Handmade Holidays: 3-D Paper Snowflakes
December 12, 2012
“Snowflakes spill from heaven’s hand
Lovely and chaste like smooth white sand.
A veil of wonder laced in light
Falling gently on a winter’s night.”
–Linda A. Copp
Several years ago one of the gift wrappers at the University Bookstore in Seattle was making these holiday snowflakes (or they could be stars, I guess). She gave me a photocopied set of instructions, original source unknown. I’ve been meaning to make some of these snowflakes for holiday decorations, but until now, I never got around to it.
My finished snowflake hangs in my kitchen window, a lacy wonder that lets in the light.
Here are step-by-step instructions for making your own paper snowflake/star:
You need six square of paper. I used 5 x 5-inch squares. Fold each square in half along the diagonal, making a triangle. Then fold in half again. And again.
Now, keeping the little triangles folded, cut four parallel slits on the solid side. Cut almost all the way across.
Open each piece of paper back into a square and flatten with your fingers.
Next you will bring two opposite points of the inner squares together in a sequence. In order to do this, you will first have to cut the corners free along one long diagonal fold line. (Leave the other points/corners so that they are not cut all the way through.)
Starting with the smallest inner square, fold two opposite points together and tape into a cylindrical shape.
1. Turn the square over. 2. Bring the opposite points of the next larger square together and tape. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all of the opposing points have been taped in the center.
Your square should now look like this. You need five more. Start folding and taping!
Once you have completed all six sections of the snowflake, take three and match up at a point. Staple at this point. Repeat with the other three sections.
That’s it! Your paper snowflake/star is complete.
December 12, 2012 at 6:11 am
I think I could do this! I downloaded some instructions for fancy paper snowflakes and gave up – my spatial whatever isn’t so good. But this is understandable – once I have all my holiday chores done I may give it a try, and I’m going to share the post with some of my craftier friends.
December 12, 2012 at 10:10 am
Let me know how yours turns out. Good luck!
December 12, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Reblogged this on the green buddha company.
December 13, 2012 at 8:01 pm
I just did these with my second graders! One of the other teachers gave me the directions last year. They are definitely impressive when finished.
July 24, 2013 at 8:24 am
Pretty and good illustrations Thank you for such pretty ideas