What can I make with Rig-a-Jig?


Rig-A-Jig creationsI love old toys, as my friends know. So I wasn't surprised when one brought me a box of "Rig-A-Jig," a plastic construction playset similar to TinkerToys. It was invented in the mid-50s by a Mr. L.E. Carson to amuse his sick son, Larry. 


Rig-A-Jig comes with a set of flat plastic shapes -- oval, triangle, square, rectangle, diamond, and hexagon -- in bright colors. Red translucent tubes connect the pieces to make all sorts of moveable toys. 
Rig-A-Jig vintage toy
In my box, all the shapes were like new; alas, the red tubes were chewed at both ends. A small dog or pensive child? No matter, my inner child immediately came out to play.

One of the first things I made was a kind of twirling top. From my stash, I pulled some round translucent discs and white plastic flanges.
Rig-A-Jig creation
This made me think of a dangly, whirling thing I could hang in the window. 
Rig-A-Jig creations
Next, I tried weaving wire, beads and thread round the slotted edges of the shapes. For some designs, I broke off a few tabs or cut the piece in half. I think I like the purple and orange one best. It looks a little like the Evil Eye.
Rig-A-Jig creations
But could I turn Rig-A-Jigs into fashion? Earrings seemed an obvious choice. This pair looks vaguely Native American.
Rig-A-Jig earrings
These look like snowflakes, I think.
Rig-A-Jig earrings
I haven't made wire jewelry in awhile, so I got to practice my wire-wrapping skills, which had become quite rusty (as you can see from the sorry-looking rings around the beads below).
Rig-A-Jig earrings
How about something more utilitarian and less ornamental? Like a key chain or luggage tag. 
Rig-A-Jig earrings
After a few hours of playing with my Rig-A-Jig, I got ambitious. I fished out some polymer beads I'd made ages go and tried wrapping them to the jigs. This one is a punk-rock brooch called "Angry Heart."
Rig-A-Jig earrings
Next I tried a couple of pendants. This one, because of its oval shape, reminds me of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Rig-A-Jig earrings
I strung the pendant below on a ball chain. The bead is designed to look like turquoise. Maybe I'll call it "Ice Cold Heart." Or, less sinister, "Blue S'More" since the brown jig looks like a squashed Herhey's Kiss.
Rig-A-Jig earrings
Of course, my inner child couldn't resist making some silly playmates. Can you tell what these are?
Rig-A-Jig earrings
If you want to try making some of your own Rig-A-Jig creations, you can find sets online here.


Comments

  1. Oh what fun! I don't ever remember that toy.

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  2. We had rig-a-jigs when we were kids. Love the ideas of what to do with them now.

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