Finnish Paper Star

Intro: Finnish Paper Star

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.

STEP 2: Introduction

I have selected a sheet of scrapbook paper that is 12" x 12" (purchased in a pkg from a dollar store).

I will show you how to make a large hanging decoration. Using a ruler I measured out 12 strips that are 12 inches long and 3/4" wide. 

If you want to make an ornament sized star, make all 12 strips 6 inches long and only 1/2" wide.

You have a lot of flexibility when making this paper craft, so measure strips for the size of star you wish to have.

Once you have measured 12 equal sized strips you will need to cut them out.

The remaining instructions are very easy to follow no matter what size you decide.

STEP 3: Making the Finnish Paper Star

Take 6 of your 12 strips and weave them as shown. (See photo 1 notes for more information on how to weave.) Ensure that the point where the strips intersect is the center. (Use your ruler to make sure.)

Once your strips are woven as shown, you will need to glue down the strips where they overlap (see photo 2). Allow to dry if needed.

Now we will shape the star.

Take 2 'corner' strips (like shown in photo 3), twist them and match ends. Then glue down the strips where they overlap.

Continue taking the corner strips and glue them together (like shown in photo 4) until all 4 corners are done.

When all 4 corners are shaped, it should look like photo 5.

Now take your other 6 strips and repeat the same process as above until you have 2 that look like photo 6.

STEP 4: Joining the Star

Lay one of the star halves on top of the other star half as shown in photo 1 so that each curved loop matches a straight end.

Now weave the straight ends into the curved loops, like shown in photo 2.

Glue the straight ends to the curved loops (like shown in photo 3 and photo 4).
Don't worry that the straight strips are now longer and extend past the curved loops. (They will be trimmed later).

Now trim the excess straight ends (like shown in photo 5) using the curved ends as your guide.

When all your ends are trimmed, your star should look like photo 6.

Now add a string to your star (like shown in photo 7) and your beautiful Finnish Paper Star is ready to hang.

If you wish to make your star into a Christmas Tree Topper, you can omit the step of adding a string.

I hope you enjoyed this instructable!

- canucksgirl

Comments

[Bantiarna]

I love this! I am going to make it with double sided tape though as it tends to hold flatter. I will post a pic soon as I get one!

[aSinglePringle]

so.cool and perfect for my computer science project. thank you so much!!!

[myfathersgifts]

I am featuring Norway for Christmas Around the World in Colorado Springs 2014 and will be using this tutorial for handouts for projects for families. The eight pointed star has been a much loved symbol to Nordic and Viking people for many years. It is kept for protection, hope, balance and harmony. Some believe it has magical powers. Special thanks to Dave, owner of Harmony Craft for directing me to the tutorial

[KookyKreations]

Made stars today with young nieces and nephews visiting for the holiday (ages 6 to 14). A good project for the older ones to help the youngsters finish and a lot of fun for everyone involved. I happened to have a lot of small clippies and they were a big help in holding the points together as the glue dried. Thanks for a good clear instructable.

[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?)