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If you love getting crafty during the holiday season but want something that’s both easy to make and looks high-end, this 3D paper snowflake ornament is perfect for you! It looks just like the ones you’d find at West Elm or Crate & Barrel – but for a fraction of the cost!
3D paper snowflake ornament DIY process is from 7:19 to 11:09
These snowflakes are not only beautiful and modern but also super easy to make, perfect for decorating your home for the holidays or anytime you want to add a little winter charm. So, let’s jump right into the DIY!
Want to skip the tricky part of designing?
I’ve created a ready-to-use template you can download!
This way, you don’t have to worry about drawing the design yourself and can focus on the fun part – assembling and decorating!
You can get the template here, and it’ll help you get perfect snowflakes every time!
To make one snowflake, you’ll need to cut 9 identical pieces.
Please note that the pattern inside the snowflake contains many small, intricate details. So for best results, it’s recommended to use a cutting machine.
Sources: 1. Brother ScanNCut Electronic Cutting Machine with Scanner (I use) 2. Cricut Maker 3
Some pieces have a little hole at the base, while others don’t. I’ve included the version with the hole in the template so you can easily thread a string through and hang the snowflake on your tree.
Paper I used: 1. White Cardstock Paper by Recollections 2. Gold Foil Paper
So if you plan on hanging your snowflake, make sure 2 of the total 9 pieces have the hole at the base.
Next, we need to score the fold lines in the center of each section.
I use a craft knife to mark these middle lines.
I didn’t include these lines directly on the templates because having dashed scoring lines visible wouldn’t look very nice. However, all the other fold lines are already included in the template, so you’ll find it easy to fold everything else.
Just be careful not to press too hard with the knife to avoid cutting through the paper.
Sources: 1. Craft knife w/replaceable steel blade 2. Clear Ruler 12″
Next, we need to fold each section.
And to make gluing easier, it’s helpful to fold each section flat first, similar to an envelope.
Holding the pieces together while gluing can be awkward and messy. So by laying it flat on the table, you’ll find it much easier to glue and achieve a cleaner finish.
For gluing the parts, I recommend using some kind of fast-drying glue.
Avoid regular thin and runny craft glue, as it dries very slow and can warp the paper. Hot glue isn’t ideal option either, because it has volume and creates a noticeable raised surface.
So look for a craft glue that dries quickly without being too runny.
A glue stick is a great alternative, as it prevents messy glue oozing from the seams.
I prefer my fast-drying glue to get everything done quickly. But if you want a super neat finish, a glue stick is the way to go!
Remember not to apply too much glue to avoid it squeezing out over the edges.
And always check that the parts aren’t stuck inside together due to glue leakage. If they are, carefully separate them with a craft knife before the glue completely dries.
So like this I glue all my 9 parts together.
Alright, let’s get started with gluing the parts together.
First, I’ll glue the two pieces with holes for the thread. I found this beautiful metallic pearl floss that I think will be perfect for this snowflake. So I thread the floss through both parts, tie a small knot, and then glue them together.
At this point, I’ll switch to hot glue just because it’s a lot faster.
You only need to apply glue to the triangle at the base. Try to be careful and not glue the thread so it can move freely, and make sure all the edges are aligned.
To make sure everything stays even, I glue the parts in pairs first, then I glue two pairs together, and so on.
This method results in a more level final piece compared to gluing the parts one on one, which can increase the chances of misalignment. I hope this makes sense.
Once all the parts are glued, the final step is to open the snowflake and glue the ends together.
Alternatively, you can choose not to glue the ends and instead attach magnets. This way, you’ll be able to conveniently store the snowflake folded and easily open it up whenever you need.
Sources: 1. Small thin magnets 2. Full size adjustable temperature hot glue gun
I decided to glue my snowflake, and this is the beauty I ended up with :-).
This snowflake is a type of paper craft where you can experiment with different papers, unlike other paper crafts (such as paper flowers) that often require specific weights or textures.
For example, in one of my snowflakes, I used gold foil paper, which has a white back. But I flipped it and used the white side for the outside of the snowflake and the shiny gold side for the inside.
I think it turned out really unique and festive – what do you think?
Paper I used: 1. White Cardstock Paper by Recollections 2. Gold Foil Paper
The finished snowflake is about 7.5 inches in diameter. It’s wonderfully fluffy, lovely, and the best part is, it’s super easy to make!
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make this fun and festive 3D paper snowflake ornament!
If you decide to try it out, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below to share your experience, or let me know if you have any questions.
Happy crafting😘🎄!
It’s another easy and stylish project that’s perfect for the holidays. Plus, I’ve included a free template to help you get started!
Click here to learn more and grab your free template!
I’m Oksana and I love paper flowers and all things paper. Here at FancyBloom I design new flower templates, make paper flower tutorials, and share my ideas and inspiration for fancy and modern craft.
