This DIY paper star lantern is inspired by Mexican Tin Star lanterns. Do you ever wish metal working is as easy as folding paper? Today, it is! We will be making a paper star lantern that looks like it’s made out of rusty metal!
Lit with LED fairy lights inside, it is perfect for a covered patio or as table decor! Free paper star template for you to download at the end.
IMPORTANT: only use good quality LED lights near paper. Follow basic safety practices and do not leave lights on unattended.
Materials and tools to make a paper star lantern:
( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Full disclosure here. )
- sturdy 110lb index card stock such as these will work beautifully, not too heavy to cut yet hold its shape nicely.
- micro LED Warm White String Lights are light weight and very bright, perfect for this lantern.
- to cut the designs, use a Silhouette Portrait / Cameo or an X-acto knife, you can also use a star hand punch to cut out the stars!
- clear Bead Cord or fishing line to hang the lanterns
- glue
- free templates which you can download at the end
Step 1: print and cut the paper star template
Print one each of page 1, 2, and 3, and nine of page 4. If you want a white paper star lantern, that’s all for the printing. If you want a rusty “metal” paper star, print the rust texture (included in the downloads ) onto the back side of page 4.
Cut along blue lines, and score along orange lines.
This paper star lantern is made with my favorite super versatile 8.5×11 110lb card stock , which I have used to make this birch forest shadow box
And some watercolor paintings too!
Step 2: Make the paper star tips.
Here’s a really helpful trick when gluing the paper star lantern: fold the piece along the score line in the middle, and press down the glue dotted tab. This is much easier than trying to glue while holding its 3D form!
Also glue the triangles cut from page 4 to all the triangle shapes on page 1-3. If you are making a white star, skip this.
Step 3: glue the paper star parts together
Make the polyhedron first, then glue on all but one of the paper star tips. See why in the next step–>
Step 4: leave opening in the paper star lantern to add LED lights.
The reason we leave one of the paper star lantern tips not glued is because we need a “doorway” to take lights in and out. So we only glue one side of the tab, like in photo below.
The opening is big enough for LED string lights or tea lights.
Step 5: put lights in your new paper star lantern!
To close the star, poke 2 small holes and thread a piece of clear fishing line or bead cord through. Tie a knot to close the star.
See how cool the shadows are? =)
This paper star lantern can sit on a table, or if you want to hang it, just tie some fishing line through the openings on one of the star tips.
Here are the free designs for you to download!
Unzip with Stuffit Expander. If you have trouble downloading, it might be a browser issue, just ask friends to download and email to you!
You may also like:
Cherry blossoms in moonlight: how to paint on black paper
Make magical Dandelion lanterns
Wish you lots of beautiful days and starry nights! =)
Meagan
August 6, 2015 at 6:50 amThis is so beautiful! You are very talented. I’d love to try it out myself. We are moving into a new house soon and I need some cute and fun decorations. I’ll have to put this one on my list and try it out when we move.
Carol Cassara
August 6, 2015 at 6:50 amThese were all over Europe last December and I coveted them. I wonder if I am crafty enough to make them…
Brynne@TheGatheredHome
August 6, 2015 at 8:12 amAnanda, this is INCREDIBLE! Seriously, so so so good! Fantastic job!
chadmar
November 29, 2016 at 2:09 pmyour right
Angie
August 6, 2015 at 8:17 amThat is adorable, and I had no idea it wasn’t metal until I read on. Great job!
Alison
August 6, 2015 at 8:27 amThat is amazing. You make it look so easy. So love this project
Kimberly
August 6, 2015 at 12:28 pmThis is so great! I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Heather Serra
August 6, 2015 at 4:30 pmI love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!
Diana
August 6, 2015 at 5:08 pmThis looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Tamara
August 7, 2015 at 11:27 pmI love the star lantern. I may have to see if I have the patience to make one.
Brooke Knipp
August 8, 2015 at 11:54 amThis is just the coolest diy I’ve seen in a long time! Love it! How have I never seen your beautiful blog before??
E.
September 10, 2015 at 4:30 pmAnother quicker tip for the last point closure on the DIY star: glue some magnets (small lightweight ones) to each flap , so that the point can be easily opened and closed when you need to change batteries or l.e.d. bulb, etc.
Also, those battery operated fairy light strands…I’ve seen those for $2 each on ebay with free shipping. It comes directly from China. I actually just ordered one 🙂
Stephanie
December 21, 2015 at 4:36 pmThank you. I have wanted a star template for several years, but had not found one until now.
Bakırköy Pedagog
February 18, 2016 at 7:25 amI love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!
e-fatura
May 5, 2016 at 4:15 amThese were all over Europe last December and I coveted them. I wonder if I am crafty enough to make them… 😀
jynne
July 22, 2016 at 8:24 ami can’t download the template, I’ve asked my friends to help but it doesn’t work. do i have to wait for it to be sent to me email or?
ananda
July 22, 2016 at 9:22 amyes there should be an email with the downloads, check junk folder! =)
Petra Bertling
August 22, 2016 at 11:53 amLovely Ideas! Thank You for sharing! <3
Petra Bertling
ramak kala kutusu
October 12, 2016 at 7:01 amI love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!…
Kris
November 9, 2016 at 12:23 pmThis is amazing!!! I LOVE these stars and have always wanted one! And to be able to MAKE one, and affordably! HOORAY! Two questions, though: 1.) How did you score the paper before folding? I know that heavy card stock doesn’t fold “cleanly.” 2.) Glue that works best for the paper? THANK YOU!
ananda
November 10, 2016 at 9:20 pmhi kris, you can score the paper using a ruler and a craft knife, just don’t cut through! elmer’s or any craft glue will work! =)
Chelly
December 16, 2016 at 4:53 pmWhat a gorgeous project! Unfortunately I am unable to attempt it as the download link doesn’t work on either firefox or chrome. Is there something I need to do beforehand or is the project no longer available?
ananda
December 16, 2016 at 7:39 pmhi chelly, did you click on the link in the email we sent? and could you give more details on what happened? it is being downloaded by others as of today.
Cindy
December 20, 2016 at 6:44 amBeautiful star! I would love to use this pattern but the link won’t open. Is there another way I can get the pattern?
ananda
December 20, 2016 at 8:06 amhi cindy, are you referring to the links in the download emails automatically sent to you?
Kelly
January 11, 2017 at 2:27 pmHi,
I’ve just discovered your site and love your downloads – but I can’t access them! Every time I click on the link it just reloads the page. It’s happened for two calendars and this lantern, in both Firefox and Chrome.
Would really love to get them!
Kelly.
ananda
January 16, 2017 at 1:58 pmhi kelly, please let me know if you did not get our download in your inbox or junk folder! =)
Kelly
January 17, 2017 at 10:57 pmHi Ananda,
It’s working now. The pop-up wasn’t appearing for me last week. Thankyou!
Kelly.
Heidi Smith
May 4, 2017 at 6:36 amwould love to make this, thank you for sharing but I am unable to get to the download. Nothing in email, and the link just sits there on a blank page.
Thanks
ananda
May 5, 2017 at 8:15 amhi heidi, maybe try email the post to a friend? it is working as i checked it yesterday. i am also creating a subscriber page this month with all the downloads. you will be able to get a password to the page in a few weeks! 🙂
Nicole
October 17, 2017 at 6:03 amI found it in my spam folder! Thanks!
Evan
January 4, 2018 at 8:08 amHello, I wanted to make this for my wife, but after signing up I hav not been able to find download anywhere in my email. Also contact form isn’t working either.
ananda
January 4, 2018 at 9:08 amis it in promotions or spam folder?
if not, here you go! http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/
MICHELLE KELLEY
March 9, 2018 at 8:17 amI have a cameo and would like to cut on that, however, how would I convert the files to a cutting file for the machine?
ananda
March 9, 2018 at 3:53 pmhi! i think most machines have a trace pdf function which will create the cut lines. =)
jody
April 6, 2018 at 3:31 pmI do not see the link to download the pattern and wonder if you might send it again?
Thank you. I have done the candles and love them and the lantern is absolutely beautiful
ananda
April 7, 2018 at 6:59 amhi jody! link to all the downloads are in each weekly newsletter at the bottom. one just went out thursday! 🙂
SHEAN
June 16, 2018 at 12:43 amThanks for sharing these, Looks like a lot of great ideas…I’ll have to come back & look more closely very soon!:)
Kenneth Gladman
November 27, 2018 at 6:43 pmWith the sun going down so early this time of year, I really want to get more lanterns. This one is really interesting in the shape and color. The star pattern would be fun to use outdoors on a patio.
Tami
December 11, 2018 at 8:06 pmAhhhh’some articles, projects and crafts, Ananda! <3 Unfortunately, I still have not received my confirmation email…and I've checked my spam folder. I also searched "rainbow", to no avail. I was hoping to make one of these beautiful star lanterns for Christmas, but am unable to get the template download. Blessed day, Ananda! <3
ananda
December 13, 2018 at 10:14 pmthank you tami! =) i sent you the download page link. merry christmas!!
Cecilia luce
May 25, 2019 at 11:35 amHi, I’m wondering if this can be converted to a svg file so that I can cut it with my cricut maker? Thank you!
ananda
May 26, 2019 at 7:43 pmhi cecilia, if you google “pdf to svg” there are quite a few free online converters. i will make sure all newer posts include svg for cricut in future! 🙂