3D Paper Stars

Have you ever seen little paper stars like these? They're very easy to make, and they're a fun way to recycle a bit of junk mail into something colorful and decorative.



Steps

1.

A long, narrow strip.
Cut a long, narrow strip of paper about 1 cm wide and as long as whatever page you are cutting.


2.

A simple knot.
Tie a simple knot (the same kind you use to tie your shoes) at one end. Cross the ends of the strips and pull one end through the loop that forms. If you want the color from a particular end of the strip, tie the knot at the other end. Don't twist the paper, just loop it around.
3.

Gently tighten the knot.

Gently pull the knot without creasing or squeezing the strip of paper. When all the edges are in contact press it down and crease. You should have a pentagon with a long end and a short end sticking out.
4.

Fold the short end over, following the edges of the pentagon, so that it does not stick out. If there's a little more than a pentagon width, you can tear it off or fold it under and tuck it in.
5.

Wrap the long end around and around the pentagon, following the edges and the folds. The result should be a fatter pentagon. Fold so that the color you want faces out, if the two sides of the strip are different.
6.

Tuck in the loose end. If there is a little too much, fold it over or tear it off before tucking it in.
7.

Pinch the corners to make the pentagon into a star.