Snowflake Ornament with Year Date

 

Six-pointed classic snowflake has multiple layers 

glued together to be thick and sturdy like 

a balsa cut out. Hang hole at center top can be threaded 

with twine or narrow ribbon. 

Center hexagon overlay with cut out windows 

that can be filled with separate contrast numerals 

to mark a memorable “first” Christmas for couple or baby, 

the New Year, or winter season. 

Model shows 2024, with other year overlays 2022-2028 

also included in the file. 

Alternately, create a simpler ornament with 

no center dated overlay. 

Snowflake measures approx. 5” wide x 4.3” tall when fully assembled. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A interior snowflake shapes 6-8 for thickness

B & C contrast front and back snowflake shapes

to layer

D date overlay hexagon plus numeral cut outs

(be sure to collect the interior shapes - see next image)

E opt. plain outer and inner hexagon overlays

in place of dated hexagon, or for backside

As the date hexagon is cut and removed from mat,

be sure to collect and retain the interior shapes 

from '0', '4', '6' or '8'.

2. Layer each of the interior snowflake shapes . . .

. . . and front, back snowflake shapes and glue together,

one by one, taking great care to align all cut edges.

Watch for the top position hang hole and match

all shapes using that as a bearing.

Immediately press the stacked shape under a heavy

flat weight such as this thick book, possibly with something

else heavy placed on top for more weight.

Leave weight(s) in place for several hours or over night

to help prevent warping or curling of the liquid glued up stack.

(NOTE this image shows the date hexagon in place;

it is recommended to press the snowflake stack alone

before adding the hexagon [then potentially replacing

flat weights for a period of time] so that the stack is

as flat as it can be for even pressing.)

3. Position the date cut out hexagon onto the front

of the snowflake, matching cut edges, and orienting

the date appropriately below the hang hole at

top center. Next . . .

. . . position the numerals into the windows

and glue in place, then finally . . .

. . . position and attach the interior shapes within

the numeral openings.

Here is the completed ornament.

4. Cut, thread, and knot a hang loop through hole.

5. As option alternative to date hexagon,

center the plain smaller hexagon on top of

the full size hexagon and glue together.

Then center and glue onto front and/or back.

Snowflake 3D Ornament Jack Ctr

Magical and dimensional, this snowflake ornament 

adds sparkle to winter, Christmas or themed decor. 

(The center "crown" sort of detail evokes the ball-tipped

vintage children's toy called "jacks and ball".

Cut 7 or 8 layers of the few shapes, align carefully 

and glue together to create thickened components 

resembling thin Baltic birch wood. 

(Use a flat weight to press the shapes while they dry.) 

Fit components together and glue, add hanging 

ribbon or twine. Finished snowflake measures 

approx. 4.7” tall x 3.4” deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

NOTE: each component has 7-8 layers so that when glued

together in a stack and pressed flat with a weight,

they resemble Baltic Birch laser cut shapes.

*Use D test slot and rectangles to determine how many

layers of the papers selected will be needed to fit

snugly into the slot during final assembly.

A whole main snowflake shape

B center double-tipped arm

C single tip arms (6 sets, composed of 1-2 top

layers with straight base, 4 center layers with

center nib base edge, 1-2 top layers with straight base;

see step 3 for details)

*D test slot with 7-8 test rectangles to simulate layers

to determine layer quantity needed for components

2. Stack the test rectangles, then . . . 

. . . insert them into the test slot. They should fit snugly

but still be able to slide through.

3. Single tip components will be composed of 1-2 top

layers with straight base, 4 center layers with

center nib base edge, 1-2 top layers with straight base.

4. Apply adhesive to one surface to be joined, then

layer the first two shapes and precisely align ALL cut

edges. Press thoroughly with fingertips or tools (without

shifting alignment). Continue to add the other shapes in 

sequence until all are stacked and joined, working quickly.

Immediately press the stack under a flat heavy object

such as this book, or wood plank, or covered free weight,

etc. Allow to dry thoroughly - usually several hours.

Pressing in this way helps avoid warping or curling

possible when liquid adhesive is used.

5. Continue the stacking and joining step for each

of the other components.

All components are shown here in finished stacks.

6. Begin the assembly by inserting the side edge

of the double-tipped center shape into the vertical

slot (with hang hole at top) of the whole snowflake . . .

. . . pausing near half way to apply clear quick-grab

glue up the center spine where slot will be positioned.

(Fabri-Tack adhesive used here.)

Push the center arm fully into position so that it

is centered in the slot side to side and also

top to bottom. Hold in place until glue is cured and strong.

7. Place the first of the four single tip arms in similar

manner, inserting the side edge into the slot of one

of the main snowflake arms, pausing to apply glue at

centerline, then pushing fully into place so that slot edges

align at arm center, also assisting the base edge nib

to slot into the double tip arm's center slot.

8. Continue to position, add adhesive, then slide

fully into place the remaining 3 arms.

Here is the completed snowflake with all arms in place.

9. Add clear sparkle glitter (spray adhesive applied

to snowflake surfaces first) as desired.

10. Thread hang ribbon (and bead, as desired)

through top hang hole to finish the ornament.

Snowflake 3D Crystal Layered Ornament

Origami look-alike hexagon star ornament features 

main and secondary points, made dimensional 

with built-up layering. 

Center includes punch hole that assists with alignment, 

for a mini brad stem, or stud, on front and back. 

Petal shaped back adds interest to the reverse side. 

Or, prepare a duplicate set of shapes 

to repeat front dimension-ality on back. 

Measures approx. 4.5" tall x 4" wide. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A. star base shape (4)
B star "points" shapes (6 sets of 4 each)
C backside (optional) petal shape (4)
D hexagon base (4)
E hexagon triangles (6 sets of 4 each)
F crystal points base units (5 sets of 4 each)
G top crystal point base (1 set of 4)
H crystal side overlays (6 sets of
4 left and 6 sets of 4 right)

2. Layer and attach the crystal point sets into stacks of 4,

taking care to line up all edges as precisely as

possible. (Top point shape shown here.)

Place each of the stacked shaped under a flat weight
such as the re-purposed fabric-covered weight 
machine bar shown here, to help keep it flat
during the drying process, and to help avoid
warping and curling of the shape.
(Do this for each of the glued-up stacks  and
assembled layers throughout.)

3. Layer and attach the main hexagon base shapes

in a similar manner, also the main star shapes

petal shapes, triangles, point overlays, etc.

4. Position a star point delta shape at each
inward angle of the stack, aligning edges
as precisely as possible, and glue in place.

5. Position the opt. back petal shape on the backside

of the star assembly, centered, and glue in place.

6. Position each of the hex triangle points stacks

centered at a straight outer edge of the hex base,

and glue in place.

7. Position both left and right stacks on each

of the crystal point stacks, along the long

lower side edges.

8. Note the corner guide marks on the face

of the star base. Use these to position . . . 

. . . the hexagon assembly, then glue in place.

9. Note the guide marks on the hex triangle face,

then use these to center each crystal point unit

on top of the hexagon assembly, centered

between each star point. Apply glue only to

surface(s) that touch, then attach in place.

10. Place a mini brad through the center opening

on front and glue in place.

(If the opt. petals shape was also attached on back,

the depth of the ornament layers will allow a second

mini brad to fit in to backside opening.

Short prongs will remain hidden inside 

the opening "tunnel".

11. Attach a length of soft ribbon or twine through

top hang hole to complete the ornament.

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.