DIY Wrapping Paper Magical Lucky Stars Tutorial (***Make a wish***)

Boo!

Here's a simple tutorial on how to make the lucky magical stars featured in my Coffee Jar Anniversary Gift Idea post. Please do let me know if this doesn't make sense, as I'll be more than happy to re-explain it. But also I apologise in advance once more if this is self-explanatory again. 

Possible Tools:

• Wrapping Paper, or

• Origami paper, or

• Pre-cut lucky star paper strips, or

• Printing Paper

• Scissors/paper craft knife

• Ruler

Measurements I used:

• 2 cm x 50 cm

For this tutorial, I actually took wrapping paper that I had kept from birthdays/Christmas etc, this not only means that you can create the stars in whatever colour and pattern you want, but also it's free! However, for those who have never made these lucky stars before, I would highly recommend buying the pre-cut lucky star paper strips at first as it may make the folding a little easier - I think you can print templates off the internet too though. Also, when choosing the type of wrapping paper, I would advise not using shiny wrapping paper. As we are not using any glue in this tutorial, we want to make sure that the paper doesn't slip and slide, but stay in place. So material that has a slightly rough texture would be more suitable. 

A note about the measurements, I think the pre-cut strips are normally between 0.8-1cm in width and 16-20cm in length. So you might be thinking I'm crazy for having my measurements at 2cm x 50cm.  

Firstly, I wanted a slightly bigger star than the normal pre-cut strips, so used a larger width measurement. 
Secondly, in order to create the 3D 'poofy' effect, the skeletal pentagon structure has to be thick enough to enable you to mould the points of the star. As the wrapping paper is slightly lighter, less dense/less thick than normal paper, I wanted to make sure that my star would be dense/thick enough to allow me to create the 3D 'proofy' effect (hopefully that'll make more sense as you go through the tutorial). 

The great thing is, if you feel as though your star is 'meaty' enough, you could always cut off the excess paper, rather than having to start again with a new piece or re-sizing that strip. But again measurements are completely up to you, and what you feel comfortable working with. Anyway enough babbling from me let's begin the tutorial! :)

Tutorial

1. Once you've cut your strip to the measurements of your preference, about 6/7cm's from one end of the strip (this will be called the excess end), bring the strip of paper firstly 45° upwards towards 2 o'clock, then down towards 8 o'clock around 45° as well. 

2) Then loop the same end (the excess end) under the pocket created by the fold/loop at 2 o'clock.

3) You maybe able to see the pentagon of the lucky star taking shape. Pull both ends of the strip of paper (excess end and the longer end) tight. Try to pull it so that each edge is touching another edge.

4) Flip your strip of paper over so you have the back facing you.

5) (This step can be skipped if you do not have much excess paper left). But here I've folded my excess end in half.

6) Then I measured the folded excess end to ensure that it is not bigger than the width of the pentagon. If your folded excess end is longer than the width of the pentagon, either fold it again, or simply cut off the excess.

7) Once you've measured that the folded excess is the same width as the pentagon, tuck it into the pocket like so.

8) And you should be left with this:

9) Now flip the Pentagon back over so the front is facing towards you with the longer end of the strip of paper coming from the west direction.

10) Bring the strip of paper eastwards. So match up sides a-e, with b-c.

11) Then bring the strip of paper down, southwards, to match sides b-c, to e-d. And then finally fold the strip of paper so it is pointing westwards, so that points c-d match up to points a-e.

12) Now repeat steps (9)-(11). Try to make sure that each fold is close the the skeleton of the pentagon to give your star the support it needs.

13) Once you've nearly reached the end of your strip of paper, depending on the measurements you've used, leave at least 1cm (or the width of your pentagon).

14) Now I will show you 2 ways you can fold/tuck this extra 1cm. Below are two purple lines (one short, and one long), which will be pockets for your extra 1cm of paper.

15) First method: tuck the extra 1cm into, and under the smaller pocket where the yellow arrow is pointing towards AND the larger pocket.

16) Second method: just tuck the extra 1cm under the big pocket.

17) Now you have a complete pentagon, which hopefully has no extra bits of paper sticking out. I personally prefer using the first method where possible because I think it secures that extra 1 cm in place better. So below is a picture showing the result of using the First Method.

18) Do you remember how at the very beginning I mentioned that the star has to be 'meaty' enough. This is because, if it's too thick/bulky or thin/flimsy, the following steps won't be possible. If it's too thick, it'll be very difficult to 'poof' out the pentagon to create the 3D star shape. But if it's too thin, the pentagon will just collapse and you would not be able to sustain a star shape at all. Sooo, make sure you have just enough material so you are able to mould the points of your stars easily and also so that the star is well supported.

To create the 3D effect: using your Thumb and Index Finger, apply a small amount of pressure, pushing the two sides inwards towards the direction shown by the yellow arrows. 

19) After applying a bit of pressure, the result should look like this:

20-23) Then do the same on the other 4 sides. I would advise pushing down at the corners gently at first so you get the general shape of the star, and the apply more pressure once you know how spaced out you want each point.

24) Tah-dah! You have now finished making your first magical lucky star!

I hope you found this tutorial useful and easy to follow! Do let me know if you need anything explained:) And I hope you enjoy making these cute little 3D stars. 

Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend! :)
PS clocks turn back tonight so have a lovely extra hour of sleep:))

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