Introduction: Ribbon Antenna Dangler for Your Car

Antenna balls are just so passé! Decorate your antenna with festive ribbons that blow in the wind.

Step 1: What You'll Need

~ 4 small cable ties in the colour of your choice
~ Ribbon. I used the 6 colours of the Pride rainbow (less than 50cm/20" lengths of 10mm satin ribbon for each colour), but you can use whatever colours you like: flag colours; Christmas colours; team colours...it's up to you! You'll need at least 6 strands of ribbon, but more will give a fuller look.
~ Scissors
~ A lighter
~ A car with an antenna

Step 2: Measuring the Ribbon

Decide how long you'd like your ribbon. My antenna doesn't stick up very far, so I used fairly short (35cm/14") lengths, so they didn't sit on the car roof too much. When you've decided how long you want the ribbons to be add another 2cm (1") or so, and cut all the ribbons to the same length. Line up all the ribbons in the colour order you want.

Step 3: Assembling the Dangler

Make a loose loop (about 2cm/1" in diameter) in the first cable tie.

Wrap the neatly stacked ribbons around the cable tie leaving a short amount of ribbon on one side (have a look at the second diagram) and put another cable tie through the loop.

Tighten the first cable tie and make loose loop (about 2cm/1" in diameter) in the second cable tie.

Add a third cable tie loop (about 2cm/1" in diameter) to allow the dangler to twist about.

You could use metal rings for the second and third loops if you have access to them, but cable ties work fine.

Step 4: Neaten Up the Ribbon

Cut the ends of the ribbon to the same length. Don't go too short on the cable tie ends, or they might slip out.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you have ribbon that frays melt all the ends using a lighter. The wind will unravel it surprisingly quickly if you don't.

Step 5: Mount Your Dangler

Your dangler is now finished! Trim the ends of the cable ties if you've not already done so.

To mount on your antenna, simply slip a cable tie through the third loop and tie tightly to your antenna. Cut off the excess cable tie and you're all done.

If you make one I'd love to see a photo of it!