Allow me to introduce the lovely and talented Ching Ya, a dear friend and social media geek with a delighthful creative streak. Today, she’ll teach us how to fold our own paper stars in this photo tutorial. Enjoy! ~ Jen
The Cute Little Stars
Twinkle twinkle little stars
How colorful and adorable you are…
I’ve always loved them, it’s my dream to hold the stars in my hands and admire their beauty.
Guess what? My dream came true after all!
Cute isn’t it?
I sprinkle these little ones around my Christmas corner, along with the tree of course.
So, do you want to spice up your Christmas decorations with these little ones? I can assure you, by the time you finished reading these instructions, you’re gonna shout out, “OMG!! It’s THAT simple??”
How To Fold Your Little Paper Stars
What do you need?
A half-used colored/wrapping paper (I prefer recycled ones, you could use brand new if you like), a ruler and scissors. That’s it.
Are you ready to rumble?
Here goes:
Step 1.
Measure and cut a strip approximately 1cm width and 20-25cm in length (depends on your liking).
Step 2.
Do it as if you are making a perfect knot.
Step 3.
Make sure ‘A’ is on top of the tail. Then continue to tuck ‘A’ inside the hole.
Step 4.
Pull ‘A’ through gently and flatten the knot.
Reminder – Make sure ‘A’ is neither too long nor short. A considerable length as shown in the picture will be just right.
Step 5.
Bend the excessive end to the back. (Cut it off if too long.) Now a pentagon is formed.
Step 6.
Bend the long tail according to the sides of the pentagon. That is, go up from underneath the pentagon as illustrated, following the direction of the blue dotted line.
Continue the ‘pentagon-wrapping’ method (see next 4 photographs) until it almost reaches the end.
Here’s what your star will look like at this point:
Step 7.
Slip the tail into the body of the pentagon. Cut off the excessive part if necessary.
Step 8.
Hold your pentagon as shown in the next photograph. Press in hard until the pointed ends are formed.
Continue pinching with other sides until the star becomes “puffy”…
… and VOILA!!
Now you can carry on with as many of them as you wish. Even fill up a jar with stars, and give it as a present to your loved ones. Now they’ll never running out of wishing stars for Christmas!
Ching Ya loves traveling, photography, and acoustic guitar! She owns a blog It’s My Life ~ It’s Now Or Never where she talks about her interests in movies, music, events & occasions, fun sites, personal thoughts as well. It’s her passion to write and share the fun with her readers. That’s why she has a Christmas theme on-going right as we speak!It’s All About Christmas so why not check it out and get into the groove? Or visit Ching Ya at Drama Sum It Up, where she follows her favourite TV drama -– currently, that’s “Prison Break.”
{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely lovely stars!
I love the small version – only 1cm strips!
And feel like filling up a large glass bowl with different colored ones.
…Now I’ve got a project to do with my girls over the holidays!
Thanks for such a great idea
I’m glad you liked it, Cindy. =)
It’s pretty simple to make, and I once did it like 500-1000 for my hubby when we were still dating, and that pretty much stole his heart too. ha…
Wow! Thanks for teaching me how to make these! I will surely be making these like a catatonic zombie for the next few days making hundreds for my girlfriend! :D
Thank you Ching Ya! <3
You’re most welcome, Billy. I’ll soak myself in the tears of joy if I received these from my guy. He only made me somewhere 20 but that’s good enough as well. Just think about Hundreds! ha.. wow, she’ll be so touched and thrilled. Now aren’t we (gals) the sensitive type? =)
Best wishes, and love to know her response. ^^
:)
Glad you put ‘gals’ in there, as i may have thought you knew my gf and by ‘aren’t we’ you were talking about Asian people! :P
I made them, boy do my fingers hurt, but i think i’ve got it down to an art now! :D I made roughly 350. She loves stars too (so much so, that she has 2 star tattooes, she’s a tiny bit goth), so i made them from black paper, they went down a treat, haha! Not only that, i made just one of them from pink paper and stuck it in the middle of the heap with a small note (enclosed in a pink envelope…also made by me) saying, “In a dark and confusing world, you burn brightly. I never feel lost.” Like putty in my hands she was! lol
Can’t thank you enough Ching Ya! *Hug*
Billy, if someone did something like that for me… well, never mind “putty in his hands,” I’d be a helpless little serving of madly infatuated jello! The women of the world need more like you! :D
Billy, you don’t know how much your message made me smile, and I truly appreciate you sharing this sweet story with us. aww.. I’m so, so glad you made it, and your gf loves it! ^^ That’s a brilliant idea!
Domestika is totally right, we need more men like that. I don’t think any girls would mind being a putty or jello, even if not all the time, some times would be nice. Gonna give you a big hug too, splendid job you did there! Congrats!
Thanks domestika for informing me this beautiful message. You’re so thoughtful.
Thanks, girls! ^^
Thing is i’m gonna have to pull another rabbit out the hat soon because i have to leave her for a while, long distance relationship.:(
I’ve got something up my sleeve. I want her to have something to hold on to, not just memories if you know what i mean.
Wish us luck. :)
Wow, long distance, then we got a lot of things to do now, husle up! ^^
Ok, seems like you got a plan already, Billy. Sincerely, I wish both of you the best of everything. And your love for each other will continue to blossom and never waver, no matter how. You’re definitely got our support here in Domestikgoddess. I wonder should I pop up another craft to get you going, or as the side-dish of your briliant plan. =)
Best wishes, always.
Thank you very much, Ching Ya. :)
I have a few ideas, i’ve got 30 days to try them/make them happen hehe.
I’ll report back here if i can think up something good. ^^
Thanks again!
Splendid. We’ll be right here waiting, patiently.
Think you’re gonna do fine. =)
Thanks a bunch! ^^ I sure hope so. (:
How pretty. I used to make these too, but forgot how. Thanks for the reminder!
this is a very good paper star.!
Hi Foodaholic & Easeuchhav,
Thank you for the comments. Glad you like the craft. ^^
this craft is so neat my mother thought it would be good to sell in my stand
hi KKC,
That sounds like a great idea. I remember back in my schooling days some of my schoolmates used to make them for charity sales, along with hand-made cards. It could be used in many ways really.
that is really cool. i might do that, maybe give away money to charities. i have always wanted to do that kind of stuff! ya know, i used to be in girl scouts? ( i still need to find a troop ;) )
That’s right. Even it’s a simple craft, what truly matters is the message you send out: like Billy has shown his sincerity & love to gf through crafting; while you as a charitable person who shares the kindness and care to the needy. Proud of you, KKC. ^^ Keep the spirit going!
If you have a blog, do share with us the outcome?
thank you, I will
These are adorable, and your nails look very nice!
Hi Kelsey,
Thank you for liking the stars.. and my nails. ha.. actually I was regretting for not paying much attention on them after the post was published. But, it’s good that the plain colour made the red star stood out more.
My, those fingers do look gigantic.. ^^
Hey Ching Ya !
These are SUPER adorable =)
I’ve wanted to learn from SOMEONE that at least had pictures step-by-step showing you ! I found your page ! How cute ^__^
The skin under my nails are ACHING so badly. And I only made 4. Teehee. I’m lame =U
Well, I can NEVER puff it up OR make it pointy. It always turns out… flat. Please help me! ):
Oh BY THE WAY, best instructions EVER! And I mean EVER! And forever ;D
Good job Ching Ya! OMG, I am soooo excited. I’m making a few hundred for my parent’s anniversary. SHH, don’t tell (:
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for your kind words. It means so much. I’m glad the pictures with ‘giant hands’ helped. =)
Jessica, to make the stars puffy & pointy, try to avoid wrapping the papers too tight from step 1 – 7. Wrap it gently so it’s slightly puffed before the big step 8. Also the paper must not be too soft either.
I can feel your excitement from the comments. I’m sure your parent is going to love your gift — the time and effort their lovely daughter had spent on each star, that’s what we called LOVE.
All the best. Do share with us the outcome of your ‘surprise’. =)
Waaah ! I’ll try ! Thanks for your help ^___^
You’re most welcome, Jessica. ^^ Best wishes!
omg xD i had seen my sibling make some of these and wanted to no how. FINALLY I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!! im so happy now i can make some. im gonna give soem away with the donations i get for rescuing puppys from puppymills. i do that every year so =D hopfully poeple will like them and want to donate! thanks for showing how to make them you rockkk!!!!!!!
Wow …!!!!
It worked ,but it was a little hard to see where it goes ,anyway thanks!!
Wow …im gonna make it again.
excuse me will you please please make the star another colour?
T.G,
Very sweet & kind of you to help out in rescuing the puppies! Heard some terrible things they did to the poor animals. It’s an honor to be part of the mission, even for some folded stars. Go for it! :-)
Karmen.Z,
Sorry for not able to give a clear explanation from the pictures. Is the difficulty starts in Step 6? Basically it’s like wrapping the stars by going from one end to the opposite until the paper almost run out in Step 7. Do let me know if you still having trouble understanding the steps, will try my best to help out. :-)
Karmen.Z,
Well, I can try. Do you think if I use a paper with red/white instead of red/red for front/back side would be clearer?
I had seen photos of these stars, I always wanted to learn , it was pretty cool thanks :hugs: I loved it
Hi Sara,
Glad you like them. Hope the pictures are clear enough for you to learn it. Do let me know if you had any difficulties.
Karmen,
Sorry but hopefully you still able to see this message. Kindly let me know if the suggestion on the paper’s color would help you more? –> “Do you think if I use a paper with red/white instead of red/red for front/back side would be clearer?”
Thank you.
To make a bigger star would I simply cut bigger strips and make the paper longer?
Hi Jackie,
Bingo! You are absolutely right! ^^ That’s how the paper strips control the sizes.
wow this is so awesome!!! i love it!!!<3
I made all kinds of decorations with it and really enjoyed doing it!:)
Jenni,
So great to hear you liking the folded stars. ^^ I’m sure you made quite a lot of them.
i know that already. But my teacher’s not.
Russel,
Good for you. Maybe your teacher can learn from you instead on how to make them. ^^
we love these magnificent little darlings. i put it in my mouth when i was finished making it. DELICIOUS! thank you for the amazing appetizers.
have a good day.
oh ps. we don’t understand how to make it puffy.
jerks
bye! (:
Keysey & John,
LOL !
how dod you make that i quit at step 3. help!!!!!!!
Nadia,
First of all, take a deep breath… ^^ ok, let’s see where you stuck at.
Step 1-3, is pretty much making a ‘knot’ for the strip;
step 4 is actually the look after you flatten the knot (by pulling ‘A’ through the circle as instructed), did you manage to reach step 4?
step 5-7 is all about wrapping around the ‘knot’.
the stars are cool but canyou make them bigger?^^
Patricia,
Yes, I believe that’s doable if you make bigger strips for it. ^^
the stars are cool, but from which paper you make this?
Raman,
You can use any color paper, present wrapper etc. For this procedure I used a recycled paper from an envelope. ^^
ching ya your star is very beautiful and easy to do but i cant do it during the pinching of the star time.
idgette,
You mean you’re having problem pinching the stars? Do not flatten the stars too much while you’re wrapping the strip, keep it bulge a bit so the pinching can be done easier.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
its kinda hard but i prctice more you get used to it now and later…(and they are so cute when you get done with it) love your website ill commet back later when i see this website… *_* ._.
Thank you Lizzy for liking it. Practise makes perfect! All the best to you.
Hi mam!
just want to say thank you for the instruction..
its very easy to follow…
I’ve been dreading to learn this, I’ve been asking friends if they know how… and I still can’t believe I’ll be able to learn it online (ha!ha!ha!)
God bless to you and thank you so much…
merry christmas in advance!
that is so cool but that was not wat i was looking for but hope you a merry christmest
Yora,
I’m so happy for you. :-) Oh yes, it’s amazing how much we get to learn from internet these days. Wish you well and Merry Christmas in advance as well.
Bianca,
Same to you too. Merry Christmas.
Thank you so mutch!
I have been wanting to know whow to make thease becayse their so cute~
But then I read billys storry and it reminded my of my man.
We have only been dating for about 3 months now but that’s a long time for high schoolers. I want to do some thing specheal for him (and sceance I couldn’t get him a gift for christmas cause im broke).
So I’ve set out on makeing him a bunch (of verringing sizes) and kissing each one.
I hope he enjoys it.
Ps.
I found that you can also use 15cm long papper and they turn out OK they don’t always puff up ok (but you just make another). also I have cound to make them bigger increse the with and to make them smaller decreese.
Thank you for sharing this technique! All my asian gals seem to know how to do this but me!
Ching Ya do you by any chance know how to make paper roses or ribbon roses? I’m just curious^^
Thank you, I’ll try this at home! definately =D
Tarot,
Yes, their sizes will be affected by the width/length of the strip. :) Great gift idea, he’ll love it as most importantly is the heart that counts. Best wishes.
Esther,
You’re most welcome. Glad you manage to make some your own too. As of roses, I did once make them from straw and paper respectively but it was a long time ago, need to ask my mom if she remembers how. Straw is much easier but smaller in sizes though. :-)
That was really hard! I get everything but the pinching part. Every time I do it, I end up crushing the “star”. >:( I am frustrated and mad.
Sarah,
How about if you try using a slightly thicker paper, like the Double A (A4) or something similar? Avoid using soft papers. Also, don’t press the body when wrapping the star, leave it slightly puffer to ease the pinching step. When you do, try to pinch at the end of the pointed area of the star, not too close to its body.
i LIKE THAT A LOT. tHANK YOU.
NISRINE
Thank you Nisrine, glad you like the stars.
Thanks for your instructions but i kinda had difficulty in step 6 and above. :(((
Hi KC,
From #6 onwards it’s actually more of a ‘wrapping’ stage; try to wrap the star with the long strip (tail) until finish.
Thanks so much for the instruction. I followed your instructions exactly, but mine ends up puffed on one side, not the other. why?
Hi Lola,
Can you be more specific on how it is to be puffed on one side? Or could you provide us the picture link so we can have a look? Thank you.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!! ^^
I really like your tutorial, it’s really easy to understand. I got it on my first try~~
HI!
Your stars r am8zing and cool i tried it and kept on practicing and now its Ez.
there cool but when i try and pinch the star it wreaks it >.<\
helllp
maraming salamat :)
Ching Ya,
thank you for sharing ur talent..love it..
and now im practicing it too…
This is so cool but my stars keep falling apart!
I did it and it worked!
I like how you teach me on the computer,you showed all the steps.
Do you know anything else?You better put it on the computer.
I like learning new things :)
Thank you!
Bye!
these are so cute im having fun making them :)
i couldn’t do it but i really want to make it……
WOW!!! this is the only site i could find that has instructions on how to make those kind of stars. all the other sites have are ninja stars. thanks a bunch because i needed them for a class project. awesome!!! keep it up!!!
Ok. so the first time i did this it was a complete and total FAIL! then i realized i flattened it too much so it wouldn’t puff. my second one was perfect.
:) <(")penguin
I followed the instructions..but got so confused after step6 and ended up with a mess :/
this is so confusing
Found this way after the fact but I love this tutorial :D Somehow making these make me feel happy, and since I’m stressed lately I have a way to destress now! So thank you for this very simple and easy to understand tutorial! :)
I try to fold this paper stars.Actually, I can folded it.Thank U for your materials & the steps
Hi
My name is Emily Chang
Why you buy the paper?
hi
I really love these stars.
i really love the stars i made
Love the Stars! I will make a ton of these. Thank you!
I think these stars are absolutely adorable. I’ve been having some trouble making them puff up, but nothing I can’t fix. Thank you ever so much for posting this tutorial. A friend of mine attempted to teach me how to make them, but I required further instruction.
Thank you so much Ching Ya.
Thanks! That was so helpful!
The pinching part is the hardets but I’m getting better!
These are so cute! I’m gonna do the 1000 star challenge!