I love making paper snowflakes and was excited to learn a fancy new (to me) technique from a co-worker 2 Christmases ago. She and I made so many snowflakes that year (while we should have been working) that I actually got sore spots on my thumb and finger from the scissors!
These snowflakes have words in them! I like making them with names but you can insert whatever word(s) you’d like. Last year I made a name snowflake for everyone in my family. It was fun to watch them discover that their name was actually making up the snowflake. Do you see my name in the snowflake above?’ Here, I’ll help you out.
This was the original triangle of folded paper that I cut. The Y is a little wonky but you get the idea. 
This was one I made for Mike. His turned out a little boring. (Sorry, Mike!) The great thing about these snowflakes is that you can make a dozen with the same name and they will look totally different every time!
Want to make one yourself?’ I’ll make one with you and share some tips.
You start with a square of paper folded up into a triangle. That part is easy. ‘ I like to round out the end, but you don’t have to.
Now draw your message on the triangle. I find a pencil and good eraser to be very helpful. Some people think it’s cheating to draw out a snowflake pattern but you really have to when you make one with letters.
Some tips:
Place the bottom edge of your word on the side of the triangle that’s one big fold. It’ll make your snowflake much more stable when you’re cutting it out.
Your letters need to touch each other! This is super important! If your letters don’t touch, your snowflake will just be a bunch of loose pieces.
Similarly, your design needs to go from the bottom edge up to the top edge, at least in a couple of places. This is where fun filler shapes come in. Try adding stars, trees, hearts or whatever you think fits.
Cut along your lines, working from the outside towards the tip, and from top to bottom. The tip and the bottom edge give your triangle stability so do those areas last if you can.
If you have little areas inside of letters, like on my O, you can use an exacto knife, or just cut through the letter. That’s what I do.
Unfold carefully and see what you made!
Often I’m surprised by how it turns out. Like on this one, the holly leaf at the center doesn’t look like holly in the unfolded snowflake. It looks like a flower. Also, the straight line of the J gives the snowflake a square border. If I had curved the J, it would look a lot different.
You can also make then with the word starting at the center point, though my former coworker would say that it’s backwards. Here’s a backwards one. Edit: It’s my daughter’s name and I don’t usually share it on this here blog. It’s an uncommon name with an unusual spelling. I also was a little tired so I just did a triangle for the A and didn’t cut out the centers of the R or e. There you have it!
Now go make your own! Happy Christmas Eve !
Wow, I can see making some of these next year for sure! I’m bookmarking right now.
I can’t figure out the last one though… help!
I remember doing something like that only with making a picture from your name written on a folded sheet of paper. I love this idea! and I hope I remember it for next year.
Merry Belated Holidays!
Love those! This would be a perfect winter-vacation project to do with my little girl who’s just learning to read. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great tutorial on these – I’m filing this away for 2009 Christmas Craftiness.
wow, this is pretty cool! must remember for next year…
That is really cool! Wow!