Finnish Paper Star

This paper star from Finland has been a tradition to make every Christmas in our Finnish-Canadian family. My father taught me to make this, and I am happy to share it with all of you!

The Finnish Paper Star can be made in various sizes and can be used as a ceiling decoration, a Christmas Tree ornament or even as a Christmas Tree Topper! If you make it with glitter paper (as I did) you will have an extra sparkly decoration for  your home.

It is so easy to make, with only a few basic tools, that you may find yourself making a whole tree full or room full of these beautiful decorations.

Lets get started.

Step 1 Materials

Paper (Almost any kind of paper will work for this craft. I used a 12" x 12" scrapbook paper sheet from a dollar store.)
Pencil
Eraser (If you plan to make mistakes.)
Ruler
Scissors
Glue (I used a fast dry liquid.)
String (To hang.)

Optional: You may want to use some clothes pins or paper clips to hold the ends you glue until they have dried.

Comments

[sunshiine]

This is beautiful! Could you make this smaller for an embellishment on a package? Or would it be too intricate?

[canucksgirl]

Thank you!

It can easily be made smaller. This design is VERY accommodating for various sizes. - I mention this in the "Introduction" Step. To make an ornament size you will need 12 strips that are 1/2" wide and 6 inches long. If you want to make it even smaller, cut out 12 strips that are 3/8" wide and only 5 inches long. That should work out very well for a package.

Then simply follow the directions in my instructable. No matter what sized strips you use, the directions to assemble it are the same.

Enjoy and thanks for commenting.

[Jbasket]

I'm trying to authenticate this is a Finnish Star or snowflake. I know it is, but all I can locate online is my Mother taught me or I grew up with these. I have searched and searched trying to prove they were made in the same style you are displaying. I would appreciate any documentation you can share or where I should be looking to prove they truly were created before 1986.

Thank you

[canucksgirl]

Tough question. :) No one in my family can say for certain where this came from, as with many things, you learn them from someone else... However, I did some research and I did find that this project is included in a book called Home Made Christmas. The book wasn't very popular (as I read elsewhere), but someone specifically mentioned that the instructions for this star is in the book. Maybe you can find it through your local library, and then check the authors sources for the craft projects. Chances are the author has a reference to another source. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but that's about all I can suggest. Good Luck with your research. Let me know what you find out. I'm intrigued now. :)

[sunshiine]

Oh wonderful! I will use this for embellishments and gifts. I did reply by the way. Pm me again. Sunshiine

[capricorn]

Thank you :) there were a lot of those during Christmas of my childhood, but never found out how to make them.

[canucksgirl]

You are welcome! I'm glad I could help. :D

[canucksgirl]

Merry Christmas Everyone!

[susanrm]

This is really gorgeous!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you. Its pretty easy to make too.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is beautiful! The paper you chose goes so well with the design!

[canucksgirl]

Well thank you! It did turn out nice with this paper. (Maybe not so nice if I had cut the strips the other way?)