raymundo Miss, known as “the elf”, who currently offers a workshop on his house courtyard to teach the process of making traditional toys like the spin top and balero, as well as they keychain versions.

The trompo is a kind of top that spins on its tip, where its gravitational center is perpendicular to the spinning axis and is balanced due to the angular velocity which allows the gyroscopic effect. On the other hand, the balero is a juggling toy that has a stem, generally made of wood, it is attached to a rope with a ball pierced by a hole of a diameter adjusted to the stem. The main working tool of the artisan is a system he specially adjusted to carve wood, this system works by means of a pedal that makes wood twist by friction; thus, while wood is twisting, he carves it to a specific shape. Another interesting process is the way he colors the items, as for one of the colors he uses a root that provides a brilliant yellow shade: turmeric. As you can see, most of the processes he uses to make toys is rustic and traditional.

Watch this process and be creative coloring your own spin top or balero. After it is ready, you will be taught the main techniques to play with them. It is a fun activity, and you must be patient to improve each time. It includes explanation and materials to make the toys.

Prior reservation is recommended.