Making your own geometric paper ornaments can be a great way to decorate for a party, holiday, or other event. It's also a great way of adding a modern touch to your everyday decor without spending a lot. You don't need to be an origami master in order to transform paper into three-dimensional shapes.
Evgeniya Rigini-Brand is my name and I am a graphic artist who loves beautiful paper and all things geometric. I have always been fascinated with the amazing sculptural forms found in decorative objects, architectural models, and in packaging design. Learning how to transform a simple sheet paper into interesting 3D geometric paper objects has been a satisfying and eye-opening experience for a designer. This has given me another creative playground and many beautiful objects to use in decor items.
This class will guide you through the process. I will also share step-by-step instructions to create 3 types of my favourite versatile ornaments. These make great holiday, party, and everyday decorations. These ornaments are based on foundational fold techniques and are a great starting point for anyone who is new to structural paper folding. They don't require much more than standard size paper and a few other tools.
This class will teach you
- How to choose the right paper for a smooth folding experience that creates beautiful, neat and sturdy ornaments
- How to prepare your paper for folding
- Step-by-step instructions and tips to fold 3 types of ornaments
- How to make your ornaments look their best
- Tips for hanging ornaments
- Ideas for how to use your ornaments
- Ideas for customizing your ornaments.
To make it easier for you to create ornaments in different sizes using your preferred units metric and imperial , I have created some diagrams and instructions that you can use as you go through the class.
This class was created for:
- Anyone looking for a rewarding and fun craft project.
- DIY & craft enthusiasts;
- Papercraft artists
- Interior & graphic designers create decorations, shop window displays, or party decor.
- event & wedding designers;
- Party planners
You'll never know what you were missing until you learn it! While we will be creating ornaments, learning about paper folding will change the way you approach any personal or professional project that involves paper or any other foldable material. This class is perfect for you, whether you're a DIY decor enthusiast or a papercraft expert, or a graphic, interior or fashion designer, packaging designer, or student of these fields.
Once you've mastered the basics of paper folding, creating geometric ornaments can be a fun, addictive, and therapeutic process. You have plenty of options for experimentation with different papers, sizes, shapes, and customizing your ornaments. I can't wait to see how you decorate them with your ornaments!
TOOLS AND MATERIALS:
- Ruler: 30cm / 12inches or more
- Pencil: A sharp graphite pencil, or a thin (0.3 - 0.5 mm), mechanical pencil & pen if you are working with dark papers;
- Craft knife, or scalpel
- Cutting mat and something else to protect your table. Mount board, cardboard or cover board
- Awl, or another tool:
For making holes, you will need a large needle, small nails and a hammer.
For creating crease lines, use a blunt side of your dinner knife or scalpel. A tiny flathead screwdriver. Manicure scissors, tweezers. - Double-sided tape, or strong paper glue
- Scissors;
- Needle;
- Strong sewing polyester or strong plastic thread
- Bone folder (not essential but it will make the process much easier).
A bookbinding kit, which is widely available on Amazon, e.g., can be used to quickly and cheaply obtain an awl (bone folder, thread cutters, and a set large needles) Like this ).
PAPER:
Paper Sizes:
Recommended Paper Weight
- 100-135gsm (68-90lb) -- foldable heavy card or heavy paper.
Recommended Paper:
- Any 100-135gsm drawing and cartridge papers -- widely available, safe choice, inexpensive option for practising and creating mock-ups. These can be used in final ornaments in white color or customised by drawing, painting, or printing.
- Coloured 100-135gsm paper (e.g. 120 gsm Clairefontaine’s Maya range.
Visit your local Art Supply Shop to find cartridge paper pads and designer and craft paper in smaller packs.
Recommended (Tried and Tested) Designer Papers
- Colorplan by G. F Smith (135gsm, 55 colors in the range);
- Extract by G. F Smith (130gsm, 10 colors in the range);
Both are available in any quantity from the G in the UK. F Smith website. G. F Smith International Stockists will tell you where and when you can buy G. F Smith paper in your nation.
Other Designer Papers to Try
- You can find distributors in other countries for Arjowiggins Curious & Keaykolour products in North America here.
- Neenah (USA),: Astrobrights (can also be purchased on Amazon in multicolour packages).
- Takeo (Japan),: NT Rasha.
Sannot wait to see all of your ornaments!
