I made this prototype for a couple who needed save-the-dates for a wedding. We ended up doing something else but these turned out so cute I thought I would do a tutorial on how to make them. These little tubes shoot a little burst of confetti when you twist them. The problem is they are usually ugly and the confetti inside them is usually poor quality (like five little sad strands.) So what we did here is strip the label, disassemble the spring mechanism. Then put it back together with our own confetti plus an invitation inside. Then the recipient twists the canister for an exciting little moment to get their invitations. Fun right?
We were going to do these as save-the-dates but they would work great as party invitations for any event.
Materials
Cheap Party Poppers (you can find these at most party supply stores) 12 for $10
Confetti (buy this or make your own–get out your hole punches!)
Invitations We did ours as a confetti on a string but you could easily just do a small square piece of paper and just fold it up.
Label Paper Then download the template for free right here or you can design your own.
Step 1 Disassemble the confetti shooter. Twist it so the confetti shoots out, then take off the label. Then take apart all the pieces
Step 2 Reassemble the canister and reset the spring so it is spring loaded. It is very easy to do and takes 10 seconds. It’s pretty straight forward but here are a few pictures.
Step 3 Fill the loaded canister with confetti and the invitation. Take the circle piece from the top of the canister, trace it on white paper and cut it out. Then place it on top like a lid.
Step 4 Take your new label and remove the backing. Starting at one side adhere the label, smoothing it as you go. When you are done add a piece of tape on the seam to keep it secure. Then press down the overlap on the top with your finger until it is sticking to the white “lid.” I experimented with different versions and I think this works best. You don’t want to tape the lid down because the confetti had a hard time launching. The label paper is the perfect amount of stickiness to keep it secure but still allow the confetti and invitation to launch.
Voila! A super fun party invitation. I would mail them in a simple box with fun bright paper packing material but I wouldn’t include a card. Just make it mysterious so they have to “twist it” to find out who it’s from.
Samantha
March 16, 2011
Hi Jordan,
I was so excited about this I went out and purchased some twist poppers just like these, but mine don't come apart. I twist and twist (after popped), and I can't seem to get it apart. Am I doing something wrong? Are there different kinds of twist poppers?
lady lyles
March 17, 2011
WOW. genius. this is why we like you so much.
Carrie
March 17, 2011
Simply unbelievable. Going out on our blog love post tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing. Very inspiring. Although also prompting a strong desire to quit designing invites. You're the master!
Carrie
March 17, 2011
Simply unbelievable. Going out on our blog love post tomorrow. Thanks so much for sharing. Very inspiring. Although also prompting a strong desire to quit designing invites. You're the master!
Hector Pascual
March 20, 2011
awsome!!
Heather
March 20, 2011
my sister linked me to this post via twitter.
this rocks! i believe i'll be making some of these thanks to you!
amazing. wonderful. thanks!
Emmy
March 21, 2011
Love, love, love. I think you have saved me.
Birthday Party Ideas
March 29, 2011
Cute party ideas!
Year Old Birthday Party Ideas
Steph
April 1, 2011
I got so excited to make these for my nieces and nephews for their birthdays this year– filled with confetti and some wadded up cash.
But my poppers won't disassemble. So sad…
Michelle | My Personal Artist
April 4, 2011
Fabulous! Amazing work. I've been obsessed with confetti for days. I'm working on a vibrant confetti watercolor design now. Loved seeing this today! Thanks for sharing. xo
DangAndBlast!
April 12, 2011
Clever, but *seriously* I would make a warning about where to open them! I tend to open mail just wherever, while walking around the neighborhood, in my friends' cars, in line at the grocery if I've just shoved it all in my purse… and have had a few issues where people thought it would be nice to fill an envelope with glitter or confetti. Not bad when all you have to do is sweep your own hardwood floor, but a pain when it's picking glitter out of carpet or apologizing to your boss for dumping confetti all over her car. But, with a warning to open with care, a very cool idea!
Becky {Bow Ties + Bliss}
April 15, 2011
one of the most wonderful & original save the date ideas i've seen in a long time!! how FUN!!
Anonymous
April 18, 2011
Jordan, I just made 40(!) of these for my wedding save the dates! We decided to only send them to our peers & close friends and then the older family members will just get normal save the date cards so they won't have to clean up. I could not believe how easy they were to make! Thank you SO much for sharing this wonderful idea!!! I cannot wait until everybody gets to "pop" theirs!!!
Timmi
May 2, 2011
I just made these for my daughter's birthday party, My husband was in charge of the resetting them and found that if you just peel off the top and dump out the contents you don't have to reset the spring. I think I also had the one's that don't disassemble. Found them at Walmart for $.50 a popper!!! I was so excited!!!
Carol
May 3, 2011
I made this! I had a heck of a time getting the tube apart, because it was hard to tell WHERE it would separate. The trick is the push down with your thumbs on the bottom (turny part) like popping a cork or a bottle cap.
Anyway it came out great!
http://extremecards.blogspot.com/2011/05/birthday-popper.html
Carol
Anonymous
May 3, 2011
My son's 40th birthday is approaching–this will make perfect "card" for the occasion.
Thanks so much for the great idea!
Nat
May 13, 2011
I made these for a baby shower and they were a HUGE hit!
Beelime
May 15, 2011
This is great! What a fresh and fun idea!
Caroline
June 10, 2011
What a clever girl you are! Thanks for being so generous with your info! And including the printable label! I’m going to make these for my daughter’s 13th birthday in August! I can’t wait!!
Becky
June 20, 2011
Ok love love this! Especially since I am thinking of using confetti theme and polka dots in my wedding. However, very concerned about the cost for mailing these save the dates. Can anyone share how they actually mailed them and how much it cost to mail each one? Thanks!