Have you ever heard of the paper wonders known as Froebel stars? We hadn’t either but man, are we glad that’s changed!
These fancy charmer-ma-bobs are also called German paper stars and they’re the cutest little project to make.
While these age-old baubles are made from the most basic material, they can spice up your holiday decor in a snap… or at least in a few folds, anyway.
The tutorial we stumbled upon is a gem.
It’s teaching us how to craft these stars from nothing more than plain strips of paper.
It’s amazing how something so simple can transform into a stunning decoration for your tree, a package, or even a wreath.
The process starts with regular thin copy paper, cut into 1/2-inch by 18-inch strips.
You can also use up your wrapping paper scraps for added pizzazz, but essentially, you’ll need four of these strips for each star.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can opt for special papers or firm ribbons, but honestly, regular paper does the trick just fine.
The first step is to fold these strips in half lengthwise, prepping them for the magic to come.
Here’s a nifty tip: snip off the ends of the strips into a pointy shape.
This little trick makes the later steps of tucking and weaving a whole lot easier.
You’re basically setting yourself up for success from the get-go.
The base of the star is created using a basket weaving technique.
If you’ve ever done boondoggle at summer camp, this will feel familiar.
You weave the strips in a way that each one goes into a different direction, creating a sturdy base for your star. It’s like starting a mini basket or a boondoggle project.
Next, you create eight strips around the base to form the eight points of your star.
This involves folding the strips in specific ways to create little arrowhead shapes and then doubling them up for firm points.
It’s a bit like origami, where each fold is precise and contributes to the overall shape.
The trickiest part is making the dimensional points that really make the star pop.
It involves a bit of careful folding and tucking, almost like guiding a little paper snake under a rock without flipping it upside down.
This step can be a bit fiddly, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be churning out these points like a pro.
After you’ve completed all the points on both sides of the star, you trim off the excess paper, and voilà !
You have a beautiful Froebel star!
Some folks like to dip these stars in beeswax to make them firm and durable, which is a great idea if you want to hang them up as ornaments.
These Froebel stars might just be strips of paper at the start, but with a little folding and a touch of patience, they turn into something pretty magical.
See how quickly these charming little paper stars come together in the video below!
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