How to make a lacy 3-D snowflake from paper

I first saw these snowflakes in a hospital waiting room. There were dozens of them, hanging from the ceiling, turning an otherwise dull space into a dramatically beautiful snowscape. They are amazingly easy to make.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 sheets of 8.5" x11" paper for each large snowflake
• A pair of scissors
• Scotch tape
• Double-stick scotch tape
• A stapler and staples

1. 
    
   Fold the paper on a diagonal

   Fold the paper
   
   Take one top corner and fold the paper on the diagonal, bringing the top edge exactly in line with the side edge. Make a crease.
   
   To make the second fold, bring the other top corner to the other side edge, making a smaller triangle.
   
   Trim the excess paper that extends beyond the triangle. You will end up with a square piece of paper.

2. 
    
   Cut almost to the center fold, but not quite!

   Cut the paper
   
   Draw a line close to the edge with one fold. Cut from the edge with two folds, parallel to the cut edge of the paper, as shown in the picture. Make four parallel cuts a little more than half an inch apart, stopping the cut when you get to the line you drew.

3. 
    
   First point taped. Now turn it over for the second point

   Tape the corners together
   
   The first picture shows the paper unfolded with the first points in the center taped together. After you tape the center points, turn the paper over.

4. 
    
   Taping the next points together.

   Tape the next points together, then turn the paper over again.
   Finish the other points in the same way, taping them together and then turning the paper over and taping the next one.
   
   You have now completed the first spoke of the snowflake.

5. 
    

   The picture shows your completed spoke. Repeat steps 1-4 five more times, so that you have 6 spokes.

6. 
    
   Two triplets, almost done!

   Staple the snowflakes together
   
   Line up 3 of the spokes, hold them by one end, and staple them together.
   
   Then place two of these triplets facing each other, as shown in the picture to the left, and staple the two stapled ends together, as shown in the picture to the right.

7. 
    
   Here's where you stick them together

   Tape the spokes together
   The final step is to tape the spokes together. The best way to do this is with double-sided scotch tape. The picture shows the spokes before the taping, the place where you put the double-stick tape. After you add the double-stick tape, your snowflake will be done.

Tips & Warnings

• Making the snowflakes from 6 pieces of typing paper makes huge snowflakes, which is great when you're going for a big effect. However, if you'd like smaller snowflakes, you can follow these same directions with smaller squares of paper. The smaller the paper, however, the more difficult they are to make.
• A simple hanger can be made by using a paper clip. Simply bend the paper clip so there are two hooks. Add hole reinforcing circles where you put the hook through to reinforce the paper.
• You can make the snowflakes in graduated sizes and then staple or tape them together, end on end, with the largest at the top, to make a wall hanging.
• When you put them away after the holidays, don't let them get crushed, and they will last you many seasons!

Resources

• Lacy 3-D Paper Snowflakes