MRNMSA: Bubble Wands from Martha Stewart

Blowing the perfect bubble depends on equal parts science and magic.

With a few twists of wire, you can make fantastic bubble wands and spend long, lazy days practicing your technique.

The best bubble solution is 10 cups water to 4 cups dish-washing liquid, plus 1 cup Karo corn syrup.

For large wands, you'll need plastic-coated wire coat hangers and either floral netting or plastic-coated chicken wire.

Hold the hook at the top of the hanger, and pull the bottom down so that it forms a circle.

Cut away the hook and twisted neck of the hanger with wire cutters; you should have about a 31-inch length of wire.

With needle-nose pliers, twist a tiny hook into one end of the wire.

Bend that end around, and hook it on the wire about 9 inches from the opposite end, forming a 7-inch-diameter circle.

Squeeze the hook with pliers to fasten, and straighten the end to form a handle.

Cut an 8-inch-diameter circle of floral netting. With pliers, fold the netting's edge tightly around the frame, snipping off any sharp ends.

For small wands, use 18-gauge cloth-covered wire cut to a length of 15 inches.

Bend the wire into a lollipop shape, securing the end of the wire where the loop meets the handle with a dab of glue.

To make a star, divide the circle into five even increments, then crimp with pliers.

To make a heart, crimp only the top center of the circle.

A tin can, with its top and bottom removed, also makes great bubbles -- carefully trim any sharp edges,

dip one end in solution, and pull through the air to make one long bubble.

MRNMSA