3D Paper Stars
Introduction
This started as a search for making Moravian Stars (AKA: Herrenhuter sterne / Bethlehem stars). The original Moravian stars were quite complex, eventually I found a relatively simple design with 20 points on a base or core formed by equilateral triangles. This makes it easy to scale and relatively easy to build.
My modified notes based on the original are here as a downloadable pdf file. The initial intent of the document was as a handout for a "messy church" service, hence the "A take home project" on the front page. This contains both the original design and a larger one and notes on how to scale the points of the star should you wish to vary the point lengths. Each design takes 2 pages of the document. So that to build, copy the following on to stiff paper:
- Small star: 1 x page 1 and 3 x page 2
- Large star: 1 x page 3 and 10 x page 4
How is a star with 20 points simplified?! A typical Moravian star will have 26 points. 18 with a square base - forming octagonal rings in the x, y and z axis of the core. Then 8 points with a triangular base. The design here has 20 points all with an identical triangular base, and thus a simpler geometry.
Construction
To make my stars I used 210g per square metre card, but 160gsm should work well too. 210gsm or 160gsm should be strong enough to support the weight of a large star on a 6 or 8mm dowel pushed through the top of one of the star points and rested on the central core. 80gsm (photocopy paper) may work for a small star if given gentle handling.
To build my stars I proceeded as follows:
- Copy templates on to the construction card. I used A4 sheets, but other paper such as old calendars or maps should make interesting projects too.
- Cut out the templates.
- Score along all fold lines.
- Fold toward the score lines so the score lines are not visible on the external surfaces.
- Use a hot melt glue gun to make each component.
- The points should be 3 sided spines with a glue base.
- The core should be a 20 sided "ball", with equilateral facets.
- Assemble the glued components to form the star.
Mounting
Initially I had considered cutting one of the points and using it as a sleeve to go over the top of a Christmas-tree. This is a bad idea. The point is too tight to fit the tops of most Christmas-trees. The star would also settle down into the tree too much for my liking.
My recommendations would be:
- Cut one tip to snuggly fit a dowel. Tie the dowel to the back of the tree trunk and let the star "float" over the top of the tree.
- Punch holes to thread string through one of the points and use it as a hanging ornament.
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