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Craft guide
Folded Paper Angel Ornament with Fan Wings
Make a folded paper angel ornament with a dusty-blue dress, ivory fan wings, and a plain wooden bead head. The accordion folds give the paper shape and depth, while a short cotton loop makes the finished angel easy to hang on an indoor Christmas tree or decorative hook.
This design uses solid-colored paper and a separate pair of wings. It keeps the wooden head unpainted, with no drawn face, hair, bow, or extra decoration. Children can help measure and fold the rectangles, while an adult assists with scissors, threading, and secure knots. You do not need printed book pages or a hot glue gun for this version.
- Difficulty:
- Easy to medium
- Recommended age:
- 7+ with adult supervision
- Time needed:
- About 25–35 minutes, plus glue-setting time
- Main materials:
- Colored paper, ivory paper, wooden bead, cotton cord, tacky glue
- Finished craft:
- A hanging paper angel ornament with a pleated dress and fan wings

Materials You Will Need
- One dusty-blue paper rectangle, 18 cm wide and 12 cm tall. Use approximately 100–140 gsm paper that holds a crease without becoming too stiff.
- One ivory paper rectangle, 16 cm wide and 8 cm tall, in a similar weight.
- One smooth, round wooden bead, approximately 2.5 cm in diameter, with a hole large enough for two strands of your cord to pass through comfortably.
- One 35 cm length of thin ivory cotton cord, approximately 1 mm thick, for the hanging loop and neck attachment.
- One separate 10 cm length of thin cotton thread or cord to secure the wing center.
- A small amount of tacky craft glue, approximately 1 teaspoon or less.
- Scrap paper to protect the table from glue.
Tools You Will Need
Gather scissors, a pencil, a ruler, and one or two small clips to hold glued paper briefly while it sets. A bone folder is optional; the flat edge of a ruler can also help press a crease. Use clips gently so they do not leave deep marks. An adult should check that the bead is smooth and that the cord fits its hole before starting.
How to Make a Folded Paper Angel Ornament
1Step 1: Cut the Paper and Prepare the Bead
Measure and cut the blue rectangle to 18 × 12 cm and the ivory rectangle to 16 × 8 cm. Keep the corners square so the folds line up evenly. Cut the 35 cm hanging cord and the separate 10 cm wing tie, then place all the pieces on a clear table.
Inspect the wooden bead for rough edges. Test two cord ends in its hole, then remove them so the bead stays separate until the final step. If the hole is too small, choose thinner cord or a bead with a larger hole rather than forcing it. Do not add a face or wrap the bead; its plain wood surface is part of the finished design.

2Step 2: Accordion Fold the Blue Dress
Place the blue rectangle with its 18 cm edge running left to right. Mark 1 cm intervals along the top and bottom edges. Fold between matching marks, alternating forward and backward, so the creases run the full 12 cm height. You will have 18 narrow panels.
Compress the folded stack and pinch the uppermost 1 cm of its height into a narrow neck. Add very small dabs of tacky glue between the layers in that top area, avoiding the rest of the dress. Hold or clip the gathered end until it stays together, following the glue's setting directions.
Spread the lower part gently into a fan. Keep the bottom edge even, and stop spreading before the top begins to tear. The dress is now shaped, while the ivory wing paper remains flat and separate.

3Step 3: Fold and Tie the Ivory Wings
Place the ivory rectangle with its 16 cm edge running horizontally. This time, mark 0.5 cm intervals down the 8 cm height. Make alternating horizontal folds across the full width, creating 16 panels. Compress the paper into a narrow pleated strip approximately 16 cm long.
Find the midpoint of that strip and tie the short 10 cm thread around it. Make a secure knot, then trim the loose thread ends. Gently spread the paper on both sides of the midpoint to form two matching sideways half-fans. Keep the center pinched together so the wings do not unfold into a flat sheet.
Compare the two sides and adjust them gradually. They should be similar in size, but the handmade folds do not need to be mechanically perfect. At this stage, the wing pair and blue dress still lie separately on the table.

4Step 4: Join the Wings Behind the Dress
Place a small dab of tacky glue on the tied center of the ivory wings. Position that center behind the gathered blue dress neck, so the two wings extend evenly to the left and right. From the front, the blue neck should hide the wing tie.
Hold the joint gently or use a small clip on the hidden center while the glue sets. Keep glue out of the open fan folds, where it could flatten the shape or leave visible marks. Do not attach the bead or hanging cord yet.
Once the joint holds, lay the partial angel safely on the table and check its symmetry. Support the neck when handling it rather than pulling on a wing tip. Let this attachment set sufficiently before moving to the next step.

5Step 5: Add the Wooden Head and Hanging Loop
Fold the 35 cm hanging cord in half. Make an overhand stopper knot in the paired strands about 8 cm below the folded end; the space above that knot becomes the hanging loop. Feed both free ends together through the bead from top to bottom. Slide the bead up toward the stopper knot, then tie another small knot immediately beneath the bead to hold it in place.
Use the remaining free ends to tie the bead securely around the gathered paper neck. The head should sit directly above the dress, with the wings behind it. Add a tiny dab of tacky glue at the bead-to-neck contact if needed, and trim the excess cord without cutting the attachment knot. Keep the ends short and hidden rather than making a bow.
Allow all glue joints to set as directed. Hold the ornament over the table by its loop to check that the bead, dress, and wings remain attached. If anything slips, repair the joint and allow it to set again before hanging.

Helpful Tips for Making This Craft
Check the fold marks before creasing. Even spacing helps the dress flare neatly and keeps the two wings balanced. Lightweight paper is easier to fold than thick cardstock, but very thin tissue paper may not support the wooden head well.
Use glue sparingly. A thick layer adds moisture and can soften the paper. Keep the ornament dry, and hang it away from candles, heaters, and open flames. The bead and short cord pieces are small parts, so keep them away from younger children.
Easy Ways to Customize the Craft
Try a muted sage dress with cream wings, or a burgundy dress with pale blush wings. Keep the bead plain to retain the simple design. Children can choose the paper colors before measuring and cutting.
For a smaller ornament, make a separate size plan and choose a lighter bead. Do not shrink the paper while keeping a heavy head, because the neck and hanging joint may need more support. Test one completed angel before making a whole group.
Where to Hang and Store It
Hang the angel on a dry indoor Christmas tree, a decorative hook, or a handmade gift display. It can accompany a wrapped present, provided the paper folds will not be crushed in transit. Use the hanging loop rather than taping directly across the dress or wings.
Store the angel in a shallow box with space around both fans. Support the bead so it does not press down on the paper. Before displaying it again, check the neck knot and glued wing joint, and gently reshape any folds that have flattened.
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