How to Make a 3D Paper Heart

Heather is happiest when taking a beautiful photo, creating something in her kitchen, or elbows-deep in a DIY project.

How to Make a Paper Heart

Easy crafts don't get much easier than this! This paper heart is simple to craft and can be made out of most types of paper. Have fun experimenting with pages from old dictionaries, comic books or even sheet music. It's a great way to use up leftover pieces of scrapbook paper that you've got lying around. Once you've got the hang of how to make this heart craft, try making smaller or larger versions.

Materials

• Paper
• Paper cutter (or ruler, pencil and scissors)
• Stapler
• String
• Glue dots (or other glue)
• Rivet and rivet tool (optional)
• Clothespin or paperclips

Step One: Cut Your Paper

Cut your paper into the following strips:

• Two strips measuring 12" x 1" (a and b, same color)
• One strip also measuring 12" x 1" but different color than first two (c)
• Two strips measuring 9" x 1" (d and e, same pattern as each other but different from other strips)

Tip: Since the insides and outsides of each heart are visible, this craft lends itself nicely to double-sided papers. If your papers are all white on the backs, consider alternating a heart so the insides (or outsides) aren't all white. This will give your finished piece more depth and contrast.

Step Two: Fold Strip "C"

Fold strip "c" in half, creating a crisp crease.

Step Three: Continue Shaping the Heart

Hold folded strip "c" in one hand with the fold at the bottom. The bottom fold is going to be the bottom of the innermost heart. Place strips "d" and "e" on each side (outside) of strip "c," lining up the bottoms evenly to prepare for stapling. Strips "d" and "e" are each one half of your middle heart, so make sure your patterns are facing the way you would like. Next, line up strips "a" and "b" and staple all strips together at the bottom.

Tip: If you're using a variety of strips that don't match each other, don't worry which direction patterns are facing. This is only if you want each individual heart to have distinct coloring on the inside that differs from the outside.

Step Four: Gather Ends and Staple

Using both end pieces of strip "c," gather to form heart and staple. Repeat this process to form the remaining two hearts.

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Tip: Using two staples works better than just one. Your hearts will be stronger and less wobbly. See examples above.

Step Five: Glue Your Heart

Apply glue dots (or a little hot glue) to each of the bottom edges where the heart arches are stapled together. The smallest, most inner heart will be tucked downward and glued into itself.

The middle heart will be glued down between the arches of the smallest heart. The largest, outermost heart will be tucked and glued down between the arches of the middle heart. Use clothespins or paperclips to hold these sections together until the glue dries.

Step Six: Attach the String

If you'd like to hang your heart, cut a strip that measures 3" x 1". Use a hole punch to create a hole at the top. Reinforce hole using rivet and rivet tool. Apply glue dots to each side of the bottom of the strip. Tuck down and glue in between the arches of the largest, outermost heart. Secure with clothespin or paperclip until glue is strong. Attach string and hang.

Crafting 3D Hearts Is so Much Fun

I never throw away scraps of pretty scrapbook papers, so I've always got a nice stash to choose from. I like to mix colors and patterns to really make the pieces of the heart pop.

These hearts look so precious hanging almost anywhere. I've got a couple hanging on my china cabinet because the color really pops against the ivory paint. Make these hearts as festive decorations for Valentine's day using traditional colors like pink, red and white. Use Christmas-colored or themed scrapbook papers to create smaller versions for adorable heart ornaments, perfect for trimming the tree.

© 2013 Heather

Comments

ezzly on January 13, 2015:

That's really lovely !

Korneliya Yonkova from Cork, Ireland on January 09, 2015:

Beautiful heart :) Thanks a lot about the tips, really useful article :)

thefedorows from the Midwest on May 16, 2014:

So cute and easy! Pinning to remember for Valentine's Day!

Heather (author) from Arizona on January 24, 2014:

@Celiegirl-- Thanks for stopping by. I'm delighted that you used this tutorial to make your own hearts. If you posted them anywhere online, I'd love to see them. Thanks again :)

Celiegirl on December 05, 2013:

Thanks, so cool, went ahead and made some immediately.

Heather (author) from Arizona on September 12, 2013:

@epbooks-- Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you stopped by :)

@idigwebsites-- Thanks for reading and commenting :)

@Carl8033-- I hope you were able to try these with your neice! Thanks for stopping by and commenting :) Let me know it came out :)

@btrbell-- Thanks neighbor! I'm glad you stopped by and commented :)

@peachpurple-- Thanks for the kind words. I glad you stopped by :)

@moonlake-- Thanks! I'm glad you stopped by. Thanks for the kind words and shares :)

Elizabeth Parker from Las Vegas, NV on July 01, 2013:

How beautiful! Easy to follow instructions. I love it. Voted up!

idigwebsites from United States on July 01, 2013:

Clever and beautiful idea for a craft! And seems so simple to make too. Up and useful. :)

Carl Junior on June 30, 2013:

Wow, such a great hub and so easy to understand. I will try this one out with my niece over the weekend. Thanks for sharing

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on June 30, 2013:

What a cute and clever idea!Thank you for the thorough instructions! up++

peachy from Home Sweet Home on June 30, 2013:

your 3d heart paper hub is fantastic. I love the way you took the photos, add in the wordings and curve corners. All well done. Easy to follow instructions and the photos were very helpful. Voted up

moonlake from America on June 29, 2013:

How pretty and what good instructions. Loved your hub voted up and shared.