Durham Tech Virtual Crafternoon: Paper Stars!
It's time for another virtual Crafternoon! Crafternoons are a partnership between the Durham Tech Student Government Association and the Library.
Today, I'll walk through how to make paper stars, which--depending on the size of paper you use-- can be used as a decorative wreath or just decoration. Heck, if you want to make a lot of them, you can even make a paper star garland!
Do you want six pages of scrapbook paper to make your own paper star wreath? We have some scrapbook paper kits available for current students to pick up at the Main Campus Library. Request your paper through our Wufoo form-- current students only, please.
Let's begin!
Here's what you need (just the basic supplies)--
- 6 pieces of paper, any size, cut into a square or already square
- Staples/a stapler [this is what I'm going to use], glue, or tape, depending on how thick your paper is-- larger and/or thicker paper needs something stronger to keep it together
- Scissors
You may want to develop your own work flow for this.
Take your sheet of square paper and you're going to fold it corner to corner to make a triangle.
See? Triangle.
Fold it again in half to make a smaller triangle.
You will then have three sides (because triangle): on the side that is open-but-folded, cut through in about 1" strips at a slight angle. You'll want to leave about 1" uncut at the crease, but may need to cut in further with the smallest cut (4).
You can measure if it makes you feel better, but I usually eyeball it. Make sure to cut through all the paper. (You can use these first cuts as a template for the other pages if you want.)
Unfold your piece of paper.
You're going to join the corners you've created-- A to A is probably the hardest one to staple because it's smaller. If the stapler won't fit in the loop, feel free to use tape. Remember it's paper, so you can reshape it gently.
Flip the paper over and join the next inner corners (B to B). I usually overlap about halfway.
Flip the paper over again and join the next corners (C to C).
Flip the paper over again and join the next corners (D to D).
Finish joining the corners (E to E). and this is how it should look.
Repeat the process 5 more times so you have 6 in total.
I lay out my pieces so that the larger loop and smaller loop are lined up (D to E). If you're doing different colors or patterns, this gives you a chance to arrange your wreath. You don't have to line it up this way.
In order to begin to create the wreath, you are going to first join the pieces in the center.
Remember: This is paper, so you're going to have to gently smoosh the pieces as you join all the center points.
Line up the center points and staple (one will usually do)-- it doesn't have to be perfect, but line them up as best you can.
Once you've joined the center, you're going to connect the different pieces. At the place where D and E meet, you're going to staple these
These points should line up pretty closely (don't force it, but you can manipulate it). and the staple will help to structure the wreath.
Staple all the pieces together between D and E until the wreath is complete.
Done!
To hang, loop string between two or three of the loops on the back. Be a little gentle-- it is paper, after all!
A note about paper-- The 12" x 12" scrapbook paper (available at your local craft store or online) is a good size for the larger star, and one pack will get you several completed stars. The double-sided colored paper is more expensive, but makes a lovely star. You can also use magazine pages or printer paper. Cardstock might be too thick, but try it if you want. Construction paper is a little too flimsy, so I don't recommend it, but it's certainly doable if it's the only thing you have.
Remember those book pages you may have left over from our summer blackout poetry Crafternoon? You can use 6 of them (cut into a square) for this!
A note about fasteners or adhesives-- The thicker the paper, the sturdier the fastening needs to be. For scrapbook paper, staples or something equally as sturdy should be used. Glue can be used, but will need to be held in place while it dries so the paper adheres firmly. For thinner papers, a glue stick will work fine. Tape loops (to be invisible) might work, but sometimes will come unfastened on thicker paper. Just be aware.
Share pictures of your paper stars with us on Facebook, Instagram, or by emailing them to us at library @ durhamtech dot edu.