Pajaki Paper Chandelier

Pajaki Paper Chandelier Project

Time: 2-3 Class Periods
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:

Flat Reed

Colored Hemp or String

Non-Bleeding Tissue Paper in assorted colors

Artstraws Paper Tubes

Needle

Pony Beads in assorted colors

Scissors/Craft Knife

Ruler

Glue

Stapler

Tempera Paint

Brushes

Pencil or Marker

Tape

View Project Video

Steps

Step 1
Cut your choice of colored tissue paper into 2” squares. In our example, we used 66 squares to make 20 flowers; 2 flowers with 6 layers and 18 flowers with 3 layers.
Step 2
Place 3 squares on top of each other and fold in half.
Step 3
Fold the squares in half again and turn 45° so that you have a "diamond" shape. Make sure the folded edge is at the bottom, not the top.
Step 4
Fold the diamond in half. Create a rounded shape by trimming off the open end at the top. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to make the rest of the flowers, leaving each flower folded together – they will be unfolded and strung later.
Step 5
Cut a 20" length of 1/2" wide flat reed.
Step 6
Use the reed to form a 6" hoop, overlapping the edges by 1". Glue the overlapping edges together, then staple to add strength.
Step 7
Paint the reed with tempera paint and let dry. Use a ruler to divide the hoop into 6 sections, drawing lines on the hoop with a pencil or marker.
Step 8
Select 6 Artstraws and cut each into 5 pieces, approximately 3" long.
Step 9
Cut 3 lengths of colored hemp, each should measure 72” long. Fold the lengths in half. Approximately 3" from the folded ends, tie the lengths together with a knot, creating a loop for hanging. You should now have 6 strings hanging down from the loop.
Step 10
Thread all 6 strings on to a weaving needle. Use the needle to poke a hole in the center of a 6-layer flower and thread the flower. Shape and crumple the flower on the needle for texture before threading it all the way to the top loop. Add a pony bead spacer. Then separate the 6 strands.
Step 11
On one strand of hemp, thread a straw piece, followed by a 3-layer flower and a pony bead. Add a second straw piece, 3-layer flower, and pony bead. Thread the third straw piece, then add 3 pony beads.
Step 12
Tie the hemp strand to the hoop on one of the 6 marks. Repeat steps 11 and 12 until all 6 strands are tied to the hoop, with the extra hemp hanging down below the hoop.
Step 13
On the other side of the hoop, take one strand of hemp and thread 3 pony beads. Follow with a straw piece, a flower, a pony bead and another straw piece. Repeat step 13 until all 6 strands are complete. You may want to turn the Pajaki upside down for this step, as our picture shows. Otherwise, use a piece of tape to hold all the pieces in place while you string the other strands.
Step 14
Thread all 6 strands through the needle, then thread the second 6-layer flower. Add 3 more pony beads and tie all 6 strands into a knot. Trim any excess hemp to finish.

Pajaki Paper Chandelier Project

Steps

Products Used