How to Make an Oriental Paper Fan

An Oriental paper fan is a fun craft that you can make using commonly found art materials. Enjoy using the fan to keep cool or place it in your home as a décor item. Use these directions for a child's activity or an adult craft that can add to any Oriental theme. Following this simple but versatile plan, you choose between two decorating methods for creating the Oriental design for your fan.

Things You'll Need

• Wide craft sticks Hot glue gun Cardstock or poster paper Pencil Tissue paper or white drawing paper Permanent black marker (fine-tip) Watercolor paint if desired Cup of water White glue Small paintbrush Scissors Ribbon Beads

Instructions

1. 

   Arrange six jumbo craft sticks with one end of each stick together and the other ends spread out like a fan. Use the hot glue gun to glue the six ends together. Glue one jumbo craft stick to the bottom of this arrangement so that it extends down as a handle. Place to the side to dry.

2. While waiting for glue to harden, fold a 12-inch long piece of ribbon in half. Thread the two ends of the ribbon through three to five small beads. Tie a knot above and below the beads so that they stay near the ends. Place this to the side.

3. Choose a color scheme and design for your fan. Decide on a solid color cardstock or poster board for the back of the fan. Plan a design for the front of your fan that you will create in a later step. Simple Oriental nature designs make a good choice for this project.

4. For the back of the fan, place the craft sticks you glued into a fan shape on top of the cardstock or poster paper. Trace around the top curve of the craft sticks and down the sides to about 1.5 inches from the glued together ends with a pencil. Move the craft sticks to the side. Draw an arched line connecting the bottom of the fan shape you traced. Cut this out carefully.

5. Repeat the above process with the white drawing paper. This creates the paper for the front of your fan. After cutting the shape you traced from the craft sticks out, begin to create an Oriental design on the white paper.

6. If desired, draw an Oriental design such as a nature scene with cranes, plants or a pond with the permanent marker. Next, paint a very light watercolor wash over the elements of your marker design. A watercolor wash simply means use a lot of water and very little paint. Alternatively, cut floral shapes from colored tissue paper then glue them in place with slightly watered down white glue. Apply the glue with a small paintbrush. After gluing all shapes down, brush over the entire design lightly with watered down white glue. Let either design dry completely.

7. 

   Attach the ribbon and beads you made earlier to the bottom of the fan. Place a small dot of hot glue on the back of the craft sticks. Press the end of the ribbon without the beads into the hot glue to attach it. Let the entire fan dry completely before attempting to use it.