Transform your gift giving with a playful twist – create an origami box packed with dazzling origami stars!
Make your box
With 2 pieces of pattern paper from Teen Breathe Issue 42 (or other fun craft paper you have on hand) cut a square from each one with one square being slightly smaller than the other.
Keep the cut-off rectangles for use later.
1 Starting with your smaller square of paper, fold and unfold the paper in half horizontally and vertically.
2 Fold the four corners toward the centre point.
3 Fold the top and bottom of this square into the centre and open out again to create these creases.
4 Open out the top and bottom triangular flaps.
5 Fold the sides of the model into the centre, creasing well.
6 Fold down top corner of the model and then open out again. Repeat on the other end of the model.
7 At one end of the model, open out along the creases you just made. This will raise the top portion of the model vertically. Fold top of model over into the box.
8 Repeat at the other end to create your box.
Repeat the steps 1–9 to create the lid of your box.
Fill your box with origami stars
Cut long strips from the rectangles left behind from your pattern paper to make some origami stars.
1 Start by taking one end of your paper strip and looping it around.
2 Push the short end through the loop to form a knot and pull gently.
3 Press flat to make a pentagon shape. Tuck the short end of the paper strip into the knot. If the end is too long and doesn’t fit you can either trim it with a pair of scissors or carefully shuffle the knot closer to the end of the strip.
4 Wrap the long end around each side of your pentagon to make a diagonal fold. It should follow in the right direction.
5 Keep going until you have a small tailpiece left.
6 Tuck the end of the strip of paper securely into the knot.
7 It’s now time to inflate your star and make the points. Pinch in the sides of the pentagon by taking the points of the star between your thumb and forefinger and squeezing.
8 Rotate and repeat for each point to make your star puff up. To make a sharper corner you can use your fingernail to push in the edges.
P.S. Make sure to tag us in photos of your fun creations – @teenbreatheau
This article was originally published under the title DIY Gift Box in Issue 42 – In the Feels. You can get this issue here to enjoy more fun inspiration.
