Temari is described as "embroidering the surface of a ball." Te means hand and mari means ball.
The basic ball is called the "dodai-mari
or foundation mari and is composed of a hollow or solid polystyrene ball.
Most recently Sharon has begun using tightly crumpled or wadded fabric, wrapped with cotton cloth strips for her foundation.
For added ring and bling, sometimes a bell is inserted in the central core.
Then the whole ball is carefully wrapped with a piece of nylon stocking, and covered in soft, thick yarn.
The thickness of the yarn is decreased and more layers of yarn are added, each layer of yarn gradually decreasing in thickness.
After many layers of wrapping, the surface of the ball is divided into equal parts using paper tape measure and pins. The simplicity or complexity of the ultimate design will determine the number of divisions.
Lastly, the ball is decorated with various types and colors of cotton and silk embroidery thread.
Each Temari Ball takes anywhere from 12 hours to 120 hours to complete depending on the level of complexity.
Sharon meticulously signs each originally designed Temari Ball with her embroidered initials, "ST."
