DIY: Paper Marple Seeds With Golden Accents

FULL TUTORIAL BELOW:

Inspiration from Nature

I’ve always been fascinated by the shape of maple seeds – those delicate, wing-like forms that spin gracefully through the air like tiny helicopters. Their simplicity holds a certain magic, and I thought they would be the perfect motif for creating unique decorations that reflect my love for nature and minimalism.

I don’t usually engage in crafting traditional holiday decorations – I prefer subtle accents that can be used throughout the year. However, this time, I wanted to create something special that would bring warmth and personality to my home. Maple seeds became the ideal starting point for this project.

Minimalist Elegance with Gold Accents

When designing these decorations, I wanted to retain their natural essence while giving them a more elegant and refined look. That’s why I chose a color palette inspired by nature: muted shades of blue and green. These hues evoke a sense of winter calm and harmony.

To add a festive sparkle, I incorporated gold accents. I used gold paint to highlight the texture of the papier-mâché and a black pen to outline subtle details and contours. This combination of simplicity and sophistication transformed the maple seeds into something truly special – delicate yet elegant.

Versatile Decorations

What I love most about this project is its versatility. Decorative maple seeds can be used in so many ways. For me, they became the centerpiece of two different decorations.

The first is a wreath – delicate and natural, perfect for hanging on a door or wall. A wreath like this subtly enhances the holiday atmosphere, especially in a minimalist home.

The second idea was to create a garland with lights. By combining the papier-mâché maple seeds with tiny LED lights, I made a light and ethereal decoration that brings a soft glow and warmth to any space. The garland can be hung on a Christmas tree, above a fireplace, or around a window frame – wherever you need a gentle accent.

Crafting with Heart

Creating these decorations was more than just another DIY project for me. I love how simple materials – like papier pulp – can be transformed into something beautiful and unique.

In a world filled with mass-produced decorations, this project offers the opportunity to make something truly personal that combines aesthetic appeal with sentimental value. These decorative maple seeds, reimagined and brought to life, have become an exceptional element of décor that fits perfectly into any home.

In the following sections, I’ll show you step by step how to create these ornaments. I hope this project inspires you to experiment with paper, paint, and small details to add a personal touch to your own creations.

What You Will Need:

1. Papier-mâché pulp – I’ve included a link below on how to make it.

2. A knife

3. Tracing paper or baking paper for transferring the pattern

4. A sheet of paper

5. A pencil

6. Scissors

7. A rolling pin for flattening the papier pulp

8. Cellophane wrap

9. Paints

10. A paintbrush

11. A container with water for the paints

12. A black fine liner pen

13. Glue

14. Wire or string – depending on how you plan to use the ornaments. For example, if you want to use them as tree ornaments, string is a good choice; for a garland, I recommend wire.

15. Something to make a hole in the papier pulp – for example, a nail or a skewer.

Step 1: Preparing the Paper Pulp Sheet

To begin, we need to prepare the paper pulp by rolling it out into a thin sheet. This will serve as the base material from which we will cut out our maple seed shapes. Carefully use a rolling pin to create an even surface, then set the sheet aside to dry completely before moving on to the next steps.

Step 2: Creating a Maple Seed Template

In the next step, we need to prepare a drawing with various shapes of maple seeds, which we will later transfer onto the paper pulp. To ensure accuracy, I browsed through photos online to replicate the natural shapes of maple seeds as closely as possible.

Step 3: Transferring the Maple Seed Shapes

The next step is to trace the maple seed shapes onto tracing paper or baking paper. This will create flexible templates that can be used to cut out the shapes from the paper pulp.

Step 4: Transferring the Template onto the Paper Pulp Sheet

The next step is to trace the templates onto the paper pulp sheet. I cut out around 10 shapes for this project. It’s important to plan ahead: if you’re creating a long garland interwoven with various decorations, including these maple seeds, consider how many you’ll need to complete your design.

Step 5: Cutting Out the Maple Seed Shapes

Next, carefully cut out the traced maple seed shapes from the paper pulp sheet. Ensure clean edges to maintain the natural look of the seeds.

Step 6: Shaping the Maple Seeds

Next, we need to give the maple seeds a three-dimensional shape. The bottom of the seeds is naturally rounded, so we use additional paper pulp to create this form. Start by shaping one side and setting it aside to dry. Once the first side is completely dry, repeat the process for the other side. I recommend working on each side separately to ensure the shape is neat and well-defined.

Step 7: Adding Color to the Maple Seeds

In this step, we add color to the maple seeds. As mentioned earlier, I decided to use shades of blue and green. I chose watercolor paints because they blend beautifully with the texture of paper pulp, creating a soft and natural finish.

Step 8: Adding Gold Accents

In this step, I add delicate gold accents to the maple seeds to enhance their texture and give them a festive, elegant touch. Using a fine paintbrush, I gently apply gold paint in small, irregular patches to mimic the natural imperfections found in real seeds.

Step 9: Adding Black Accents

In this step, I add black accents to highlight the golden details. Using a fine black pen, I carefully outline the gold areas, creating a contrast that emphasizes the intricate design and adds depth to the maple seeds. This step helps refine the overall aesthetic and brings out the textures.

Step 10: Creating a Small Hole in the Seed

Using a thin nail or a tool with a sharp, thin point, carefully make a small, deep hole in the base of the seed. This step is essential for attaching your seeds to a wire, string, or other decorative elements later in the process.

Step 11: Attaching Wire or String

In this step, attach a wire or string to the hole you created in the seed. Use a two-component adhesive for a secure hold. This ensures that the seed stays firmly attached to the wire or string, whether you’re creating a garland, wreath, or standalone decoration.