A PDF with a template to print for this project is at the bottom of this post. If you don’t have anything to make your circles for this project a template is included in the pdf file.
I made these Polish Star Ornaments this year (aka Polish Porcupine Ornaments) these were so easy to make and they look fantastic on the tree. While watching tv at night I made about 20 of these, I’m definitely going to make more of these next year!! This year I made mainly white ornaments and a few brown (from brown shipping paper). Next year I will make more in silver and some in aqua for my silver, white and aqua tree. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! Give them a try next year you won’t regret it! I used some on my trees and gave some away with Christmas gifts! They were a big hit 🙂
To make one of these ornaments you will need:
- A pen or pencil (to form the points)
- Something sharp to poke a hole through the center of each piece of paper, I used a lobster pick, a toothpick would work too if you use a compass to draw your circles you can use that to poke a hole through the circles of paper.
- Scissors
- White Glue (to glue the points)
- Jewelry Cord (to hold the pieces together, string, twine, ribbon etc can also be used)
- 2 Jewelry spacing beads (to keep the cord on both ends taught)
- 5 Sheets of 8.5 x 11 Paper (wrapping paper, printer paper, brown shipping paper etc)
- A Compass or object you can use to draw around about 4″ wide, I used a candle
- A Compass or object you can use to draw around about 1″ wide, I used a coin
1. Use your 4″ circle (I used a candle that is roughly 4″) and draw 4 circles onto a piece of paper then use your 1″ circle (I used a coin) and draw the inner circle in the middle of the larger circle. Do this on 5 pieces of 8.5 x 11 pieces of paper for a total of 20 large circles. Or use the template at the end of this post.
2. Cut the larger circles out. Then Fold the circle in half, fold a second time in half (1/4), then a third time in half (1/8).
3. Open your circles up you will see the center of your circle punch a tiny hole out there I used a lobster pick, you can use anything that is slightly sharp, a toothpick even!
4. Cut each line to the smaller circle. You can see in the photo above where the cuts are made.
5. Put a small dab of glue on the point of one tab, then wrap the tab around a pencil or pen hold in place for a few seconds so the glue sets, do this for all 8 tabs.
6. Slip a spacer bead onto your jewelry cord halfway down the cord (you can also use string, twine, thin ribbon etc, I just happened to have elastic jewelry cord on hand) I didn’t take a photo of this so I had to draw a diagram for this part.
7. Draw both ends of the cord together, slip both ends through your first piece of paper making sure this piece of paper has the point side facing up so the bead is on the back side (see photo below), then slip both ends through the rest of your pieces of paper with the points facing down (opposite of the first piece you put on see photo below) do this for all remaining 19 pieces of paper.
Points Facing Up:
Points Facing Down:
8 After putting your last piece of paper onto your cord, put your second spacer bead through one side only of the string, pull both strings taught so it will cause the pieces of paper to scrunch together, then tie the string into a knot where the spacer bead is.
9. Tie another knot where the two ends of the cord meet, that will create your loop to hang the ornament on your tree!
You can print a template from this pdf file Polish Star Ornament Template
You may also like this ornament
Linking up at Setting for four
They are very beautiful. I have tried making them but can’t seem to get the hang of getting them to polnt.
I use a pencil tip to get a tight point. Wrap the paper tightly around a pencil.
I used red glittery wrapping paper and tiny buttons instead of beads. Hadn’t made these since grade school and am so happy to find directions to make them again!
I bet they are beautiful in the red glitter paper!
When I was a little girl, I saw these in one of our Polish Traditions books. They looked hard. Many years later I discovered your site and decided to try them (since I am all Polish)…they look incredible! It was a little tricky getting used to making the points but not that I have it the last ones went quicker. My ornament looked plenty full enough using only 14-16 circles. But if I make a larger one – for a window or archway – I may need to do the 20 or even a few more. Thanks for the instructions. Have a great Christmas!
Thank you so much Mary! It’s great to hear you made these too 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
I’ve always wanted to learn how to make these! Thank you! Pinned it!
Thank you so much Kim! They are so easy you will be making a ton of them!!
What are the 19 pieces of paper in the instructions. ? It said 5 pices of paper . I am confused about this
Hi, you need to print 5 sheets of the paper with the circles in the template that will give you 20 circle cut outs per ornament.
Hi Dria! Popping in (again!) to let you know I am featuring your amazing ornaments tomorrow night and thank you again so much for sharing them at Best of the Weekend! Hope you have a happy Friday!
Aww Thank you so much Cindy!! I’m so honored 🙂
I am going to try these this year. My husband is turning 70, on Dec.27, 2013. I was looking for something we could use for decorations for our Church basement for Christmas & then use for his birthday party also. This will work. I might experiment & even try to make a few bigger ones.I will send a picture of our church basement when it is done. Thank you for posting this & GOD Bless you & your family this Holiday Season.
Aww that’s so nice Dee I would LOVE to see your decorations!! Happy Birthday to your Husband. God Bless you and your family this Christmas season as well 🙂
Dria, these are gorgeous!!!! Wow, I love these! Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning and sharing!
😉 Thank you Cindy!!
Wow these look high end! I was just at Crate & Barrel today and saw so many things that looked just like this. Very nicely done, Dria!
Aww thank you so much Jeanette! I’m having too much fun making all my ornaments this year!
Will two pony beads work?
Hi Ms Match, any bead will work with this project, I used the beads I had on hand!
how can i print out this project?
Hi Rose I just edited the post to include a template you can find that at the end of the post under the last photo!
Love the craft and love the dog!
Than you so much Barbalene!
Hi! I made the same style ornament using an old gift bag. These are very elegant looking in all white.
JoAnn
Hi JoAnn, they are so easy to make aren’t they? I love the all white but I think other colors would be fun too. What a great idea using wrapping paper I bet you can make some really nice ones using silver or gold wrapping paper or even solid red and solid lime green, will definitely keep that in mind for next year thanks for the tip!!
I am definitely going to try these. They look so elegant. Thank you!
They are super easy to do! I’d love to see yours when you are done! Thanks for stopping by!