Make Lucky Paper Stars
Exquisite little paper stars can be used for decorations, jewelry, craft projects and gift giving. They're very easy to make, and they're a fun way to recycle a bit of junk mail into something colorful and decorative. If you want to make your own lucky paper stars, see Step 1 to get started.
Steps
- Cut a long, narrow strip of paper about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} wide and as long as whatever page you are cutting.
- Tie a simple knot (of the same kind that you would use to tie your shoes) at one end. Then:
- Cross the ends of the strips and pull one end through the loop that forms. If you want the color from a particular end of the strip, tie the knot at the other end. Don't twist the paper, just loop it.
- Gently tighten the knot, then gently pull the knot without creasing or squeezing the strip of paper.
- When all the edges are in contact, press it down and crease. You should have a pentagon with a long end and a short end sticking out.
- Fold the short end over, following the edges of the pentagon, so that it does not stick out. If there's a little more than a pentagon width, you can tear it off or fold it under and tuck it in.
- Wrap the long end around and around the pentagon, following the edges and the folds. The result should be a fatter pentagon. Fold so that the color you want faces out, if the two sides of the strip are different.
- Tuck in the loose end. If there is a little too much, fold it over or tear it off before tucking it in.
- Pinch each corner or push in the edges to puff the star up.
- Use the stars for display.
- Make a whole bunch of these and display them in a jar or clear glass.
- Display them mixed with confetti or tinsel as part of the party decorations on a table.
- Work a needle and thread or string through opposite corners to string them together as a garland or necklace. You could combine them with paper beads or other elements on the same string.
Tips
- It will help to use a paper cutter, or at least a ruler, to get nice, straight strips. If you have neither, fold the paper over and cut along the fold with scissors to get the strips as straight as you can.
- Use old bits of wrapping paper for a nice effect, especially if you mix the papers up - you can also put all your stars together into a jar and give it to someone you love.
- Fold the stars loosely, so that it's easier to puff up them up.
- You can also buy the paper especially made for this at some stores.
- If you want to make a lot of these for a larger project, cut a bunch of strips of paper all at once. Leave them by the phone, computer, or TV, or make a travel size craft kit (take some with you). Do a few at a time.
- If you are making them for special occasions, try to stick to the right colors.
- You can use it for Christmas tree decoration or keep it on top of a pinecone Christmas tree.
Warnings
- Take care not to nick yourself with a paper edge.
- Use scissors responsibly. Children should be supervised when cutting paper.
Things You'll Need
- Paper – magazine and catalog pages you were going to throw out are great, since they're fairly soft, thin paper and provide a wealth of bright colors. You're using narrow enough strips so that most designs will just show up as colors when you're done.
- Scissors and a ruler or a paper cutter
- A glass, box, or jar (optional) in which to display a collection
- Needle and thread or string
