This guest post on making geodisic paper ornaments is from Chel Micheline. This is a super fun project that I think you'll want to try! There are so many possibilities once you've got the basic technique!
Supplies:
- 2 or more sheets of paper (cardstock weight or thicker)
- Cutting tool (I used Sizzix #113472 Circle 3-D Ornament die in my Cuttlebug– but a circle punch, craft knife, scissors, etc. will work fine)
- Adhesive (I use Aleen's Fast Tack but double stick tape or even a stapler would be fine)
Begin by cutting 20 circles out of your favorite paper. I used Basic Grey's "Mistletoe & Pear" and K & Company's "Swell Noel." The trick with this ornament is to use HEAVY paper- the heavier the better. Cardstock weight patterned paper is great- the thin paper that comes in stacks or origami paper? Not so great.
You can use thinner sheets of paper, but back each sheet with some heavier paper first, otherwise when it comes time to actually construct the ornament, you will get so frustrated you will throw it out the window before you finish it. Trust me, the first few of these I made, I attempted to use wrapping paper. Hours later, I gave up and stomped away from my desk in tears. I still eye my pretty origami paper from time to time with these ornaments in mind, but I all I have to do is remember "the Day of Ornament Frustration" and I am reminded WHY I have to use cardstock.
Back to *this* ornament: I used my Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Circle 3-D die, but a circle punch would work fine, as would a careful hand and some scissors.
Note: If you aren't using the Sizzix die, which embosses folding lines into your circles, you are going to have to create the folds yourself. There's two ways of doing this – either eyeball it (which generally works, but things can get wonky) or use the template I'm including with this tutorial – simply size it in Photoshop or Word so that the circle is the same size as the one you've punched out.
Fold along the triangular folding lines of each circle, so you make a little "cup" out of them. The folds should be TOWARDS the side of the paper you want to be on the outside of the ornament.
Now for basic ornament construction – the ornament will have 5 circles on the top, 10 in the middle, and 5 on the bottom. I like to organize my circles BEFORE I begin construction so I don't end up with two same – pattern circles bumped up against each other when the ornament is complete. Regardless, it REALLY helps if you organize your circles into a group of 5, a group of 10, and a group of 5.
Begin constructing the top of your ornament- simply glue the flaps together to create a little "cap." When flipped upside down, it looks like a little flower.
Repeat this for the bottom of your ornament – 5 circles together to form another cap.
For the center of your ornament, glue the 10 remaining circles together to form a chain.
When the center chain is dry dry, attach one end of the chain to the other, making a bangle shape. This will be the foundation of your ornament.
Now, place some glue on the outside edges of the top cap of the ornament, and affix it to the outside edges of the center of the ornament.
When that is dry, repeat with the bottom cap.
You'll end up with a completed ornament. You can do a lot of things with this guy: spritz it with glimmer mist, ink the edges with gold ink, or use a gold leafing pen or some Stickles. When it's all done there are two ways to make a hanger: (1) thread a ribbon through the entire thing top-to-bottom or (2) punch a hole through one of the flaps and thread a ribbon through it.
Here's one I made a few months ago, using hand-painted/stamped paper and with the edges stamped in gold ink:
Chel Micheline is a jewelry designer who lives in Marco Island, Florida with her husband and daughter. When she's not in her art studio, she's hanging out with her little zoo of pets, gardening, hanging out in museums, writing book reviews, volunteering at the local cat shelter, sneaking in naps, or swimming.
Blog: Ginger Blue
How fun! perfect for the tree. Thanks!
How fun! perfect for the tree. Thanks!
How fun! perfect for the tree. Thanks!
How fun! perfect for the tree. Thanks!
So very cool!!
So very cool!!
So very cool!!
So very cool!!
SO much eye candy…so little time. Love every single project I have seen here. I cannot wait to try making them!
SO much eye candy…so little time. Love every single project I have seen here. I cannot wait to try making them!
SO much eye candy…so little time. Love every single project I have seen here. I cannot wait to try making them!
SO much eye candy…so little time. Love every single project I have seen here. I cannot wait to try making them!
Beautiful tutorial. Thank You!
Beautiful tutorial. Thank You!
Beautiful tutorial. Thank You!
Beautiful tutorial. Thank You!
I would like to use old Christmas cards for the paper. Would that work?
I would like to use old Christmas cards for the paper. Would that work?
I would like to use old Christmas cards for the paper. Would that work?
I would like to use old Christmas cards for the paper. Would that work?
Sounds like a great idea!
Sounds like a great idea!
Sounds like a great idea!
Sounds like a great idea!
merci pour vos fabuleuses idées ♥
merci pour vos fabuleuses idées ♥
merci pour vos fabuleuses idées ♥
merci pour vos fabuleuses idées ♥
Just a treasure. I keep coming back and looking, want to make these precious little gems but never seem to find the right time . I know I will do it, so will copy the directions for my reference. Maybe if it’s right here in front of me, I will be incentasized, (my word)and just do it. I have a choice of the right card papers or maybe they are called something else, but I have the paper, all I need is to get started. Thank you for such a lovely site and suggestions and stuff. Love it all.
Just a treasure. I keep coming back and looking, want to make these precious little gems but never seem to find the right time . I know I will do it, so will copy the directions for my reference. Maybe if it’s right here in front of me, I will be incentasized, (my word)and just do it. I have a choice of the right card papers or maybe they are called something else, but I have the paper, all I need is to get started. Thank you for such a lovely site and suggestions and stuff. Love it all.
Just a treasure. I keep coming back and looking, want to make these precious little gems but never seem to find the right time . I know I will do it, so will copy the directions for my reference. Maybe if it’s right here in front of me, I will be incentasized, (my word)and just do it. I have a choice of the right card papers or maybe they are called something else, but I have the paper, all I need is to get started. Thank you for such a lovely site and suggestions and stuff. Love it all.
Just a treasure. I keep coming back and looking, want to make these precious little gems but never seem to find the right time . I know I will do it, so will copy the directions for my reference. Maybe if it’s right here in front of me, I will be incentasized, (my word)and just do it. I have a choice of the right card papers or maybe they are called something else, but I have the paper, all I need is to get started. Thank you for such a lovely site and suggestions and stuff. Love it all.
Mary, it is a perfect way to use old Christmas cards. I do this with my class (middle elementary) using old cards. The best part is watching which part of the card the kids choose to use.
Mary, it is a perfect way to use old Christmas cards. I do this with my class (middle elementary) using old cards. The best part is watching which part of the card the kids choose to use.
Mary, it is a perfect way to use old Christmas cards. I do this with my class (middle elementary) using old cards. The best part is watching which part of the card the kids choose to use.
Mary, it is a perfect way to use old Christmas cards. I do this with my class (middle elementary) using old cards. The best part is watching which part of the card the kids choose to use.
I’m making these now. Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! They’re going really well. What did you use to stamp the edges gold on the blue/green ornament?
Dee
I’m making these now. Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! They’re going really well. What did you use to stamp the edges gold on the blue/green ornament?
Dee
I’m making these now. Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! They’re going really well. What did you use to stamp the edges gold on the blue/green ornament?
Dee
I’m making these now. Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! They’re going really well. What did you use to stamp the edges gold on the blue/green ornament?
Dee
Out of curiosity, how did you thread the ribbon through the entire ornament in that last example?
I have made several, and am stymied at how to do so.
Out of curiosity, how did you thread the ribbon through the entire ornament in that last example?
I have made several, and am stymied at how to do so.
Out of curiosity, how did you thread the ribbon through the entire ornament in that last example?
I have made several, and am stymied at how to do so.
Out of curiosity, how did you thread the ribbon through the entire ornament in that last example?
I have made several, and am stymied at how to do so.
What size circle are these? I would love to make these but want to know what I’m in for in terms of size!
What size circle are these? I would love to make these but want to know what I’m in for in terms of size!
What size circle are these? I would love to make these but want to know what I’m in for in terms of size!
What size circle are these? I would love to make these but want to know what I’m in for in terms of size!
I used scrapbook paper and a hot glue gun. I thought I was making a small one but it’s pretty big. Totally beautiful!
I used scrapbook paper and a hot glue gun. I thought I was making a small one but it’s pretty big. Totally beautiful!
I used scrapbook paper and a hot glue gun. I thought I was making a small one but it’s pretty big. Totally beautiful!
I used scrapbook paper and a hot glue gun. I thought I was making a small one but it’s pretty big. Totally beautiful!
These are absolutely stunning
These are absolutely stunning
These are absolutely stunning
These are absolutely stunning
It would have been educational if you included the math lesson that gets the whole job started.
It would have been educational if you included the math lesson that gets the whole job started.
It would have been educational if you included the math lesson that gets the whole job started.
It would have been educational if you included the math lesson that gets the whole job started.
Sure. She also could have included a lesson on how paper is made. Super educational. Or perhaps the history of how ornaments came to be. Its always amazing to me that people like you have the time to complain about free lessons being given to you. And yet you dont have the time to create any kinds of resources for others. If thats a lesson you want, make it. Post it.
Sure. She also could have included a lesson on how paper is made. Super educational. Or perhaps the history of how ornaments came to be. Its always amazing to me that people like you have the time to complain about free lessons being given to you. And yet you dont have the time to create any kinds of resources for others. If thats a lesson you want, make it. Post it.
Sure. She also could have included a lesson on how paper is made. Super educational. Or perhaps the history of how ornaments came to be. Its always amazing to me that people like you have the time to complain about free lessons being given to you. And yet you dont have the time to create any kinds of resources for others. If thats a lesson you want, make it. Post it.
Sure. She also could have included a lesson on how paper is made. Super educational. Or perhaps the history of how ornaments came to be. Its always amazing to me that people like you have the time to complain about free lessons being given to you. And yet you dont have the time to create any kinds of resources for others. If thats a lesson you want, make it. Post it.