Paper Fan Angel Craft

Create beautiful Paper Fan Angels with just a piece of paper, a small bead, and some twine. It only takes minutes to make a heavenly host for your tree!

I remember the first time I made Paper Fan Angels. I was in the third grade and my teacher, Miss Hayes, was this crazy craft person. She loved doing crafts… be they macaroni mosaics or cameo portraits. I remember we made these angels using construction paper, and for the heads we used wooden spools from thread. Ah, I miss wooden spools… so many uses. Anyway, thus began my love affair with fan crafts. I use to make angels, flowers, butterflies, and yes, even fans.

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had making these today. Not only did it remind me of being a little girl and Miss Hayes (she looked just like Julie Andrews in Sound of Music… I adored her!) but it was also a nice break from all the felt and stitching I’ve been doing the past few weeks. You can make each one in just minutes, too. I like mine simple, but you can add faces, hair and halos if you like.

Hope this brings you a few memories. If not, take a few minutes, make some, and create some new memories!

Materials Needed for Paper Fan Angel

paper
beads
twine
glue

Note: This craft is basically a “use what you have on hand craft”. You can use any paper, although for these small angels it is best to use a thin paper, not construction paper or card stock. You can use magazine and old book pages. Try copies of sheet music or used wrapping paper. Scrapbook paper works well, too. You can even use doilies which will give a slightly different shape. Another great source for pretty paper is the internet. Type in the words “free printable scrapbook paper” in your search engine and you will find many resources that allow you to copy their pretty papers for free. I got my assortment of checked papers from Activity Village. You can print your own paper for free HERE.

paper fan angels - paper 545wm

Also, instead of beads you can create yarn ball heads or use glass beads for the heads. Instead of twine you can use yarn or clear fishing line if you want your hangers to be invisible(ish). If you would like you can add a face, hair and even a halo. Let your imagination run wild.

You can also make these any size. I will share what I did to make my ornaments but there isn’t a “perfect” size. Again, use materials you have and adapt!

Directions for Paper Fan Angel

To create my 3 1/2″ inch Paper Fan Angels, cut 2 squares of paper. Make the first 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and the second 3″ x 3″. This means you can get 2 angels out of a standard letter sized piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper. Note: You will notice that when I copied my paper the design did not go all the way to the edge. I only got 1 angel out of each piece.

Begin by placing the large square in front of you.

Fold one edge of the paper toward the back of the paper. This fold should be about 3/8″.

Going back and forth fan style, crease the paper all the way across to the other edge.

When you are done folding the paper, you want the printed size of the paper visible on either side of your fan. If you paper doesn’t fold evenly so you have 2 printed sides showing, simply cut off the extra paper. Be careful not to cut the other folds in your fan.

Do the same for the small square. Now fold the 2 squares in half making sure the edges are even. Note: if they are not exactly even after you fold the can in half, simply snip the longer side to make it match.

Place the smaller fan on top of the larger fan. Make sure the print side of the fans is showing.

Cut a piece of twine 12″. Tightly tie the 2 fan sections together. Use a square knot. (Right over left, left over right.)

paper fan angels - assemble3 545wm

On the inside of the large fan (the dress), run the glue stick down one side of the fold and then close the “dress”, squeezing the 2 sides together. This will hold the dress together down the middle.