I have always been deeply attracted to the Spongey Jumpers, but not their
price tags...so I decided to build my own.  Very easy, less than $5.00 for
one.  Five lousy *Canadian* dollars actually got me the materials to build
FIVE!
 
If you don't know what a Spongey Jumper is, is sort of the ferret
equivalent of a tire swing.
 
This is what you need for "beginners" size:
 
1             16"x16"x1"  foam chair pad (cost me $1.40)
              (go larger for larger fuzzies, see later note)
20 cm/8 in.   Stretch nylon (this is a hybrid between swimsuit
              material and windbreaker material.  Straight nylon or
              heavier material will work, too, but the stretch stuff
              is easy to use;  $3.99/m, $3.49/yd) (0.5m / 2/3yd builds 5)
45 cm/18 in.  2.5 cm/1" elastic ($0.99)
 
Use a heavy ruler, level, long board, or what have you, and a razor blade to
cut off a 10cm/3" strip from the foam pad.  Scissors do a lousy job.  You
have been warned.
 
Cut a 20cm x 45cm/8" x 18" piece of stretch nylon.  With a 12mm/0.5" seam,
fold the fabric lengthwise (giving a 4" x 18" strip) and sew the long side
together.  (i.e.  the line you are sewing is half an inch from the open
edge).
 
Turn the strip inside out, and pull the foam inside it.  Center the seam
in the middle of one side of the foam as you pull it through.
 
Sew one end of the foam-filled fabric tube closed.
 
Tuck sewn end into unsewn end; fold over fabric that remains on outside for
a finished edge.  Reccommended: have the seam centered on the *outside* of
the foam ring.  This gives a bit of structural support, keeping the spongey
round.  Top-stich the seam if you want extra support, too.  Oops, shoulda
mentioned that earlier ;-)
 
Double the 1" elastic and tuck the cut ends into the finished edge opening.
Run the whole thing through the sewing machine through the folded edge,
elastic, foam, whatever.  It doesn't matter if the foam gets flattened here.
 
La voila!  Spongey!  This spongey fits a juvenile/female (to 2.5 lbs.)
(Well, the interior diameter is 4"; you tell me ;-) what fits through!) For
a larger ferret, increase the length of the foam piece 3" for every inch
inner diameter wanted (approx.) The fabric is simply cut 2" longer than the
foam length.  I would also probably widen the foam strip and fabric width by
0.5" and 1" respectively for every 6" you add to the length of the foam to
stay proportionate.  Remember, this means you need another inch of fabric,
so buy accordingly...or at least buy a bit more than you need.
 
If your elastic is too long for your cage, tie a knot in it to shorten it.
Fasten to cage ceiling with a clip incorporated around the elastic, a key
ring, a hitch knot, or one of those metal rings used to fasten together
clumps of paper.
 
Other fabrics that would work well include an old nylon duffel bag,
heavyweight nylon, canvas, stretch jean material, old jeans.  Remember, your
life is slightly easier with *slightly* stretchy fabrics.  Terrycloth would
probably catch the fuzzy's nails, as this toy incites mania.
 
If you're interested in this idea and my directions have totally confused
you, mail me.  Try this project...it's pretty neat.
 
Lynn, Nic, and newly named "Dodger"
 
Special thanks to the Weasel Warriors for suggesting the handle "Artful
Dodger" for my fuzzy...after the kingpin of the pickpockets in Dicken's
_Oliver Twist_...and thanks to all for many other great suggestions.
[Posted in FML issue 1444]
[Posted in FML issue 1444]