Snowflake Slot Form Swirls 3D Ornament

Dimensional snowflake hanging ornament has swirly arms. 

Composed of six-point base with converging slots that hold 

center "double" arm and four shorter arm cross pieces, 

all made thick by layering multiple (8 or more) 

identical cut shapes to resemble die-cut wood. T

op punch hole included for hanging ribbon - 

add a 1/2" diam. painted wood bead for extra accent. 

Measures approx. 4.3" wide x 5.6" tall x 1.75" deep. 

Slot guide included to help determine 

how many build-up layers should be cut.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
(NOTE: slight modifications may have been
made in shape during the 
* test then cut quantity to create thickness 
that fits in slot; see Step 2
A whole snowflake 'body' cut 8*
B whole center arm shape cut 8*
C diagonal half arm: cut 4 sets of 2 for front layer,
2 for back layer, 4* with nib for center layers
D slot for layers thickness measuring guide

2. To test the quantity of layers that will be best

for this snowflake, layer the suggested quantity -

eight (including contrast front and back layers

for the model being constructed in this tutorial) -

then layer (but DON'T glue) them.

With even edges, fit the end of the layered shape
into the cut slot of the measuring guide.
If it is somewhat snug, the 8 quantity will be best.
If too snug, remove one interior layer, and re-test.
If not snug enough, add an additional layer
and re-test.
Once the best thickness quantity is determined,
cut all the shapes needed.

3. Layer and glue together (use lightest coating

of liquid glue that will achieve good connection

of layers) the stacks for each shape:

1 whole main, 1 whole center arm,

*4 half diagonal arms.

(*see step 4)

Take care while gluing up that all edges are aligned

and matched up as precisely as possible.

Pay particular attention to the slot openings

edge match.

NOTE: it may be good practice to layer and glue up

the shapes a portion at a time, such as half,

then press and let dry, then proceed to stack

any remaining shapes and glue together.

Use a flat weight placed on top of the layered shape,
such as this fabric-covered re-purposed free weight,
to press the stack flat until the glue as dried
completely, which could take a few hours.
The pressing with a flat weight will help avoid
warping of curling caused by drying glue, and
should be considered essential.

4. For the half arm stacks, make sure that the center

shapes include the nib that will fit into the center

whole arm slot and help with positioning.

5. When the shapes are stacked and completely

dry and flat, fit the whole arm into the center slot

of the main snowflake shape, and center it and

glue in place.

6. Insert the first diagonal half arm into one of

the diagonal slots and . . . 

. . . nudge the center nib

into the whole arm center slot, center up

and glue in place, both where it fits in its own slot,

as well as . . . 

. . . where the perpendicular edges touch.

(This image shows all of the diagonal half arms

in position, with glue being applied to touching edges.)

Here is the completed snowflake.

7. To finish the ornament, consider threading a

length of soft ribbon through the top punch hole,

then both ends through a 1/2" diam. bead

(this one was painted), then knot the ribbon ends.

It has also been sprayed with adhesive mist,

and sprinkled liberally with clear crystal glitter.

Snowflake Accordion Hanger

Large hanging dimensional ornament is composed

of six assembled wedges connected at

triangular side panels which allow it to be

spread into a circle and temp-connected with

push-thru tab (assisted with temp adhesive if desired)

and hung by attached ribbon loop.

Later, undo the tab and collapse the wedges

into a stack for easy storage.

Measures approx. 11.75x11x3 when opened.

Hang as a single winter time ornament, or

in a series, with or without the decorative panels

on front and/or back.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A wedge section #1 (left end)
B wedge sections #2-5 (center)
C wedge section #6 (right end)
D accent shape half pairs (6 pairs)

2. Prepare ALL SIX wedge sections by bending

back on all perforation lines, including tab flanges

at sides and bottom.

3. Position and attach the decor shapes to the

central "whole" arm area, aligning the "straight"

accent center edges up the center perforation

so that they abut.

NOTE: it is possible to put accent shapes

on the backside of the star wedges also,

(this is why the accents are split in half in file)

which would involve cutting a second set

of 6 pairs, then attaching them at the "half arm"

areas on left and right ends of each wedge unit.

(This sample will only include accents on front.)

Here is the completed wedge 

with front only accents.

4. Fold the side and bottom tab flanges inward . . .

. . . then fold the wedge on its center front perf line

to bring the "straight" side and bottom edges

to overlap the tab fold edges to perforations.

(The wedge is now in its trapezoid form.)

5. Apply adhesive to the tabs and secure

the side and bottom seams.

6. The wedge can now be transformed into

its wedge form by pressing the pointed arm

portions of front and back together . . .  

. . . while allowing 

the side triangle faces to push

outward to the sides.

This is the dimensional wedge form.

7. Re-identify the left end wedge

by locating its push-through tab.

The right end wedge will have

a corresponding circular opening.

8. Prepare to join the wedge sections

by lining up the left end wedge (push-through tab)

with the first of the middle wedges with their

triangle faces brought together.

This is how they will be connected.

However . . . 

. . . the wedges will be re-transformed into

their trapezoid form during the attachment process.

9. Apply adhesive to one of the triangle faces . . .

. . . then layer the two together while matching

up as precisely as possible the side angle folds

and the bottom fold, and the top center points.

Apply a good amount of pressure to ensure

that the connection is thorough and complete.

NOTE: placing a flat weight on the sections

during the glue-drying process may be advisable.

10. Continue to add the wedge sections to the

assembly stack, first the remaining 3 middle

wedges, then the final right end wedge (tab hole).

Take care with alignment, and add adequate

pressure to ensure good joining.

11. Unfold the accordion snowflake by allowing
or assisting the wedges to spread into a circle,
transforming from their flat trapezoid forms . . . 

. . . into their dimensional wedge forms,
while bringing the left and right end triangle faces
together . . .

. . . so that they finally touch, and it is possible

to push the circle tab of one through 

the circle opening of the other.

This will "lock" the snowflake into its open form.

Here is the snowflake opened and locked.

When the snowflake needs to be stored,

this tab can be released, and the snowflake

folded back into its trapezoid stack form.

If the closing faces don't stay tightly together

enough to suit, a little temp adhesive tape or dots

may be added to assist.

12. Attach a ribbon hanging loop through
a selected front/back pair of point punch holes.

Here is the completed snowflake.