Paper gems (+ templates)
This has got to be one of my favorite 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! (Not very eco-friendly but I found it hard to resist). 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. Download the minieco-paper-gems.pdf
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!
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kristin #
wow, these are beautiful! thanks so much, kate!
creativejewishmom/sara #
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!
Kate #
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!
Fenke #
these are awesome! and they make killer tree ornaments aswell
Patsy #
So pretty, Kate – and very technical, you are clever!!! x
Kate #
Thanks Mum!
x
Thea Natalie #
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!!
Aimee #
Love this! LOVE!
Ann #
Love these and will be sharing the link. I daresay you’ve inherited your Mum’s math skill even if you don’t care for it.
Would origami paper be a good weight or do you recommend something heftier?
Kate #
Hi Ann,
I’m not sure about the math thing…I think I can do it but it doesn’t come naturally! My brain really did hurt figuring out these templates.
As for paper I think origami paper would be too thin. The paper i used was about the same weight as regular printer paper. Any advice on glue?? You are a fabulous paper-crafter and I’m sure have a much better idea than me!
Ann #
Aw, that’s so nice of you to say, Kate, thank you! I’m a fan of glue sticks for this sort of project, just as you suggested. Double-sided super-sticky tape might work well too, although I have a feeling the width would need to be cut down in size, making it a bit fiddly.
Nea #
Thank you, these are beautiful!
Helen #
Wow Kate – these are fabulous. (It must be all the ABBA you listen to – a favourite of mine too!)
Kate #
Haha…I used to dance to abba when i was a little girl. The boys love them too…great for boogies in the kitchen!
Helen #
I feel sure Super Trouper is a nursery rhyme.
mk #
hi people this is cool
littlewrenpottery #
Nice how pretty! I couldnt decide if they were crayons or paper when I first saw them : ) very cute!
nata #
LOVE.
Steve (Blue Dot Paper Shop) #
Just made some of these out of metallic paper… They look AWESOME! Thanks!
Kate #
yeah!! send me a pic….i wanna see!
Deniz Kahraman #
I loved them
thanks
Sarah #
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.
val #
this are really gems and also loved your paper wrap as alway alll you share is beautiful
regards
Val
AImee #
I came back over this morning because I saw these http://www.learningresources.com/product/teachers/shop+by+subject/math/product+type/manipulatives/place+value+foam+dice.do that I needed to teach a lesson on place value. I thought of your gems. I’m not sure any of them will work but I’m sure you could make something like this with all your talent. Something a math teacher can just print and use with her students. ; ) Thanks for your super cute ideas.
Molly Smith #
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
Vixie #
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
Kate #
Thanks Vixie! Nice roundup
celine #
really cool ! but i don’t know what to do with them ? they are so beautiful , i can leave them in a jar ?…like a treasure !
thank Kate !
Kate #
string them up!
Deanna #
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!
Kate #
will have to try to get a hold of it in the UK….thanks for the tip Deanna
Jessica Jones #
These are super, Kate! I blogged about them and linked over here!
Kate #
thanks Jessica…loooove your blog so chuffed to be featured
seelvana #
downloading!
thanx for sharing =)
Adelle #
These are great! I made some to hang in my window as christmas decorations! They also look very beautiful with a little bit of silver glitter.
Stine #
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…
Kate #
Yeah….let me know what your sister thought!
teresita #
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
Lindsay #
Cannot wait to try these! I shared this on my blog =]
raku #
thanks so much!!!
Bricolente #
C’est magnifique !! Thank you for the pdf. Merci !
annina #
Thank you so much for these instructions, and breaking your brain doing them! I tried immediately, thinking that i never could achieve the same look – but behold, they came out nice! So thank you again, and hoping it will be ok for you when i share this link on our blog?
Kate #
Hurrah….glad they came out nicely. Easy once you have the knack I think!
Kocchan #
Posted mine on my facebook page (linked as my website here)
LOVED IT!
kim #
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!
Livia E. #
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 !
Ásdís Paulsdóttir #
How generous of you – beautiful – thanks.
philuko #
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
Kate #
Ooooh. They look lovely
Rakesh #
Trying using rubber cement for glue! It works well with the weight of printer paper!
mila goudet #
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
Hanna #
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
Kate #
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.
Tari #
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.
Indigo Kennedy #
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 .
Indigo Kennedy #
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
Kate #
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!
Indigo Kennedy #
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.
Rose #
These are so cool!
I’m trying to subscribe to your RSS feed but the link seems to be broken.
Kate #
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.
tezukuri #
Thank you very much for the templates… Check what I made with them, just love it!
MadeByTammy #
These are awesome! Thank you so much for sharing.
Elle #
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!
Mary #
I love everything on your website! A HUGE thank you to you!!!!!!
aurelie #
Such a great idea
Thank you for breaking your brain for us.
Have a look at my (or rather my boyfriend’s) result here:
http://chancediscovery.blogspot.com/2012/02/diamonds.html
Kate #
Hi Aurelie,
They look absolutely amazing!! Your b/friend did a great job. Love love love the colour combinations…
I’m working on some more paper diamonds so do come back soon!
Cheerio for now
Kate
Hanna Charlotte #
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
Kate #
Thanks for the tip Hannah…I’ll have to try and see if I can buy some
mk #
is that true do you realy like it
Kate #
HI MK…I haven’t bought any yet but will report back if I do
Adrian #
Doing these tomorrow! Thank you so much :3
Justpep #
Thanks for the idea and great thanks for the pdf file having the templates, you can share things like these in JustPep.com
lotta #
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!
Kate #
Yay! Thanks for letting me know lotta ^_^
Diane #
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!
Kate #
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 ^_^
January #
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