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 3D Slot Form Ornament

Seven layers (or thereabout) of card stock are layered 

and glued together to simulate the thickness 

of plywood shapes for center three cross arms and 

flourished arms main snowflake. 

Measures approx. 5.75" tall x 4.75" wide x 1.5" deep. 

Punch hole on top arm allows ribbon or twine loop 

for hanging and display. 

Card stock thickness test shapes also included. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
(see step 2 for information regarding
the quantity of shapes to cut for the build up
of the various shapes to resemble ply wood)
cut 5 middle layers, 
1 white front, 
1 rev. white back
of each (7 total layers):
Arm A (left center slot)
Arm B (left and right center slots)
Arm C (right center slot)
D main snowflake flourish shape

2. Before cutting shapes, perform a TEST using

the card stock selected for this project

to determine how many shapes need to be layered

to fill (but not be too tight) for the designed slots.

a. cut 7-8 oval shapes to represent the component

layers (5-6 interior "brown", 1 white front, 1 white back)

b. layer to represent the stack, and preview

the fit by simply holding stack together, then inserting

through the "window" opening 

c. glue up as a final check for correct number of layers.

3. Layer the cut shapes of each of the components

and glue together, taking care to align cut edges

as precisely as possible, paying particular

attention to the interior edges of the SLOTS

of Arms A, B & C, and the radiation SLOTS

of the main snowflake shape.

As the shapes layering proceeds or is
completed, press flat using a weight such as
this re-purposed free weight covered with fabric
to help keep the shape flat, avoid warping
and curling, until the glue is completely dried

4. Begin the assembly by fitting together

Arm A and Arm B in an 'X' form . . . 

. . . then turning the assembly upside down

to fit Arm C across the center of the 'X' . . . 

. . . and sliding the three arms together
so that front and back "peaks" are even
and slots are well "locked" together.

5. Working quickly, carefully apply a quick-dry 

glue dab next to the slots to help join 

the arms together, then  . . .

. . . adjust the star form to fit it into
radiating slots of the main flourish snowflake
shape before glue dries.

6. Slide the arms section through slots
until they are centered front-to-back . . .

. . . and extensions are equally visible
on each side of the flourish snowflake shape.
7. Apply a dab of glue at each arm tip
to help attach in place.

8. Loop a soft-style ribbon through top

hang hole to complete the 3D Snowflake.