!!! NEW AND UPDATED TEMPLATES HERE !!!
This has got to be one of my favourite projects to date…which is a good job because I nearly broke my brain putting the templates together!! I’m not so good at maths and figuring out angles (my lovely Mum is a retired maths teacher so I should know better!). By the way this project is quite fiddly so more aimed at grown-ups or older kids.
My paper gems were very influenced by these wonderful crayons (via Deborah’s Pinterest board).
You can use these paper gems as hanging decorations (for your Christmas tree) or you can incorporate them into a mobile or garland. I would love to make about a hundred and string them up in front of my window…however there is a limit to my patience!!
If you spray them lightly on one side they look very pretty and a bit more crystal-like! Skip below the jump for pdf templates and instructions.
If you love crystals and gems as much as I do then check out these cool projects:
Home-made rock candy
Home grown geodes
Edited to add: Check out this great advent calendar idea using my paper gems. Thanks Marta!
Kids craft coming up next week…I absolutely promise this time!
Off topic:
Huge thanks to Kathreen from whipup.net for choosing one of my images for her 2012 calendar. Be sure to check it out!
I’ve been a total slacker on email lately…but intend to catch up over the next week. So if you have emailed, sorry, you will hear from me soon!
How-to
You will need:
♥ Paper
♥ Scissors
♥ Cutting board (optional)
♥ Glue stick
♥ Silver/gold spray (optional)
1. !!! NEW AND UPDATED TEMPLATES HERE !!!
2. Print template onto a sheet of coloured A4 paper
3. Cut out the templates. (Cut along solid lines. Score and fold the dashed lines).
4. Stick together using a gluestick. (There is probably a better kind of glue to use…I would love to hear recommendations from any paper-crafters out there!)
5. If you want to spray the gems, lie them on an old piece of newspaper and lightly spray the top-side of the gems. (I think they look better sprayed on one side only).
!!If you want to hang your gems then thread a piece of cotton through before sticking the pieces together!!
Due to it’s fiddly nature, this project is not really suitable for kids.
Any problems then leave a comment!
wow, these are beautiful! thanks so much, kate!
i am a 11 year old kid and i succefuly did this origami it looked really cool and my friends loved them!
Yay….well done Dennis. Great to hear from you…would love to see a picture ^_^
This is not origami. Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, WITHOUT glue 🙂
This gems are simply solids made up of nets.
I hope my english is o.k. 😉
Well said ^^ by the way what languadge are you?
I know this is not origami but Dennis is only 11 so i think he did a great job even attempting them…..it’s not worth sweating over the technical terms. Kate ^_^
You are absolutely correct! This is kirigami, a variation of origami that involves cutting and folding of the paper.
These are amazing! I’ve also been looking at all kinds of geometric forms to use as holiday ornaments…..thanks so very much for sharing!
thanks Sarah….yep the geometric thing is huge at the moment. I was looking for some for our holiday decorations but couldn’t find any anywhere. Hope all well with you. Love the new header on your blog! 🙂
these are awesome! and they make killer tree ornaments aswell 🙂
So pretty, Kate – and very technical, you are clever!!! x
Thanks Mum! 🙂 x
Love this idea, though my bumble-hands will likely not permit such precision.
Thea Natalie @ Creatures of Life
Check out my ‘Low Luv’ jewellery give away Here!!
Thank you, these are beautiful!
Wow Kate – these are fabulous. (It must be all the ABBA you listen to – a favourite of mine too!)
Haha…I used to dance to abba when i was a little girl. The boys love them too…great for boogies in the kitchen!
I feel sure Super Trouper is a nursery rhyme.
hi people this is cool
Nice how pretty! I couldnt decide if they were crayons or paper when I first saw them : ) very cute!
LOVE.
Just made some of these out of metallic paper… They look AWESOME! Thanks!
yeah!! send me a pic….i wanna see!
I loved them 🙂 thanks
Thanks! These look great. I actually AM a math teacher too, and my students are currently making piles of their own prisms and pyramids. These will be a great treat for those that finish their main project early.
this are really gems and also loved your paper wrap as alway alll you share is beautiful
regards
Val
These little gems are amazing! I cannot wait to try them. Thank you so much for the template download and instructions. I appreciate your share!
-Molly
Hey Kate! I super love these paper gems! I can’t wait to make some – thank you so much for the templates! I’ve posted about them on my blog too: http://www.matinlapin.com/2011/11/bejeweled-admission.html
Thanks Vixie! Nice roundup 🙂
These are amazing! Thank you so much for the PDF. These are going to be a lot of fun. I LOVE to use Fabri-Tac clue made by Beacon. It is the best glue I have ever used for paper crafting and one of the top paper crafting tips anyone ever shared with me! 🙂 Thanks again for the great treasure!
will have to try to get a hold of it in the UK….thanks for the tip Deanna
These are super, Kate! I blogged about them and linked over here!
thanks Jessica…loooove your blog so chuffed to be featured 🙂
downloading!
thanx for sharing =)
I am doing them right now as a advent calendar for my little sister. (I know it is a bit late, but I just found them today!)
I’m making them in pink, silver, white and glitter silver.
Hope she will like them… 🙂
Yeah….let me know what your sister thought!
I loove your site!! So creative!! I’ve shared today some of your ideas, hope it’s OK.
Best wishes! ….And keep them coming!!
it’s here:
http://www.whatalight.net/2011/12/manos-la-obra-get-down-to-work.html
Cannot wait to try these! I shared this on my blog =]
thanks so much!!!
Posted mine on my facebook page (linked as my website here)
LOVED IT!
ha ha – “broke my brain”. 😉
I made your origami hanging ornaments last year, and they were so pretty. Let’s see if I have the patience this year for some gem ornaments!
Hi ,
I love this project . I did it in yellow . And than i found this : http://www.common-webshop.com/PublishedService?file=page&pageID=9&itemcode=gg01
Do you think you and your mom could try “hacking” it ?:D
That would be so cool !
Let us know
Kisses, keep up the great job !
Thanks so much for this gorgeous idea!! I did some gems for myself. http://philuko.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-papierdiamanten.html THANKS A MILLION FOR THE TEMPLATES! Best, Julia
Ooooh. They look lovely 🙂
Trying using rubber cement for glue! It works well with the weight of printer paper!
I will try to interwave a piece of fabric to get kind of paper weight…
thanks for sharing such a cute thing!!! Mila from Brasil
Isn’t it a bit outrageous that some people want to make money with this idea, when you give out templates for free… http://rkshop.bigcartel.com/product/make-your-own-gems
Hi Hanna,
I actually do understand why people charge for templates. I think creative people do deserve to gain financially for the work they do. I guess I earn money indirectly…by writing for magazines and writing my book….which would never have happened had I not started minieco….
What do you think???
Hmmmm….food for thought.
These are great. Thank you for sharing. You could also try using scrapbook paper, not cardstock. Also for kids to do you could use carbon paper and trace the templates on the paper with the dotted lines for the folds.
These are great! I used some close up nature photography, printed it on cardstock, for the templates. Then, apply a coat of clear gloss mod podge. Cut and paste away!
Hanging them from monofilament and making my first mobile. Its so cool so far! I don’t want to stop. 🙂 Will post pics once I do .
Here is a pic of the finished mobile! I am so inspired to mobile more now, lol. Love how the ‘gems’ turned out with the nature photos, will have to make more and maybe gift them. Thanks again!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vagabondindigo/6557272241/in/photostream
Hi Indigo…hurray!….they look absolutely great….can’t believe how wonderful those nature patterns look. Do let me know where you got the nature images from. I posted your picture to my face book page!
LOL, the number of people looking at my flickr page just jumped HUGE! glad you liked it. 🙂
I got the photos either from my own pictures (i love to play with my camera and images with textures!) or from google search of copyright free images. Mostly, I was looking for color and texture, like the grey woodgrain, or the light pink dew covered rose, etc.
These are so cool!
I’m trying to subscribe to your RSS feed but the link seems to be broken. 🙁
Hi Rose…A few people have problems with my feed. Just click on the subscribe button on the right hand side and follow the directions…usually works.
Thank you very much for the templates… Check what I made with them, just love it!
These are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing.
So awesome! I am a little behind the times with this one, but I have posted a link to this post on my blog along with some gem inspired artwork.
So glad I found your blog, totally love it!
I love everything on your website! A HUGE thank you to you!!!!!!
Love it!
And I always use a “Klebemaus” for glueing tricky paper projects. I dont know how its called in english but when you google the word you might get an idea.
Its not the very most eco-friendly glue because of the plastic but…
Hanna
Thanks for the tip Hannah…I’ll have to try and see if I can buy some 🙂
is that true do you realy like it
HI MK…I haven’t bought any yet but will report back if I do 🙂
Thanks for the idea and great thanks for the pdf file having the templates, you can share things like these in JustPep.com
i really love these! I can´t stop! I have made a garland for my daugther and she really loves it and also a mobile and it really turned out great. I love your blog and your tutorials!
Yay! Thanks for letting me know lotta ^_^
Do you have a recommendation for putting the parts together? I’m finding it difficult to stick them to each other without creasing the paper!
Hi Diane, it’s just patience and practice really. I found that a glue stick worked the best….glue one tab and stick it before moving onto the next. Hope that helps ^_^
These are fantastic! I’m inspired to do so many projects now :]
I would try it using PVC glue; it’s a book-maker’s glue that is specifically used for a strong bond on paper. it’s great and dries clear, too.
Thanks again,
January
i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i even downloaded them already!! i ve been searching so long for something like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
I love these crystals!!! I’m using them in a 3D board game on a poster board, you go over hills, through pyramids, into snowy mountains, caves, islands,jungles, walking on clouds, raised of the boardgame made from cotton balls, clear tape and paper supports, along with a magma area to top it off you end on a raised star! I think this crystal folding set is the perfect thing
These are so very beautiful!
Wow! These are fiddly! I used glue stick like was recommended, and I had so much trouble sticking all the sides together. I think for the next round I’ll try school glue. Any recommendations on how to make sure all the creases come out as perfect as in your pictures?
Hi Dee. Precision & patience is the key really. I use a big-ish needle and ruler to score the paper. If you are using a glue-stick you can construct the whole model except for the last few flaps and wait for it to dry fully. Then glue the last few flaps into place (less likely to fall apart).
Double sided tape works well too…but takes longer.
Good luck!
Oh wow! I love it!! Superb work, kate!!!
I’ve been attaching the three parts before sealing them in the round, any tips for getting the last seal? There doesn’t seem to be a good way to seal it as you can’t get inside.
Yep it is tricky! I poked a needle through the pointy end bit and used it to press on the flap from the inside! Hope that makes sense…do let me know if not.
It is also easier to let the glue dry fully on all the other flaps before attempting to wrestle the last flap into place (stops the model falling apart).
i’ll have a video showing this off. 😀
I used some paper I painted on with water colours. Made the gems look even more like gems! Thanks for the templates! Very nice blog you have going here!
Here’s my go at it:
http://1194km.blogspot.nl/2012/08/paper-gems.html
They look stunning Rachel. I think the watercolor effect works really well ^_^ I’ll have to give it a go.
This absolutely fabulous and cute!!! I would i want to try this out.
Thank you for the amazing DIY.
xxxx
hey kate! i used the gems in a decor setup of mine.. my boss loved it!! thanks
Sounds like fun Lubeyna. Glad it went well ^_^
I like to use Tacky Glue for this type of thing. It lasts really long and is super strong. Making these now!
Thanks for the tip Monica ^_^
Its soooo beatiful. I love it verry much an i will try it. Best Regards from http://www.art-zu-leben.de
Thanks Sophia,
I had a peek at your blog. Very cool. Want some of those felt slippers ^_^
Hey! I love these so much! They are so sweet! May I know where did you get these colorful papers? Really love the color!
Hi Yuki. The paper comes from Paperchase“>Paperchase. If you type ‘spectrascope’ into the search box you will see the packs.
HELP i don t know what part to stik together!!!!!
Which one are you trying to make, 1A, 1B or 1C?
ahhhh ok there is 1 a b c ….
Sorry for the confusions Sophie I meant 1, 2 & 3!
Gem 1 has three pieces (1a, 1b & 1c)
Gem 2 has three pieces (2a, 2b & 2c)
Gem 3 has only two pieces (3a & 3b)
Make a start with “gem c”. It’s the easiest one. Let me know how you get on.
Good luck x
sorry, i didn t know it was 3 parts for one piece..
thank you and congratulations for your amazing website !!!
hey, thank you for sharing the templates, they are absolutely amazing 🙂
what if i want to make them larger and use them as a present box? what would be your advice?
Hi Diana,
You can enlarge the templates on a photocopier (or you printer maybe?)
I would make them out of card rather than paper so that they are stronger.
Good luck! x
rubber cement can be used. its not a easy as a glue stick but it will most definitely stick better.
I absolutely LOVE these. I tried your paper diamond, too- it was positively gorgeous:)
Dziękuję ci za to że jesteś, za twoje wspaniałe pomysły, za niewyczerpaną inwencje twórczą. Jestem wolontariuszką na Oddziale onkologii w szpitalu dziecięcym i Twoje pomysły są mi bardzo pomocne w pracy z dziećmi. Jeszcze raz dziękuję Joanna
Dzięki za Joannę wiadomości rodzaju. Miło usłyszeć, że można wykorzystać moje rzemiosło dla takiego rodzaju prace. To musi być trudne i satysfakcjonującej pracy. (przepraszam o mojej próbie polskiego! użyłem google tłumaczyć!). Kate x
i’m a 13 years old girl and i was successful in making these gems..
my friends loved it and they’re begging me to teach them how to
make these paper gems…u rule!!
Yay! Way to go Mithushi…you rule 🙂 Hope you and your friends have fun making them ^_^ (would love to see some pictures by the way)
These are beautiful! I made some with kraft paper cardstock and elmer’s and they turned out pretty great:) I shared them on my blog with a link to yours for the templates! thank you!
here’s the link if you would like to my page: http://alittlebitjessica.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/make-paper-jewels/
Hi Jessica…I tried to look but it just says “page not found”.
Hi Kate! I loved the gems! They were beautiful! I used regular Elmers stick glue. But the only problem I had was I thought they would be just a little bigger than they are, but I still love them but thank you once again!
These are really great, I tried one of each design! What spray did you use? Is it regular spray paint, or a special type?
Hey there! I have found that tacky glue (Aleen’s) (am I spelling that correctly?) works quite well for these things. You only need to hold the pieces together for a couple of minutes and then it will stick and you can keep gluing. I made a bunch from the Paper Polyhedra guy around Christmas time. I did end up with fingerprints on the outside of my finished projects, even when applying the glue with a toothpick, though.
Thanks Sarah ^_^
Amazing! They would do fantastic as rupees from The Legend of Zelda!
astounding models!, looks great strung together or in groups!
Thanks a million , exactly what I was looking for
thank you so much! I don’t know HOW you ever figured out how to do them, but I am grateful ’cause I think my brain was born broke-in regards to this exercise anyway!
Ha! Thanks Pat. Yes…my geometry is slowly improving ^_^
Thank you very much, I am very happy to find this DIY to decorate the shop window of my gallery-shop
I’ve been unsuccessful with glue stick. I’m trying now with double sticky tape, and it works like a miracle. I need to cut mini strips, but it is much faster than waiting for the glue to dry and you can fold everything in immediately. I’ll send a picture once I finish with these! They are becoming a mobile for my baby to come by the end of september. Hope to finish all of them by then! Thanks!
Hey, I love all of your artworks!! I’m wondering what kind of spray did you use to make the gems look shining? Thanks ;D
Hi! I love all of your artworks! I was wondering what kind of spray did you use to make it shining? thank 😉
Wow, I’m totally addicted to these gems. Thank you so much 😀
you should just put it on this page because some people can’t download things and also don’t have a printer. like me:{
wow these are amazing projects for my daughters!!!
Hi there, i love the paper diamonds and gems but when i print out the templates, they’re missing a lot of the dotted lines!! 🙁 without the lines there’s no point in getting started because i’ll not be able to measure them as straight as they should be…….what can i do???
Hi Isabelle,
Make sure when you print you select ‘text & photo’, ‘photo’ or ‘best photo’ from your printing preferences dialog.
To do this: Open the pdf in your browser and press ctrl + shift + P and then click on the preferences button. Let me know how you get on.
Kate ^_^
Hi! This is such a cute idea! Gem2 is my favorite shape (apart from the diamond tutorials ^^). Do you maybe also have a template for each individual gem? So if I print it, I dont always end up with all three at once?
Decided to get my craft on for this year and use these gems on our Christmas tree. Your gems are more challenging than I expected! But not all pretty things come easy. Still figuring out the best way to put them together, but my early attempts at each gem didn’t turn out so bad. 🙂 Thinking of maybe gluing some parts on the outside instead.
Thanks for these templates. My brain could use a bit more exercise. 😉
p.s. I’ll give you an update (and pictures!) after the hols if I get to pull these off in time. They’re so cute. <3
Thanks Henri,
Would love to see the results. I will be posting new (& improved) paper gem templates within the next few weeks so keep a look out.
These are sooo pretty! Perfect for holiday! I have a question for you, is there anyway I can these templates individually and larger? Thanks!
where is the PDF?
There is a link to it in the how-to section above.
Hi Kate,
I find your website inspiring, not only for the content but also for how you present it, photography, themes and all of that.
I used these templates to create some Christmas tree decorations for my 5 years old daughter. Yes, we separated the Christmas trees since she wanted it really bright and colored and I didn’t!
So, thank you very much for your templates.
You can check my use of it in my blog: http://rossanarama.weebly.com/blog.html.
I linked your website of course.
Rossana
Hi Rossana,
Thanks for the kind comment. The tree looks beautiful. Really lovely colours ^_^
Kate ^_^
Hi,
I really like these, they are such a cute design!
However i am having a little trouble glueing them together, i get most of it glued, but it is always the last 2 tabs that i cannot get to stick without having to crumple the rest of the gem. Is there any oder in which you stuck the tabs down which would help me? 🙂
thanks 🙂
Oh and i am doing gem number 3 if that helps 🙂
Wow, these are amazing! Just what I was looking for. Can’t wait to begin. Thank you so much.
Where do you get your A4 paper from?
Hi Laurie,
I got it from Paperchase or WHSmiths. I’m sure you would be able to pick some up in any craft store. Kate ^_^
Thank you so much, I made super cute earrings with your shapes and tutorial. You can see the result here : http://cybercultures.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/paper-gem-earrings-diy/ . I love your blog, very inspiring. Sharing is caring, I do mention you several times in my articles. xoxo
Thanks Mina…the earrings look great…I never thought of using them in that way. Cool!
I’ve been printing these out over and over.. the dashed lines don’t show up.. help?
I put it on photo quality but it still doesn’t print the dashed lines D:
Not origami brah. Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, no cutting. No gluing.
Hi! Thank you so much for posting. I will be using your templates for our kids activity on Sunday. Your works simply inspires me! I am confident the kids will have fun with these just like I did…. God bless… Thanks for being so generous with your skills and talents… ^^
Thanks for such a kind comment Gem – I hope you had fun making the gems. Kate ^_^
Hello!
I love the jewles! I have been making them at work when it gets slow. I am planning on making a garland with them and using them to decorate for birthdays.Thank you for posing the templets.
Glad you are having fun Honey Bunny ^_^
Hello, I work for a paper company in NJ and I do a lot of the artwork for shows and products cover. We recently started making a plastic poster board that I used to create these jewels. It worked wonderfully!! I am so happy with the finished product. Using your stencils to create beautiful gems out of the plastic was easy and fun. Thank you so much!!
Oh, I love these paper gems – they are absolutely gorgeous. Your blog is so creative and inspiring – I am really loving what I am seeing!
Ty wonderful talent making grandson crystal knack costume I was thinking how am I gonna do this, you my dear have shown me a way I may make his dream come true,
Thank you.
Judith
This has saved my life (well not literally) thank you very much :))
Hi There,
Recently i red your blog, it’s really fantastic and especially your blog images. I had never imagined that such may Gemstone.
THANK YOU
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Wow, what a nice blog about paper gemstones. Beautiful images that are vivid and valuable as learning aids for Kid’s Activity
Hi! So I’m 11,and homeschooled. I get very bored during the day,and I was on Pinterest (yes,I am on Pinterest) yesterday and decided to look up paper craft. I saw these cute little gems and your diamond and decided that I could maybe do them. My question is,how do you do some of the folds? Otherwise,I think it would be easy and cute to hang around my room. Thanks,Dani.
Are you really 11 years old ?
Fabulosos objetos!!! Gracias
Help! I also have the same problem with glueing the final flaps… is there a proper order to glue them in? I can’t figure it out!