little guiding stars

Since the new year has started I’ve been trying to think of ways to be more kind to my self. Especially when that nasty gremlins try to creep in and stump me.  I remembered this origami star video on You Tube and had to get them involved in my plan.

I thought it would be fun to make a whole bunch with kind words and “you are….” phrases inside. I made 60 of them, enough to last me the whole year if I open one a week, plus a few extra just in case.

I used 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper and cut 1/2 x 12″ strips, then followed the video HERE*.  I put them all in a little jar and prettied it up.  They are so cute and sweet, like little treats. A jar of candy, but without the sugar!

*UPDATE! Since making these stars, more origami videos have been made (or I’ve found more that I didn’t see before)! Yay!!!  Here they are for your viewing pleasure:
How to fold an origami Star
How to make Lucky Stars
How to make Origami stars

*Update 4/29/15  Thank you so much for checking out this post!  It was written almost 4 years ago and I am, absolutely in no way,  able to make origami stars for sale. Please do not ask, because I won’t do it—for any price. Thank you!!

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104 Responses to little guiding stars

  1. kristin says:

    wonderful regina…almost like a little fortune cookie, but bette. way to be kind to yourself!!

  2. Tez says:

    wonderful idea! I am going to make a bunch of these to hand out to my students! What a great way to be positive.

  3. kt says:

    great idea and the jar is so happy and bright too

  4. sperlygirl says:

    oh my, i a so loving this! i am going to try myself (and maybe even in my classroom) – my students would love it. thank you.

  5. Rainy says:

    I am charmed and delighted by this. I used to make those little stars all the time. I don’t know why I ever stopped. This post brought a happy smile to my face.

  6. Cori Berg says:

    I adore these little sparkles!

  7. Alexis says:

    When my sister was in college she and her roommates made dozens and dozens of these little stars and hung them from the ceiling in their living room. It was very cool.

    I love your jar – it is like a little jar of candy, eye candy.

  8. heather says:

    I love the idea and think I might have to do that for a friends’ birthday.

  9. Kristal says:

    OMG that is the cutest idea ever! It’s so sweet looking. 🙂 I may just have to make one for myself! he he Where did you get the jar? It’s just perfect!

  10. Tammy McGee says:

    you are beautiful and good and kind! Keep up being loving to yourself. You deserve it! Monday is almost here!! yipee for learning something new (from misty! ;O)) LOVE these little stars. They are so sweet!!

  11. olivia says:

    I loved this idea. I invite to my blogs of cooking, hand made, picture y decoration. Kiss of OLI

    http://entrebarrancos.blogspot.com

  12. Michelle says:

    I just love this, I can’t wait to do it. For myself and maybe my kids, too. Thanks!

  13. Nichola says:

    This is a great idea. A friend made some of these stars for our girls a while back. I like the messages inside.

  14. Sallyt says:

    Oh. {clap . clap . clap} I adore this whole idea. I’m gonna make some, too.

  15. Lucille says:

    Oh my God, I love this idea!!! My office/dept has been in a funk for the last six months, the temp so negative….I have been thinking about doing something to just, I don’t know, send out positive vibes, give a smile, etc….THIS idea of yours would be PERFECT!!! Now I just have to see if I can get those dang stars made—-I saw something like them (without the sayings inside) on Family Fun a few years back but never could do it. I’m determined to try again!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

    P.S. I ordered two of your prints over the holidays. LOVE THEM. Haven’t framed them yet but I love them love them love them.

    Happy New Year to you!!!

  16. I love this idea! Have a great weekend!

  17. Becky says:

    I did this too! I made them in 2008, right before I left for college, and they’ve kept me going all the way through the last three years of school.

  18. Beverly says:

    What a sweet and clever idea. I love the colors of the paper!

  19. Jewell says:

    Having a positive saying to read each week inside of beautiful paper is very creative!

  20. Mili says:

    These are adorable. I’m going to have a jar by my front door!

  21. Carmel says:

    I make these all the time. The fortune cookie idea would make really nice favors for my wedding.
    Thanks! 😀

  22. This is the CUTEST idea! Adore this!

  23. JanniCake says:

    Just wanted to thank you for the lovely idea. You inspired me to make two such jars (with a slight modification) that I gave as gifts to the two most important people in my life.

    You can check it out here if interested: http://jannicake.mayajaala.com/2011/03/star-jars-or-encouragement-in-a-jar/

    (I have of course credited you and linked to your blog :).)

  24. Andie says:

    I Stumbled on your entry and it’s one of my favorites. I usually create lunchbox notes for my daughter in Word/PDF and this is a unique new way to send her a special note each day. These are addictive to make!

    I am the room parent for my daughter’s 5th grade class and I plan to use this idea for the kids to write a message to their teacher as an end of year gift (I like to suggest inexpensive, but heart-felt gift ideas as group class gifts). So thank you!

    I thought another cool use would be to write positive messages or inspirational quotes and leave behind in public places for someone to find and open. 🙂

  25. CraftyMummy says:

    Such a lovely idea! My husband is having his 40th birthday soon so I’m thinking 40 stars for him with special messages…

  26. Laurel says:

    This is SO MUCH FUN! I’d love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight: http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight

  27. tgrbaby says:

    Ohhhh, I just found christmas gifts for next year! Holy cow! and my kids’ birthdays too..everyone’s getting stars woohoo! =)

  28. teres says:

    in the chinese culture, they gift these. they put 365 of the stars in a jar and give them to someone they love so that the person has good luck all year round. i’ve been making these since i met my husband (who is a malaysian born chinese) 16 years ago. enjoy!

  29. Koree says:

    this is such a wonderful idea im doing this for my husband in afghanistan, to remind him that he is loved and special <3 🙂 thank you sooo much!

  30. Jennifer says:

    That’s really cute! My best friends and I do something similar. Instead of opening the stars, we write our secrets on the paper, fold it up, and put it in a huge jar, never to be opened. It’s our “star jar” of secrets. 🙂

  31. Ina Lewin says:

    I LOVE this idea!
    I want to make them to leave in different places. I think that low self esteem and self worth are crippling wonderful people in our nation. And I want to help, and this is a great way! Im going to leave them with a note on the outside that says “Open Me”
    BUT my problem is that when I clicked on the links, it just took me to the you tube home page. I am sure I could find a video that would work, but I want to make sure I make the right kind of start. So If you could maybe just copy and paste the link? that would be great 😀 thank you so very much!

  32. oMordah says:

    I love this idea! What a great way to help chase away the winter blahs! I’m going to give it a try. Thanks!
    oMordah
    Please visit my Etsy shop, oMordah©
    for awesome gifts and accessories.
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/omordah

  33. Alima says:

    I wanted to make this, but i feel really upset because i cant watch videos on my computer 🙁 is there some way you could put it a toutorial of it in writing (if you have the time to)if you could i would be VERY VERY VERY happy!! 🙂 i really love the things you make. You are very creative!

  34. Jennifer says:

    I absolutely adore this idea! 🙂

  35. Abigail says:

    This is just a great idea to do it is so cool

  36. kristin says:

    I had to make about a bazillion of these stars for the tops of tables at a wedding once. I made them out of interestingly coloured and patterned pages cut from magazines. Needless to say, I haven’t made a single star since!

  37. Anonymous says:

    excellent!!

  38. Crafteresa says:

    what a fabulous idea, and they look good too, gonna have a go at this
    by the way YOU ARE VERY CREATIVE AND GIFTED!

  39. Another Crafty Librarian says:

    Love, love, love! My library will soon have a jar of these sitting on the counter for all to enjoy!

  40. Carmen Lee says:

    I need to say thank you for this post! This was a great idea, and I used the idea to make a birthday present for a friend. He LOVED it! I’m working on some for my girls for Easter basket stuffers, too! Brilliant!!!

  41. Chelsea says:

    This is a fantastic idea! I borrowed it to make adorable decorations for the living room of my first apartment that I just moved into. Everyone just adores them. Thanks so much for the wonderful idea!! (=

  42. How fabulous! These would be great when the dark clouds try to roll in.

  43. Very cute idea, Love it!!

  44. B says:

    This is awesome! I know how to make the little stars but the message inside idea is brilliant!

  45. awtter says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your gift! I am making these now and plan to present it at a bridal shower next month . . . lots of wishes and affirmations for the couple and their new journey together!

    Bright Bessings to you and to those close to your heart!

  46. Gayle says:

    Thanks so much for this idea. I’m looking for a way to cheer up my Secret Pal at church. This is perfect.

  47. erica says:

    what a great idea, I’m definatly gonna use this as a goodbye gift!

    thankyou!

  48. Chuck Norris says:

    Great idea but man it must of taken forever to make all those little stars!

  49. Hannah says:

    i though i would give these a go, but the video is very hard to follow. what is that you are doing at the beginning? it was such a disapointment that i couldn’t make them!

    • Anonymous says:

      You’re basically tying the strip of paper in a knot, just like how you tie a shoe lace in the beginning. Only you have to try to get it as close to one end as possible, then flatten the ‘knot/tie’ without creasing the edges. If you don’t crease the edges, you get a better “puff” for the stats. And actually… These are sooo easy to make once you get the hang of it. Tiny ones are super cute too!

      • Anonymous says:

        You’re basically tying the strip of paper in a knot, just like how you tie a shoe lace in the beginning. Only you have to try to get it as close to one end as possible, then flatten the ‘knot/tie’ without creasing the edges. If you don’t crease the edges, you get a better “puff” for the stats. And actually… These are sooo easy to make once you get the hang of it. Tiny ones are super cute too!

  50. I love this idea and I am going to the video now and I found you on stumble upon. Your fan Jackie

  51. Danielle says:

    what video was it ?? can you send me a link or something ??

  52. Ian says:

    An excellent idea. A unique and fun way to be encouraging to others.

  53. Dita Maulani says:

    great idea to encourage my students to keep up the good work and keep learning!

    dita

  54. codilla says:

    I love these stars. I found them on Stumbleupon and promptly made a big batch to give to my best friend for her 40th birthday. I’m going to put them in a little ceramic bowl I made. It was a lot of fun looking for quippy little sayings and words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing!

  55. Jen LaMastra says:

    You are not alone in getting the grumps creep up on ya. What is so inspiring and adorably precious is that you can turn sourness into such an adorable inspiring and smile inducing treasure! Great job! Who doesn’t like sweet little presents to open every week??? Brilliant. Really.

  56. Becky says:

    Darling idea! I am going to make these for my daughter for her first year away from home at college! Great for YW activity at church too!

  57. Marley Lester says:

    Every one I know loves them!!

  58. Amy says:

    I cannot for the life of me get them to form into stars at the end. So bummed. They just get kind of mushed and don’t puff out or hold their star shape. 🙁

  59. This is just a wonderful idea! I’ve included a link on my latest blog post, and am currently crafting this for my youngest son while he’s away at camp!!

  60. These little stars are SOOO coolio! I love that you included words of encouragement – I think we all really need those quite frequently. (because once in a while is just not often enough!)

  61. Deborah says:

    These are adorable. I work at an elementary school that has seen budget and staff cuts. These little happies will bring a bit cheer to the whole office. Not to mention the Secret Pal angle…leave on in your “victim’s” mailbox every day.

  62. Sarah says:

    This is a wonderful idea and I used it as a present for my boyfriend except each strip had a reason why I love him written on it.

    It’s always nice to get inspiration from others.

  63. Tami says:

    Thank you so much for this wonderful idea! I have a “coping bucket” and I’m filling it with these starts instead of just strips of paper!

  64. Amanda says:

    Thank you so much for posting this! It was a ton of fun. I used 12×12″ scrapbook paper and it worked well. I gave these to a friend as part of a “make a homemade gift for a friend just because” promise for 2011 🙂 You are very talented!

  65. Lucky stars! i love it, thanks for sharing

  66. little kim says:

    I used to make these stars when I was younger but I never thought of writing a nice note inside. What a thoughtful idea:)

  67. This is a fantastic idea!x 🙂 I’ve got a bunch of these stars here at home but I don’t really know what to do with them afterwards!x I think I’m going to be making some of that next time! Not only does look pretty, but you found a way to make it inspirationally useful!x

  68. I’ve never seen these. Such an adorable and sweet idea for a party or as favors. I love these 🙂

  69. mohanavhalli says:

    hi your work is awesome its so sweet for an ocassion

  70. Christine says:

    I love making my stars! I started about a year ago and I’m addicted! Absolutely adorable! I just ran out of paper 🙁 guess what I know what I want for Christmas! I have perfected the art of origami star making! <3

  71. ritagrace says:

    These star messages are precious! I plan to make some for our women’s Bible study group. I will write encouraging Bible promises on them to give each person a lift. Thank you so very much for sharing your idea!

  72. jessica says:

    What kind of paper did you all use? Thanks!

  73. Sara says:

    What kind of paper do you use? I’ve found mini lucky star paper online but its very expensive. Is it the same as quilling paper? Can you use scrapbook paper? I want to make a variety of sizes and maybe make them into a garland of sorts.

  74. That is super awesome! I am pinning it and I hope I can do this as well as you! I would love for you to share this with my followers at SaMiE’s first ever SURPRISE linky party, located here: http://samiedesigns.blogspot.com/p/samies-surprise-linky-parties.html

    Thanks!

  75. Anonymous says:

    Just love the gentle hippyness of this idea, thank you for sharing x

  76. I just love these!! So much so.. .that I just gave it a go and totally enjoyed it. I can see a few more stars in my future. But, tell me one thing, you really unwrap them to read the message? Aww, they are so cute… or do you fold them back up when you are done?

  77. Great idea for my boyfriend to get thru school its going to be a valentines day gift

  78. Peggy rentz says:

    I live this website

  79. These are adorable. I shared your project on my blog today. Here’s the link to the post: http://www.ilovefarmweddings.com/2012/02/01/handmade-origami-stars/

    Thanks for showing off such a creative idea!

  80. sara says:

    Cute!
    When I pinch the ends the star doesn’t puff out; it only flattens. It’s as if I need to poke something down into it to push it out. Any hints?

  81. Nicole says:

    This is a BRILLIANT idea!!! I’m getting married in September and wanted to leave a favor that was uplifting to each of our guests…. I haven’t found anything until now… This is PERFECT!!! I hope you consider making this into a business and check out etsy.com. This could be lucrative, while spreading joy to the world 🙂

  82. Eleanor West says:

    This was so cool. I made a bunch for my friend to have while I was away for 6 months, so the could have a bunch of messages from me.

  83. Holly says:

    Found you thru stumble upon, and following you on pinterest. What a great idea you have here! Thanks for sharing it!

  84. I love this idea, and it would be great for my workplace, I’m just not sure I can make all those little stars. Maybe I need to have a star party?

  85. enysh says:

    its a great idea..!! I would love to make jar of stars not just for myself but to offer to friends and visitors too 🙂

  86. Kara says:

    Honestly I put little querkies in them like “Where’s the Beef?” (of course it was hamburger paper) along with things like “You’re so beautiful.” I think they are adorable but it can be a pain to make so many.

  87. Thanks for sharing this neat idea! I love teabag folding, and this just gives me more reason to fold!

  88. Ori says:

    That’s what I did when I was studying in high school! Miss those moments. I was an origami addict back then ;). I really love to receive these little guiding stars until now. Thanks for the article!

  89. Your stars are a terrific party idea for children or adults. I would use them specifically for bridal shower favors. Well Done!

    Cat

  90. Pippa says:

    What a lovely idea, have been meaning to make origami stars for ages! We did something similar with our mums project – making paper fortune cookies to put random treats that we wanted inside. I also made a bunch of cookies with lovely messages in for a friend who needed cheering up, and it was a really popular gift – she keeps refolding them and using them again! Here’s a link to the ‘Feed Your Cookie Mumster’ treats mums made for ourselves: http://www.storyofmum.com/content/feed-your-cookie-mumster-846. Thank you!

  91. Ebba says:

    you have to have some type of special paper to make the stars!

  92. Becky says:

    Thanks so much! I’m going to put a bowl of these next to the guest book at my wedding 🙂

  93. Jennifer Torres says:

    I made a bunch of these and put date ideas and gave it to my boyfriend for our anniversary along with a note saying that if he ever ran out of ideas, to just look in the stars for the way.

  94. Annie says:

    Hi Regina, just found these gorgeous stars – and what a fabulous idea to write down positive thoughts on them. Plan on making these for my son’s teacher. Have also shared onto Pinterest. Thanks so much.

  95. Anonymous says:

    I actually started making these stars because of a comic I saw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnz-GlJ934I) and was trying to find out how to write stuff in them when I came across this. Your article is the reason I know how to put the little messages in them now 😉 this is a fantastic idea and I’ve started my jar as well.

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