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.
* Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here .
Materials and tools to make a paper star lantern:
- 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.
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! =)
Carrie
Where do you put the battery for the lights?
Hi Carrie! The battery case is quite small. Depending on if you want to hang the lantern or put it on a table, there are many ways to keep it outside near the lantern but out of view. If you want more specific ideas, let us know! 🙂
Can this be cut out with a Cricut? Thanks!
hi Aley! i made this before Cricut came out with all the awesome machines! i do think you can import the pdf into Cricut and adjust it! 🙂
I am unable to copy the pattern to the lighted star pattern. I have tried numerous times. I would love to have this pattern. Please let me know how to get it.
hi! did you get the subscriber welcome email or weekly newsletter? the link to all downloads is in there! 🙂
I love your patterns and I want to do the lantern
I did not find out how to download paper lanter star pattern. Would you please send me the pattern? I love these stars.
hi Louanna, did you get our newsletter or welcome email? the red button takes you to all downloads! 🙂
I cannot download the paper star lantern pattern. I would love to create this star. Could you please tell me how to download it. I cannot find the download pattern.
hi jean, did you get our welcome email or any newsletters? (check spam folder)
Hi…I subscribed to your newsletter and received your Welcome email. I have tried to access the download for the Paper Star Lantern and even though it says the template download is at the end, there is no link to download the actual Star Lantern…the only link is for the library again, which I had just accessed. Where is the download for the template???
hi Peggy! when you click the button to get to the library page, follow instructions at top of page and scroll to find the star lantern a few rows down! 🙂
I need to download the paper star lantern, but how? Can you send a link to my email? Thank you👍Debi
A red button at the bottom of each newsletter takes you to all downloads 🙂
So excited to give this a try! What would be the best glue to use?
hi! any craft glue like elmers will work! 🙂
Paper Star Lantern – I have tried to subscribe to your newsletter but I never get an acknowledgement email back.
hi mary! did you check promotions folder in gmail?
It is not in my promotions folder. Just checked.
thank you for checking! you are on our list. we have sent you a link. enjoy!
I have looked for the download on the paper star lantern and I can not find it, can someone help me with that? I have pushed every link for it and the directions do not come up, Please help! 🙂
Thank you
Karen
hi karen! did you get to the download library page from our newsletter or welcome email? it is working and the 5-page template opens when you click download! 🙂
Hallo
Kann ich die Datei im cricut Design Space öffnen und mit dem cricut schneiden?
hi Sarah! i think Cricut can convert pdf to svg, if not, there are free online tool that does it: https://convertio.co/pdf-svg/ 🙂
Hallo ich habe versucht von PDF in svg umzuwandeln aber er öffnet es mir nicht im Cricut. Kannst du sie vielleicht im svg Format hochladen das man sie downloaden kann
This seems like a scam of some sort. The download link doesn’t work and we are just directed to share with more people. I would like to make this star for my wedding but I don’t think there’s a real way to get that “free” template.
hi mikey, there are hundred of downloads happening here daily. we don’t have scam here. when our subscribers sign up, the link to all our downloads library is emailed to them.
Hallo kann ich die sternlaterne auch mit dem cricut schneiden, wenn ja wie mache ich das
This star paper lantern looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I have signed up for your downloads. I found the paper star lantern. However, I could not find the link to download the pattern. I even changed web browsers tried no luck. I love your creations and I would love to try to make them.
hi victoria! the star lantern download is right above the cylinder paper lantern downloads toward the bottom of the page! let us know if you still have trouble finding it! 🙂
actually right above the cylinder paper lanterns is the directions for just that, It is not for the star
hi karen! did you get to the download library page from our newsletter or welcome email? it is working and the 5-page templates opens when you click download! 🙂
I can’t find the link to the star in my email. Would someone please send the pattern to me.
please check your junk mail! and here- enjoy! https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/
Hi, I’m wondering if this can be converted to a svg file so that I can cut it with my cricut maker? Thank you!
hi 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! 🙂
did you get it to work with the cricut maker? i cant upload the converted file
Ahhhh’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
thank you tami! =) i sent you the download page link. merry christmas!!
I can’t find it either. I would love one of these stars
please check your junk mail! and here- enjoy! https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/
With 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.
Thanks for sharing these, Looks like a lot of great ideas…I’ll have to come back & look more closely very soon!:)
I 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
hi jody! link to all the downloads are in each weekly newsletter at the bottom. one just went out thursday! 🙂
I have a cameo and would like to cut on that, however, how would I convert the files to a cutting file for the machine?
hi! i think most machines have a trace pdf function which will create the cut lines. =)
Hello, 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.
is it in promotions or spam folder?
if not, here you go! http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/
I found it in my spam folder! Thanks!
would 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
hi 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! 🙂
Hi,
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.
hi kelly, please let me know if you did not get our download in your inbox or junk folder! =)
Hi Ananda,
It’s working now. The pop-up wasn’t appearing for me last week. Thankyou!
Kelly.
Beautiful star! I would love to use this pattern but the link won’t open. Is there another way I can get the pattern?
hi cindy, are you referring to the links in the download emails automatically sent to you?
What 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?
hi 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.
This 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!
hi 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! =)
I love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!…
Lovely Ideas! Thank You for sharing! <3
Petra Bertling
i 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?
yes there should be an email with the downloads, check junk folder! =)
These were all over Europe last December and I coveted them. I wonder if I am crafty enough to make them… 😀
I love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!
Thank you. I have wanted a star template for several years, but had not found one until now.
Another 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 🙂
This is just the coolest diy I’ve seen in a long time! Love it! How have I never seen your beautiful blog before??
I love the star lantern. I may have to see if I have the patience to make one.
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
I love the ambient light from paper stars. This is a great design and your instructions are stellar. I will have to try this!
This is so great! I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!!
That is amazing. You make it look so easy. So love this project
That is adorable, and I had no idea it wasn’t metal until I read on. Great job!
Ananda, this is INCREDIBLE! Seriously, so so so good! Fantastic job!
your right
These were all over Europe last December and I coveted them. I wonder if I am crafty enough to make them…
This 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.