Spinning Figurine/Ballerina

I made a little spinning ballerina box, which could be any figurine, but I used a ballerina. It is like a music box but without the music :). However, you could definitely add a small speaker or something in to have it play music. I didn't though.

1 figurine about 3 inches tall (I used a little cupcake topper but anything works)

3-4 toothpicks

Scotch tape

Cardboard

Hot glue and hot glue gun

Scraps of fabric or other decorative items (Optional)

If your figurine is a cupcake topper like mine or for some other reason already has a toothpick sticking out the bottom, you can skip this. Otherwise, cut a small circle of cardboard (just big enough so the bottom of the figurine/their feet fit on it). Glue the figurine on it. In the middle of the circle, stick a toothpick through to poke a hole. Then put glue on the end of the toothpick before sticking the end through the hole again so that the glue dries in the hole and the toothpick stays.

Next, cut a square of cardboard 4 1/4 by 4 3/4 inches, or however big you want the floor of your "stage" to be. Stick the toothpick on the bottom of the figurine through the cardboard (but do not glue it), so that the feet of your figurine are nearly touching the cardboard and the toothpick is sticking out the other side. Once the toothpick is through, use scotch tape to tape another toothpick on, so that from the cardboard square to the end of the second toothpick is about 3 inches. Next, cut a small cardboard circle about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches in diameter (the exact size doesn't really matter) and stick it onto the end of the second toothpick, a few centimeters from the end. Add glue so that the 1st wheel and the toothpick cannot turn independently of each other.

Next, cut another circle around the same size (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches in diameter). Then, glue hot glue around the edge to give it a rubbery edge that will help it grip the 1st wheel. Try to make the outside as smooth and even as possible. The smoother it is, the easier it is to spin the figurine. Set this wheel aside.

Cut another square the same as your "stage" (I recommended 4 1/4 by 4 3/4 inches), and two squares 3 inches by the width of your "stage" (4 3/4 inches). Use the glue gun to glue the 3 inch tall pieces opposite each other, underneath the "stage" (on the side where the toothpicks are sticking out and the 1st wheel is). Then, glue the last piece underneath then so that you have created a box, but without a back and front. Sick the toothpick into the bottom piece of cardboard so that it makes a hole or divot, but do not glue it, so that the toothpick can spin inside the divot.

Next, poke a hole and stick a toothpick through one side of the box. Do not glue it- it should be able to spin. Then, add a dot of glue onto the second wheel (the one with the glue on the outside), and poke the toothpick through so that it is like it is in the second picture. Then rest the second wheel on the first and spin the toothpick on the side to spin the figurine on top!

You need to kind of look at the system as you turn is to make sure the 2nd wheel stays on top of the 1st one. So, I kept the back open and added curtains in the front so that if I am showing it to someone, they will only see the figurine but I can stand behind it and watch the wheels. But, you can enclose the entire box, add curtains, or do whatever you want to decorate it. I also added a box on top (and slanted the roof of said box), to make it look like a theater, but that is not necessary. In case you are wondering, to pin the curtains back for the pictures and when showing people, I used bobby pins.