Pyro-Balls Tutorial
This is the tutorial page for the Pyro-Balls from Topogami Cards (formerly Kirigami Cards). If you have any questions or comments, please contact us, even if you bought this from a retailer.
Pyro-Balls Featuring Andrea Hawksley's 6-Card Ball Design
Be sure to check out Andrea’s website andreahawksley.com/six-card-ball/ and her YouTube channel @AndreaHawksley for more of her creations.
Assemble six precision, pre-cut playing cards into a compact, interlocking spherical polyhedron that hides a stunning secret: an elegant dodecahedron clearly visible at its core.
Created by mathematical artist Andrea Hawksley, this clever design uses just six cards, each representing two faces of the underlying regular dodecahedron. The result is a structure with pyritohedral symmetry (a fascinating subgroup of icosahedral symmetry): a mesmerizing, soccer-ball-like orb that’s both a visual delight and a subtle mathematical puzzle.
No glue, no tape. Just slots and interlocking folds that click satisfyingly into place, revealing intricate patterns and a harmonious, display-worthy sculpture from every angle.
- Six-card modular marvel: compact yet structurally rich
- Pre-cut precision on premium playing card stock for clean separation and effortless assembly
- Hidden dodecahedron core with pyritohedral symmetry, a beautiful fusion of art and advanced geometry
- Two-sided artistry: interlocking designs visible inside and out
- Step-by-step video tutorial to guide you from flat cards to finished ball
- Made in the USA by veterans and magicians: pocket-portable, durable and endlessly intriguing
Each package includes 18 pre-cut cards, enough to build three balls.