Play with Spirograph designs + the best set for art journaling

[@MargareteMiller]

I forgot to say which of these Spirograph sets I recommend! I liked the die-cast set the best. I think it's the most stable and useful. The Animator was a close second, though. If you have a set that you recommend, please let me know which one you prefer! Is there one I missed? I'd love to know❣

[@crmcsys1214]

Thank you for the visual comparisons and user-friendly evaluation.

[@janc6495]

Your favorite is now $29.99!!!!! Amazon knows it's quality. haha

[@MyDjturner]

I remember playing with Spirograph 50+ years ago. I didn't know what to do with them back then, so I made a book with every design it made, starting with wheel 1, disc 1, hole 1. I used every wheel, every disc and every hole. Then I had a catalogue of designs to choose from when I wanted to decorate my scrapbooks. My scrapbooks back then were filled with memories of the day, where I went, anything that happened and bits and pieces I collected along the way. Sometimes the spirograph framed a few words or the name of a town or person. I also used them along with stencils to decorate baby card books when my baby brother and sisters were born, etc.

[@susansmithey5317]

Me too! I’m nearly 70 years old. My younger brother received it as a Christmas gift. We all loved it.

[@MargareteMiller]

OMG, I'd love to see your book! That sounds amazingly creative for a young child ❣️ You are quite an expert at all the designs with the different cogs, too! 🩷

[@Lari-lc3zq]

@@MyDjturner Now I want to do this with my set LOL

[@Ruth58969]

I had a sprrograph as a small child back in the 60's. I loved it.

[@jeannainnc8390]

This was genius. I loved spirograph as a kid too. I purchased the big set for my boys years ago. Now they are grown and I am taking it back!

[@MargareteMiller]

Great idea!! That's so great that it's still floating around the house somewhere for you to find it and use it 😉🩷⭐️

[@wandalanzetta6488]

Spirograph was my favorite toy. I had both the original with the pins and the foil spirograph.

[@kristinvoss9857]

I asked for an received the metal Spirograph after watching your video. I just realized that when I had the original set back in the 60's (I am 71) it came with red map pins to hold it down to some sort of cardboard. I imagine they were not included after some kids ate them - with ill effects ensuing. Anyhoo, love the set. I think you are so clever the way you use papers which are not awesome on their own (sometimes) to make wonderful pieces. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@MargareteMiller]

Awww, I love it!! I'm so happy you got the die cast version and that you're experimenting with it. I hope you have fun creating some interesting designs and then incorporating them into your collages 👏🏼

[@missyb.623]

I still have my original one from the 70s❤ And my children's from the 90s.

[@cynthiahogue7724]

I just saw my Spirograph in the attic last week! It would be from the late 60’s or early 70’s. Guess I’m headed up to the attic today❤

[@MargareteMiller]

Oh! That's wonderful, Cynthia❣️ How nice to know it's up there waiting for you to take it out and play with it 🙂

[@jenniferwatson7118]

My brother and I had a Spirograph set as children - we loved it! I think I still have it in a box of 'treasures' from childhood. Thanks for the comparisons.

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm glad you enjoyed this, Jennifer. If you can't find your original, a new set isn't that expensive, especially the travel one for under $10. You can create a lot with it. 👍🏻

[@jenniferwatson7118]

@@MargareteMiller 👍

[@tracynelson3279]

Oohhh, yep I had one as a kid. What a great idea. I'll have to be in the lookout at my local thrift stores! Another idea I thought of is coloring in some of the spaces with colored pencils.

[@MargareteMiller]

Yes, good point! You can color in the spaces inside and experiment with even more color combinations. I need to play more with that idea. Thanks for suggesting it 🩷

[@lindasparks7131]

I loved using a Spirograph!

[@MargareteMiller]

They take a bit of practice, but then there are so many possibilities ❣️😉👍🏼

[@dawnc8755]

I bought a "original design set" spirograph from Dick Blick a few years back, mostly because I LOVED THIS TOY so much as a kid. The one I have has it's own tin and a little booklet that shows all the different designs. Thanks for the reminder that I need to pull this out and play!! I love your little book, I think the spirograph designs would look really cool with outer space postage stamps!

[@MargareteMiller]

Oooooh! Great idea with the space stamps!! Thanks for the idea ❣️😉👍🏼

[@Lari-lc3zq]

I would have liked to see you use the pens that actually belong with the Junior set if you’re going to review the set as a whole. I’m not really surprised the little pens didn’t work very well in it, tbh. Perhaps the larger markers would have fit the holes better and made it easier to use? That being said, I do enjoy my classic Spirograph set, even as an adult, and enjoy seeing ways to use it in my collage art. Thank you for this video.

[@MargareteMiller]

Good points. Thanks!

[@kelliecorum5427]

❤ TFS, I love Spirograph!

[@julieharry401]

❤ love your art and your instruction. I used to love Spirograph!

[@MargareteMiller]

Thanks for stopping by, Julie 🙂❣️⭐️

[@mydanshi9683]

The metal set looks great, I’ll see if I can find one. I made some awesome charms by drawing Spirograph designs on to heat shrink plastic sheets. I made a journal with the full size designs and dangled the charms from the spine. I also experimented with scratching Spirograph designs on to black scratch off paper with multi colours underneath. They looked great.

[@MargareteMiller]

OMG shrinkidinks. I forgot about those! That’s a great idea what to do with Spirograph designs. Thanks for sharing ❣️

[@mtdebemigrant1435]

Very timely. I just bought a set last month but I was waiting for inspiration. Thank you.

[@MargareteMiller]

Nice!! Have fun playing with it! 💜😉👍🏼

[@francklie6568]

I had a Spirograph set more than 50 years ago. Loved it! Too bad I don't have it anymore.

[@renel7303]

I still have mine! From the 60s!

[@MargareteMiller]

They're relatively inexpensive. THere's still opportunities to play with one 💜. I hope you will!

[@lindabarnett7653]

This is great!~~thanks so much, Margarete, for doing this demo - trying the various models and sharing the results!

[@MargareteMiller]

You're welcome, Linda. It was my pleasure to experiment with all of these sets 😉💜👍🏻

[@pilesofparagraphs]

This is a fun video. I have the die cast set but haven't used it. I will now. Thanks for the inspiration Margarete

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm so glad you already have the die-cast set, Lori! I hope you will make a couple soon and use them in your work 😉💜👍🏻

[@darcypalmer7783]

I agree that little kids would get frustrated with the junior version. It actually seems more difficult. I wouldn't buy that for my grand kids. The die cast metal set is beautiful and looks like it works the best. Thanks for the review. I had forgotten how to use one of these!! By the way, I made your paper bag mini books for my grandchildren and they loved filling them up with their own designs. It was so much fun!! My four year old grandson had it in his hand for days! He did dinosaur stamps in his. Thanks so much!

[@MargareteMiller]

Oh, that is so cute, that your grands loved the meandering books!! A little book with dinosaur stamps?!! 🦕🦖 How wonderful ❣️

[@hopewilkes74]

Thanks! Great idea for gifts. My kids had these years ago. Fun

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Cool vid; thanks for posting!🎉

[@MargareteMiller]

Thanks, Gwen! I'm so glad you like this. 💜

[@dawnarobertson9577]

You can also run those secondary pieces on the outside of the large ring . . .

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm scared to try!! 🤔

[@marionlamb6882]

In the 1940’s my sixth grade teacher brought a Spirograph to our classroom. We were enthralled.

[@MargareteMiller]

So neat!! That was a great teacher 💜

[@Carole-j3t]

I also have a collection of spirograph tools, including some nifty cheap knockoffs. Did you know that you can use two gears together to make a design without the ring? You fix a gear to your page and go aroubd the outside of it with another gear. It takes practice not to slip off track because you have no guard rail to contain it all. You have to push TOWARD the fixed gear in the center, unlike when using the ring where you're pushing rather outward against the inside of the ring. I think the double gear technique woud be fun to experiment with using your football gear in either the fixed or moving position. Some of the off-brand knock-offs i've tried have bizarrely shaped openings instead of narrrow holes for your pen. Your pen slips around in the weird shape, much as you described happening with the too big holes in the set for little kids, but once you get used to using them, you see that the slippage is controlled and has a nifty uniform effect on your resulting mandala.

[@MargareteMiller]

Wow, I didn't know that, Carole❣️ Thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to try this 😉👍🏼🩷

[@zahrareaume]

Grew up with Spirograph and loved it. As an adult I had a travel one that I found in a Thrift store but wasn't crazy about it because of the shifting. I saw a full size set not long ago but didn't buy it at the time because I didn't think of using it for journaling. I'll be watching for it now. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

[@MargareteMiller]

The shifting was a huge problem for me as a child. As an adult, I think I just know how to "fix" problems like that a lot better. I know how to troubleshoot until I can come up with a solution. Also, before I was reluctant to use the putty. This time I leaned on it heavily and it did a good job. Most importantly, the metal pieces work so much better than the plastic. 👍🏻❣️🤩

[@russellmiles8783]

TFS. This takes me back to my childhood, too. I still gave my original set - but not the box, unfortunately. Dud you notice the holes in the ring? It's for pinning the outer ring to a corkboard.

[@NoDecaf7]

I enjoy reading about everyone's spirograph experiences. I played with my dad's set from the 70s that my grandma saved, a cheap plastic set, but got bored with it pretty quick in the 90s. I feel like these have regained popularity recently, I see them everywhere all of a sudden!

[@MargareteMiller]

Yep, I do think things come in and out of popularity so maybe that's why you're seeing them show up again now. 👍🏻

[@saskiaseaglass9504]

I definitely had a Spirograph childhood! ❄️ Loved it. I’m glad you mentioned point 1- I remember more successful results came from watching the cogs and concentrating on a smooth movement too! Did you think the shorter pen helped too? I seem to remember that helped control the movement. I love the Spirograph reference book you are creating and your reviews of the products. I am wondering if you could find a suitable water-fast pen/texts to put down the Spirograph design and then use inks or watercolours over the top. That could be fun!

[@MargareteMiller]

I didn't even consider the length of the pen and how that might affect it. You could be right!! I'll go experiment with that the next time I'm using it. THanks! ❣️

[@jennifersparrow816]

I always wanted one as a kid! Time to give myself another loooooong rabbit hole to explore! Thanks, Margarete, for another fun and instructive tutorial!

[@MargareteMiller]

Yay!! Go for it! You're going to have fun playing with it and creating interesting designs and incorporating them with your art 👍🏻

[@sherrydennis2419]

This brought back a lot of memories! Thanks for sharing!

[@MargareteMiller]

Thanks for watching, and I hope you have fun with spirograph again. 😉

[@melissaoverland692]

Hi Margarete, I love Spirograph! I still have my original super Spirograph from 1969! This is a fun and fantastic idea! Love it!!! Hope you are having a wonderful December! 👍✌️❤️😊❄️🎄

[@MargareteMiller]

Oooooh, nice!! What a cool thing to have ❤️🩷💜

[@aprilwicker6611]

I couldn't (as a child) keep the cogs from slipping and jumping, so I gave up on it. I think the metal one might be doable. Maybe I can learn to use it, 60 years later . . . .

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm with you. Those plastic cogs were frustrating for me too.

[@lesliespeers2739]

So fun and I could tell you were excited to play with these. I never had 1 when I was a kid but I see them all the time at the thrift store. Next time I'll get 1 to play with. Fun stuff!! TFS Hugs * L

[@MargareteMiller]

That's so cool you see them all the time at thrift stores! I hope you'll pick up a cool set when you see it. You'll really enjoy playing with one! 😉

[@dleigh4534]

I loved my spirograph that i had as a child. I played with it all the time!! Thanks for posting this.

[@MargareteMiller]

It's fun to have those memories! 😊 So glad you enjoyed this. 💜

[@dleigh4534]

@MargareteMiller i did enjoy this. Now I'm going to buy that die cast one for my inner child. Great idea for our art journals too!!

[@suzannereynolds7748]

Thank you for the fun video, Margaret! I bought a basic Spirograph set on Amazon recently, thinking it would help me with some stitching designs on paper. I've since discovered there are templates on Pinterest for that use but will still enjoy playing with the Spirograph, or letting my grandson enjoy it, as well.

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm so glad your've showed it to your grandson and he's getting to play with it. What an interesting idea to use the designs in sewing! ❤️

[@RoseanneVSabol]

Oh, boy! Another great video and idea, Margarete. Of course, into my Amazon cart it went. I had a spirograph a long time ago but ran out of ideas for using it. These ideas are perfect. Thanks so much.💚

[@MargareteMiller]

THanks, Roseanne, for watching! I hope you have fun with this and you add some of the designs to your lovely collage work! 🩷

[@lole-21ruff63]

Oh!! Monday video? Ok 😊 I’m Loving it.❤ thanks Margarete

[@MargareteMiller]

I know! My schedule is all mixed up 🙃. Too many things happening in December... .

[@lole-21ruff63]

These works as ruberstamps . The Style of Design mean. Great 💡 idea. Inexpensive. ❤

[@MargareteMiller]

Yes, that's true! Good idea 👏🏼. THanks for sharing. 🩷

[@Danielleb723]

Spirographs go hand in hand in my memory bank with those multi colored click pens. That have like 4 or 5 colors.

[@MargareteMiller]

Ah, yes, the Bic pens with the blue barrel and 4 color inks. You're right! 💙

[@pattimcclelland6635]

I used to LOVE Spirograph!!! I was thinking about this a few days ago. I will consider getting one of these again for my adult playing. Thank you for bringing these out.

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm glad I could help bring back some of those fun memories! 🤩

[@wandaspencer9523]

I love this idea. I am on a mission today to find one. Thanks for sharing what you created, and the review on the “tools”😅 . 😊❤

[@MargareteMiller]

Thanks for watching, Wanda! I hope you get a set that you enjoy playing with! 😉❣️👏🏼

[@carlaanderson9495]

Thank you … I was literally just thinking about how to get Spirograph in my sketchbook and art journals. And your video came up I my feed.

[@MargareteMiller]

That's so cool! Isn't it amazing how inspiration comes when you need it! 💜

[@michelel3372]

I LOVED my Spirograph back in the late 60's. Back then it came with pins that were used to hold the wheel down. (not a good idea for a child's toy!) I have been looking at them and wanting to get one, but wondering how I would use it in my projects. You provided great ideas so now I can get one! Also I love that you tried out several ... that takes the guess work out of which to pick!! Thanks so much! ❤

[@Lari-lc3zq]

I also used pins as a child and honestly I think children over a certain age are entirely capable of learning to use pins safely. I certainly was never harmed by them.

[@gloriawagner9405]

These all have a wow factor, I'm going to start looking for one. May have to get the kids to explain lol

[@irynaborisova2604]

Fun! My spirograph was the most frustrating of all - the outer ring was held with pins! The accompanying pens ran out too quickly and I couldn't find replacements with tips long and thin enough! 🥴

[@MargareteMiller]

When I was doing research about the original production of the first toys, I read about the pins being used to hold the ring. I have to admit the putty is a much better idea 😉👍🏻🩷

[@kellercrucita550]

In the 70’s I usted to play with spirograph and it was so funny😊!

[@MargareteMiller]

Yep, just like me! They are fun to play with 🩷

[@juliebey8240]

I’ve seen the designs but was not familiar with the Spirograph instrument (?). I may have to add it to my Christmas list! Thanks for the inspo Margarete😊

[@MargareteMiller]

You’re welcome!! I hope you do get one and play with it. There are so many fun things you can create with them 😉❣️👍🏼

[@annamarielewis7078]

Me too. I have a few different ones.

[@MargareteMiller]

So cool!! I wish I would have found one sooner! 😉❣️👍🏼

[@wr1973]

Fantastic, thankiu so much for the idea 💡✨

[@MargareteMiller]

You're welcome!! 😉

[@stanleydrive740]

Hi! I have my set from the 70s! 😊

[@MargareteMiller]

Awesome! It's time to get it out 😉👍🏻🩷

[@robynslater974]

Had one as a kid 50 yrs ago and loved it, brought a delux (plastic)Spiro Set 3yrs ago to revisit making design's BUT couldn't keep discs from slipping, which buggered my designs ahh so frustrating and I gave Up On it 🤬 Just wish I could get it right, so I can enjoy the pattern making process again 🙏

[@MargareteMiller]

I hear you, Robyn, the slipping is such a frustrating problem. I'll say that the die cast pieces are much more sturdy and work well with the putty. That set was my favorite. The Animator set works pretty well, too, because holding the ring steady is easier than with the original plastic ring. 💜

[@lauriescraftingloft]

I had a spirograph in the 1970's and I have a small kit now!.They are so much fun! Margarete, PLEASE print a list of prompts for 2025. I will be lost without it. There are only two weeks left of the year.

[@MargareteMiller]

I'm working on them right now, Laurie!! 🩷

[@lauriescraftingloft]

@@MargareteMillercan I help in any way?❤❤❤

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you! In the late 1960s\ early1970s, Spirograph was the "must have toy," well, it was for me, but, when "Santa" brought me one, I quickly became frustrated with the flaws you pointed out. and with no one to help me learn, I quickly became frustrated (one of my larger flaws) and gave up. But, with the tips you have provided, I want to try again. The designs would be great for the backs of ATCs.😊

[@MargareteMiller]

This certainly frustrated me as a child. Now as an adult I am better able to deal with fussy problems if they arise, and adapt. I think that would be the case for you, too, and you could definitely get good results from it now. I do recommend the die cast set, though. They are more sturdy than the plastic 👍🏼❣️⭐️

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

@MargareteMiller Thank you! I agree that the sturdier die cast is better, but, I am slightly seduced by the set that can do rectangular borders. But, as you pointed out, the larger holes would be problematic. Did you purchase your sets online or in shops? Thank you!

[@matchablossm4416]

I used to play with a set i found at a half price books! I struggled with keeping them in place too, but I'm wondering if using these on a silicone mat or non slip mat would help with this 🤔 ty for sharing! I may try to see if I can get some again 😄

[@MargareteMiller]

Yes, there is ways to troubleshoot this problem. A silicon mat sounds good. You’d have to have the right sized paper, though, for the ring to have contact with the mat. You’ll figure it out, I’m sure 👍🏼❣️⭐️

[@toycarpgmr]

I still have the original Spirograph in its original box

[@MargareteMiller]

Wow! Amazing!! 💜

[@LenyKloosterman-r8n]

Cool! I had one lying around somewhere, the only thing I need now are new pens. And maybe you could try something like a mandala designer too. We have a few in our toy library so I'm gonna borrow one and try it next time I visit :)

[@MargareteMiller]

Great idea! A mandala designer sounds so cool! 👍🏼

[@LenyKloosterman-r8n]

​@@MargareteMiller I'll let you know😊

[@karinbingham5470]

I asked for one for Christmas. 😂

[@MargareteMiller]

Sounds like a great thing to ask for 😉❣️👍🏼

[@juliewelsh1504]

I still have my 1970's Spirograph - it was a Christmas present. I pull it out now and then for collage. The last one I did I used neon Gelly Roll markers on black paper which had a cool effect. I'll send some pics. Great video - thought you didn't actually say it I think the first set was your fave?

[@MargareteMiller]

Gelli Roll markets are in my list. Neon sounds so cool! 😉❣️👍🏼

[@PeachesandMoss]

I used to love my set as a girl.

[@MargareteMiller]

Nice! Good memories to have 🩷

[@lindaroane4306]

What are those green clips you used in your mini book

[@MargareteMiller]

Linda, can you note the time in the video that you saw it? I'm not sure to what you are referring. Thanks.

[@PatWalden]

❤❤❤

[@melbrownecraftingpodcast4771]

How about drawing a Spirograph design onto tissue paper? When it’s stuck into your glue book, the background would disappear. If you stuck it to a background that you wouldn’t be able to draw straight onto, it could look quite cool

[@MargareteMiller]

This is such a good idea❣️ You'd have to be super careful not to tear the tissue paper (use a light touch), but I like that idea of it melting into the background of your piece of art. Thanks for sharing 👏🏼🩷🤩

[@paulinewhite3273]

Lovely to watch, but I think I’ll give this gadget a miss, I have so much stuff in my craft supplies, it’s overwhelming. Enjoyable nevertheless. Thank you.

[@MargareteMiller]

Good for you for prioritizing your time and what you want to work on, Pauline. Thanks for watching! 💜