Thursday, January 1, 2015

DIY Paper Fans



Without a doubt, the most asked questions for Funky Junk in 2014 were about the paper fans I used in so many of my furniture staging photos.  Every time I posted pictures of furniture, I would get comments and messages about where I got the fans and how I hang them on the wall.  I realize there are tutorials on how to make these all over blog land, but I thought I would go ahead and share the details for mine here.


Paper fans are such an inexpensive way to decorate blank spaces and so easy to change out.  So lets start with the details for the paper.  I find that the lightweight paper is much easier to work with than the thicker card stock.  I also like to just buy a big paper ack since they are already coordinated with colors and patterns.  

This is the pack I got at Michaels. 
Recollections - The Sweetest Thing

 To make a large fan, start with 3 sheets of matching 12x12 paper.  
Take one sheet and fold one side down a little less than a inch.


Continue to accordion fold the paper until you get to the end and it looks like this.


Pinch the folded paper in the center and fold it in half.



Put a piece of double sided tape or hot glue where the 2 folds meet.  I like to use hot glue and clots pins to hold it in place while the glue cools.


Repeat the sakes steps with the other 2 pieces of paper and you will have 3 wedges.


Use glue or tape to secure the wedges where they meet each other and you have now made a paper fan!


To make different size fans, just cut your 12 x12 paper a little shorter.


The small fans only need 2 wedges instead of 3. 


 Hot glue some of the smaller ones on top of the larger ones for a layered look.


I like to attach my fans to the wall with this removable poster putty.  I move mine around alot and this makes it super simple without damaging my walls.




I wanted to do a little giveaway so you can make a set of your own.  I just fell in love with this paper pack, the colors and designs are so fun.  Just leave a comment here on the blog post letting me know what kind of projects you would like to see from Funky Junk in 2015 to be entered to win this fun paper pack.  This will ship to the lucky winner anywhere in the US.  Giveaway closed January 5th.