Introduction: Paper Roll Snowflakes

About: I love creating. I love ART in all its forms. I am a daughter of the 50s, born in 1992. I had the pleasure to be a Featured Author on this fabulous site, and you can read my interview here: https://www.instr…

I made these snowflakes last year to decorate the walls of the entrance during Christmas time...they ended up staying attached to the wall during the whole year and they are still there! :D
Everybody seems to like them whenever they visit and they can't believe how fast and simple they are to make!
I'm sure that everybody has the materials needed for this project at home. All of them are upcycled.

This is something that you can do with children, I bet you'll have fun!
This technique is very used to create wall arts, you can create so many different shapes! You'll be able to find many if you search a little on the internet, but making up your own is so much funnier! The main "ingredient" is paper rolls! :D

Step 1: What You Need

  • 1 or 2 paper rolls (depending on how big it is)
  • cardstock
  • aluminium foil
  • hot glue
  • stick glue
  • silver spray paint

Step 2: Divide the Paper Roll in Sections

First of all you have to flatten your paper roll(s) a little.
Now, starting from one side, measure 1,5cm (0.59 inches) and trace a line.
Continue to trace lines keeping the same distance until you reach the other end.

This way you have divided the roll in many thin sections.
Cut all of them using scissors.

I'm going to show you how I made my biggest snowflake, so you'll need 14 sections for this one. You may need less or more depending on the shape you want to create.

Step 3: Compose the Snowflake

Now that you have all the pieces ready, you can start playing with them composing the shape you like!

I placed 7 sections next to each other forming something that resembles a flower.
Use hot glue to join the pieces together on their sides.

Finally, I attached the remaining 7 pieces between the "petals" that I glued before.

Simple, isn't it? :)

Step 4: Paint the Snowflake

Now, using silver spray paint, paint your whole snowflake structure.

If you are going to do this keeping the snowflake with your fingers, make sure to wear a plastic glove otherwise you'll end up having a silver hand for a while :D
In case you want to lay it somewhere instead, make sure to protect the surface with some paper so that you won't paint EVERYTHING!

Let it dry for about a half hour, or as long as your paint needs to dry completely.

Step 5: Cut the Base

Get a piece of cardstock that is bigger than the snowflake.
It can be anything you don't need anymore, it doesn't matter what is on it because you'll cover it later.

Lay your snowflake on the cardstock, trace its outline and cut it.

Step 6: Cover the Base

You need a piece of aluminium foil now that is bigger than the snowflake.
Alumium foil is very smooth when new: gently crumple it up a little, being careful not to break it.
Once the foil has enough crackles, open it up again.

I know it looks like you've ruined it, but these crackles will give a better effect to the snowflake and it will reflect light in a nicer way.

Glue the cardstock snowflake on the back of the crackled foil using stick glue and cut out the exceeding aluminium around it.
If you can, leave a few millimiters of foil around and fold it up on the back of the cardstock.
This way the edges will look more refined.

Step 7: Join the Parts Together...

Now all you have to do is gluing the snowflake structure on the aluminium foil base, always using hot glue.
I put little drops of glue where the cardboard pieces meet each other on the back, making them less visible from the front.
For the outside edges, I put a very thin layer of glue.

The snowflake is done!! I attached mine on the wall with some scotch tape on the back.
Now you can make many others just like this one or create new ones. I believe that making up different shapes is so much fun! :)

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