I first came across the DIY several years ago.  The original DIY was to make a paper Umbrella.  But as I was making samples I glued it incorrectly and the ballerina was born.  Here is our DIY for the umbrella we made a while ago.

As briefly mentioned above, Ballerina came about accidentally.  As in most creative endeavors, the mistake ended up being a wonderful error.  Check out the video and DIY below …

 

Supplies: double sided origami paper (I used the 6″ x 6″ size), 20 gauge colored wire, round nosed pliers, flat nosed pliers, bail making pliers (optional, you can use something like a lip balm tube instead), glue (while I show regular glue above, I have been using glue tape as a preferred method for adhering in this craft lately) and 2″+ paper punch (I kinda go back and forth between 2.5″ and 3″ sizes for this craft).

First step is to use the punch to cut 10 circles.  Set aside 9 circles for the ballerina skirt.

Next decide if you are going to be creating a pattern e.g. maybe every other circle will be a different color.  Once that has been decided, it is important to know that the color you will see the most of is the inside color.  By this I mean, when you are fooling the circles, the first time, make sure that the preferred color is on the inside.  The example in the photo above shows that gray is the preferred color.

Fold semi circle in half to create a a right angle triangle shape with one curved edge.

Repeat the process for the second color.

I decided to have two reds separated by a yellow as my pattern.

Once all the circles are folded open the first triangle and spread a line of glue as in the photo above.  Please note, this is the direction you will always take when apply glue in this craft: start at the right angle and come straight down to the curved edge.  Refold to create the right angle triangle and gently press on the glue line to adhere and set aside.  Repeat for the remaining pieces.

Next, take one of the adhered triangles and place a line of glue as in the photo above.

Take the next triangle and line up the edges so that the folds are on the same side and the rest of the edges line up exactly.  Press the two pieces together.  Then add a line of glue to one side of the double triangles and adhere the 3rd triangle.  Continue to adhere the triangles together

All nine pieces adhered together and your skirt is done.  Set aside.

Cut a 16″ piece of wire.  Fold in half to create a u shape.

Place your lip balm container flush against the curved part of the u shape.  Make sure that the ends are equal and then cross the ends as shown above.

While holding both ends at the same time, twist the wires to create the design as seen above.  It reminds me a little of bard wire.

I made 9 twists, which I think is a decent size for the neck.

Then I measured out 2 inches from the last twist for one of the arms.

Create a u shape at the 2″ mark to create the first arm.

Repeat on the other side and wrap the ends over the bottom of the twists.

Once the arms are anchored, continue with the twisting of the torso and tummy section for the ballerina.  I always use the paper skirt to measure out how long this section should be.  Twist it 15 times or so and then place your skirt on to see if you need to add more twists.  Once you have reached the right number of twists measure out the legs in the same way you did with the arms but measuring each leg at 2.5 to 3 inches long.

Wrap the ends of the wire around the bottom of the twists to secure them.

Next apply glue going from the right angle to the curved edge as well as the area where all the folded edges meet, as shown above.  Place the skirt so that jt ends right above where the legs separate.  Hold in place until the glue sets.

All done.

What a pretty ballerina.

 

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