Holiday Snowflake

How to Make a DIY Holiday Snowflake

1. 1 Measure Timber to Length

   

   Firstly, measure measure up 3 of your pieces of timber cut to a 800mm length.

2. 2 Cut Pieces to Size

   Clamp the timber securely into position and cut the 3 pieces to size.

3. 3 Measure + Mark the Center of Each Piece

   

   Measure up and make a pencil mark in the center of each piece of timber. This is to create the grooves that will allow you to slot the 3 pieces together.

4. 4 Create the Cutting Outline for Each Groove

   

   The timber we used was 45mm wide. We measured to cut two 15mm(d) x 40mm(w) grooves into opposite sides of the first piece of timber. In the other 2 pieces of timber, we measured to cut a 30mm(d) x 40mm(w) groove.

5. 5 Cut Out the Grooves

   

   Use your jigsaw with a timber cutting blade to carefully cut out the grooves in each of the 3 pieces of timber.

6. 6 Lay Out Pieces to Create Your Snowflake Frame

   

   You now have the timber to create your snowflake frame. Your center piece looks like an ‘H’ and the other 2 pieces will fit either side of this.

7. 7 Mark Up Cutting Lines

   

   Using a pencil and ruler, mark up cutting lines a the end of each piece of timber. This will give the pointed edges to your snowflake.

8. 8 Cut Along Pencil Lines

   

   Set your jigsaw to bevel cutting mode, and carefully cut along the pencil lines. You now have the decorative, pointed ends to the snowflake frame.

9. 9 Assemble the Frame

   

   First place 1 piece of timber with a 30mm groove at the bottom with the groove facing upwards. Slot in the center piece, followed by the other piece of timber with the 30mm deep groove.

10. 10 Fix the Pieces Together

    Using your drill/driver, fix the pieces together with a screw.

11. 11 Create the 'Star' Center Piece

    

    Using a compass, draw a circle with a radius of 20mm. Then, keeping your compass at the exact same width, draw 6 dots at equal spacing around the edge of the circle. Connect the dots with straight pencil lines to create the star shape.

12. 12 Outline + Draw a Star on a Piece Timber

    

    Using a piece of timber, draw another star inside the outline to create a border effect with the same width as your frame. This gives you your inner and outer cutting lines for the star.

13. 13 Drill a Hole Within the Inner Border of the Star

    

    Before you star to cut out the star, drill a hole within the insider border of the star to give you an easier start for the cutting.

14. 14 Cut Around the Inside Border of the Star

    Fix the timber into position with a trigger clamp. Then, use your jigsaw with a timber blade, to carefully cut around the inside border of the star.

15. 15 Cut Around the Outside Border of the Star

    

    Then, cut around the outside border of the star with your jigsaw.

16. 16 Smooth Edges of Star

    

    Use a detail sander to smooth the edges of your star.

17. 17 Make the Decorative Snowflake 'Arms'

    

    You’ll need 12 pieces in total. Align the outside of the star with the corner of the plywood and draw around the inside of the star point. This will help you to draw cutter marks at the same length and width as the points of the star. Now align the star with the line you just drew. Repeat this 12 times.

18. 18 Mark Lines At the End of Each Arm

    

    Use your rule to mark straight lines at the end of each arm, as you see in this picture. Then cut out all 12 pieces using your jigsaw.

19. 19 Fix the Star + Snowflake Pieces to Frame

    

    It’s time to fix the star and snowflake pieces to your frame.

20. 20 Secure Pieces to the Frame

    

    Use a pin hammer and pins to attach the pieces to the frame securely. Measure carefully with your ruler to make sure that the snowflake pieces are evenly spaced around the frame.

21. 21 Add a Decorative Finish

    

    Now, it’s time to make the smaller star to add a decorative finish to the center piece. Using your compass, create a circle with a radius of 50mm and draw your star shape.

22. 22 Use a Jigsaw to Cut Around the Edges

    Clamp the timber securely into position and carefully cut around the edges with your jigsaw.

23. 23 Glue the Small Star to Your Snowflake

    

    Add the small star to the center of your snowflake with some wood glue.

24. 24 Paint the Snowflake Optional

    

    Paint the snowflake in a color of your choice, and you’ve finished!