Making the 3-D Six-sided Star---Doing the Math.

I promised to work on a 3-D six-sided star when I posted last time.  Actually the math for it is very easy.  You begin, again, with a 4" x 4" square of cardstock.  Then draw the two diagonals to get a centre point.  After that it's just measuring with your protractor.  Since the circle would have 360 degrees, six points within the circle would require six angles measuring 60 degrees each.  Much easier than the 72 degrees for the five-point star, don't you agree?

Once you've measured out your six angles, extend the lines from each long point across to to corresponding long point.  Do the same with all the "inside" points.  You can see what I mean in this picture.

This will be your template.

Using the template, trace out the star shape on the back of a piece of Glimmer paper.  Again, join the points as you did on the template.  You will see that in my example, below, I have joined the long points in black ink and the short inside points in red ink.  I have a reason for that.

Each line drawn in black ink is going to be the fold line for a "peak".  The Glimmer paper will be folded with back side to back side, Glimmer out, and the fold line will be a peak on the Glimmer side.  Each line drawn in red ink is going to be the fold line for a "valley".  The Glimmer paper will be folded with Glimmer side to Glimmer side and the fold line will be a valley on the Glimmer side.  It makes sense once you do it.

This picture shows a short red ink line being folded.

When all the lines have been folded into peaks or valleys, you will already be able to see the 3-D star taking shape.

Flip it over with the Glimmer side up and gently push in the valleys and help the peaks up, encouraging a point in the centre.

It's a gorgeous star.  It seems almost more solid than the five-pointed variety.  I can see so many possibilities for this star.  For example, can you imagine it in the centre of an ornament?

Of course a five sided star would also be awesome in a five-sided ornament, but I love the way this one turned out.

And finally, by extending one "arm" of the star (extend the line going from long point to long point), you can have a 3-D Star of Bethlehem.

I say "finally", but actually there is no limit, except your imagination.  That's as far as I'm taking it on this blog entry, however.  I hope you'll enjoy experimenting with this 3-D star and share some of your creations.

Below, I've uploaded a template for those who just aren't into "doing the math".   Download, print out, and use as your own template. Enjoy!