DIY: How To Make Your Own Fairy Lights

TEXT AND IMAGES Orms and Homeology

Give an inexpensive string of fairy lights a fun twist with these colourful diamond shaped lanterns. We have even included the template as a free download so you can make them at home.

Simply print the image you want on top of the template (14 x 14 cm) and start folding.

YOU WILL NEED:

• 2 squares cut from one photograph – we had ours printed on transparent paper at Orms Print Room and Framing.
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• String of fairy lights

HERE’S HOW (You can follow the guide in the gallery above for each step too):

Step 1: Start folding the origami diamond shape by folding over the bottom left corner to the right top corner, making a triangle.

Step 2: Fold it open again and do the same with the bottom right corner folded to the top left corner.

Step 3: Unfold it and turn the square over on the reverse side.

Step 4: Fold the bottom to the top so that it makes a fold in the middle where your two diagonal lines from the previous folds cross.

Step 5: Unfold it and then fold from left to right, creating another fold down the middle. You now have two middle folds and two corner folds crossing each other.

Step 6: Unfold and turn it over. Now give it a twist so that it looks like the shape in the picture.

Step 7: Gently press the sides towards the middle. Now you should be able to fold the top flap towards you.

Step 8: Turn the shape around at 180 degrees so that the open part is at the top. Fold the left and right sides of the top layer only back towards the middle to make a kite-like shape.

Step 9: Cut off the top triangular part.

Step 10: Turn the shape so that the opening faces you. Unfold the left flap and open it a bit. Using your thumb to do this works best. Now fold it over to the right hand side and press down. Finally fold it again to the left hand side and repeat this step on the right.

Step 11: Fold the bottom corners on all sides back and up towards the centre of the shape. They will form the flaps that will glue together at the end.

Step 12: Carefully unfold the entire shape and fold the corners inward.

You have now created the first half of the diamond shape. Repeat all the steps above to fold the second half.

Step 13: Put glue on the flaps and place the two halves together so that it creates a unit. Press down and hold it a while for the glue to set. This is a little tricky and takes a bit of manipulation to get the edges on each other. Don’t give up now – the end result will be worth it!

Step 14: Cut a little hole in the top section of the diamond lantern and put the fairy light bulb through it. Light it up and see how the diamonds come to life.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is essential to use LED fairy lights with paper lanterns, as hot lamps may pose a fire hazard.

HANDY HINT: Be careful not to push down too hard with your nail when pushing down the folds as the transparent paper tears easily.