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Dipping German Stars in Wax

By Lorraine

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Making pretty folded paper German Stars is so popular and addictive that it has become one of my all time top posts.  There are many ways to decorated with these 16-pointed paper stars. In times past, the stars were used outside to decorate trees. To protect the paper from the elements, they were dipped in paraffin.  If you want to protect your stars, this how-to for Dipping German Stars in Wax will show you.

 

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Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
But, before you can dip the German Stars you have to make them!  🙂   Here is an easy to follow, step-by-step video tutorial that will guide you through the folds and turns.
 
Click the following link:
Step-by-Step video Tutorial to make German Paper Stars.
 
 
Folded paper German Stars video tutorial for making and waxing
 
Now that you have your beautiful stars made, you probably want them to last a long time. Even if you are not planning to display your stars outside for the holidays, dipping them in wax gives them durability to enjoy for years to come.
 
Many readers have written to tell me they made these stars as children but forgot the process. Some of them still have the stars they made long ago!
 
If you like sparkle, and who doesn’t like a little sparkle, it can be added after dipping the stars in the melted wax by sprinkling on glitter. The glitter creates a lovely, snowflake-like effect that catches light and looks so pretty!
 

Dipping German Stars in Wax tutorial

Supplies and equipment 

  • double boiler or something similar to melt the wax
  • utensil to flip the stars and remove from the melted wax
  • waxed paper to place wet stars on to cool (alternatively, if you have attached a hanging thread to your stars, they can be hung from a dowel or something similar allowing the wax to cool and harden)
  • bowl for glittering
  • completed German paper stars
  • wax
  • fine craft glitter (optional)
  • needle and thread for making a hanging loop

 

 
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Process for dipping German Stars in wax

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Fill a double boiler about half full with water. Place it on the stove and heat to simmering.
 
 

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.Place a piece of wax in a bowl over a gently simmering pan of water. 

Remember to never leave the double boiler unattended. And, once you use a pan for melting wax, it should not be used to prepare food.

 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
When melted, carefully lower the paper star into the melted wax and allow the wax to coat the star.
 
 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Carefully flip the star over making sure it is completely coated with wax.
 
 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Allow the excess wax to drain from from the star.
 

Adding glitter and sparkle

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Working quickly while the wax is still melted, sprinkle with glitter. Do this over a bowl or piece of waxed paper so the excess glitter can be gathered and reused.
 

 

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
This star has been flipped and glittered on both sides.
 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Allow the waxed stars to cool on a piece of waxed paper.
 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Notice how much darker the stars become after being dipped in the wax.
 
 
 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Using  a needle and thread, carefully pierce a top point (about a 1/4 of an inch from the top) and tie the string to form a hanger. This can also be done prior to dipping into the wax.

 

Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
Lots of finished stars!

 

Pretty crochet snowflake is intricate and yet easy to make. Use as an ornament, gift embellishment or window decoration. Great video how-to.If you are giving stars as gifts, you might want to include a card. I created a FREE printable for you with a place for the recipient’s name on the front, a little history about the stars on the inside and storage suggestions on the back.

 

Get your link to the FREE printable by clicking German Folded Paper Stars Gift Card.

 
Tutorial for dipping folded paper German Stars in wax to preserve and protect from outdoor elements.
When the stars are coated in wax, they can even survive cold and snow. These stars, covered with snow, adorned a small tree on our front porch and as you can see, they stood up well.
 

Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart NewsletterEach issue of our Newsletter is timely and helpful and jam-packed with food, crafts, occasional DIY, gardening and faith resources. Relevant and seasonal posts to inspire and guide you with current trends. Available only to those who request it, so please accept our invitation to stay connected and join the Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart community. Just click the subscribe button below.

 

   

Filed Under: Crafts, More Crafts Tagged With: Christmas, German Stars

Comments

  1. Rose Dittmer says

    February 4, 2019 at 7:18 pm

    We had just a few of these stars on our Christmas tree growing up. I finally found out how to make them and like you, dip them in paraffin and sprinkle with fine glitter! I found pre cut strips on Amazon and also at Elegant Quilling, so much faster! Thank you for sharing your craft! I made a few last year at our craft shows where we sell our handmade cards. They sold well.

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      February 6, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      Hello Rose,

      So happy for your visit and taking the time to leave a comment! Yes, the stars are a big part of childhood memories for many. The waxed ones are so durable too.

      Kindly, Lorraine

      Reply
  2. Shirley Schmuck says

    January 20, 2019 at 4:24 pm

    i’m so thankful to have a place to comment here. at age 71 i share this memory, sweet memory, of making these stars as a Blue Bird and then again as a Camp Fire Girl. this would be somewhere around 1958 to 1960, and i swear i can still smell the wax heating and sweeping up all the glitter we spilled on the floors. those stars hung on our Christmas trees annually until i left home. i picked up origami when i began creating greeting cards, but it wasn’t until this year i spied all the dimensional patterns. it’s a wonderfully relaxing craft for me, though shaky hands may have to give it up soon. thanks so much, Lorraine for this blog! enjoy your craft!

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      January 28, 2019 at 10:06 am

      Oh, Shirley, how lovely is your comment. I love reading of your sweet memories and your kind words. Thank you much for taking the time to visit and comment!

      Sincerely, Lorraine

      Reply
  3. Cheralee says

    December 9, 2018 at 11:48 am

    Hi there,
    I am so glad to have stumbled upon your tutorial! My cousin had these on her Christmas tree years back, she forgot how to do it…my question is, if making smaller stars do you need to adjust length of paper??

    Reply
  4. Deanna Collins says

    November 26, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    Could you share where you get your paper for the 1 inch wide stars? It is really difficult to cut 24 inch long paper. Also what is the best type of paper to make them from? I am trying with a light weight cardstock, but it doesn’t work very well. I can’t remember what paper I used when I made these as a young teenager. I had a neighbor who taught us how to make them. I made many of them, but have just begun trying to make them again and I am 80 years old. I would love to make a bunch of them to give as Christmas gifts, but I need paper that is long enough. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Diana says

    October 28, 2018 at 1:35 pm

    Thank you so much for your easy tutorial. I have wanting to learn how to make the stars for a few years. I had directions but I am more of a visual learner. I tried a few other tutorials but they were confusing to follow. I was so happy to find yours. It is great!

    Reply
  6. Sharon says

    September 29, 2018 at 1:46 pm

    One of my first memories of Christmas was of these stars hanging on my Grandmother’s tree. For years I longed to learn how they were made. On a vacation to the Smokey Mountains I found a troll shop on the craft loop…I’m not a troll person, why I went in I don’t know, oh, yes I do…hanging from the ceiling where hundreds of the stars. The gentleman that owned the shop had made them from the time he was a young boy. He picked up a great handful of paper strips and ask if I had an extra hour and of course I said yes. We sat under the tree in front of his shop and he taught me to make the stars. When I was ready to leave he handed me a bag of paper strips and told me that ought to get me back to Ohio. Actually, he was born and raised just 50 miles north of where I had lived my entire life. Since that day I have made hundreds and taught many, many people to make them. Thank you for teaching many people to make these. So glad I found your blog.

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      September 30, 2018 at 8:38 am

      Hi Sharon, I love reading your story and happy you have shared it here. It is kind of addicting once you have learned to make the stars. I know it is for me 🙂 Everyone seems to love them. Kindly, Lorraine

      Reply
  7. Christa Stegemann says

    July 18, 2018 at 1:24 am

    How wonderful! Here I thought I am the only one who remembers how to make these lovely stars. We spent many evenings every year before Christmas making these stars. Some had to be replaced, others were added each year, others were made to give as gifts to friends and family. My parents taught us how to make them from early childhood. I think I first succeeded at the age of 6.
    I also taught my children how to make them, but they have forgotten and I felt sorry that such a wonderful craft would be lost. Thank you for reviving it with a video.

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      July 24, 2018 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Christa,

      Thank you so much for your visit and comment! I am so happy to hear that the post and video were helpful to you. I love reading your story about your childhood. Hope you are now able to make lots and lots of new stars!

      Kindly, Lorraine

      Lorraine@gratefulprayerthankfulheart.com

      Reply
  8. Mike says

    December 27, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    I have a few of these stars dipped in wax made when I was a kid in the late 1950’s. They go on our indoor tree every Christmas, and have held up well for nearly 60 years. My sister asked me recently if I remembered how to make to make them. I did not. I was delighted to find your page. We will be making some new one for next Christmas. Thanks

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      December 29, 2017 at 8:08 am

      Hi Mike,

      So happy to read your comment about the stars and that it will be helpful as you make more for next Christmas. It is amazing that the ones from your childhood have survived and are still enjoyed. They will probably last for future generations and become more and more cherished

      Thank you for leaving your comment!
      Sending wishes for a Happy New Year!

      Kindly, Lorraine

      Reply
  9. Isabel says

    October 28, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    I have tried several tutorials for making these stars and always got frustrated. Well, you ( your tutorial) and I sat down together this morning and I can now say that after three hours (!) I made more than twelve stars. I had to replay your video back each time but at last, I had success..tomorrow you and I will be dipping them in wax and putting glitter on them. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Lorraine says

      October 29, 2017 at 8:10 am

      Oh, Isabel, you made my day! I am so happy you got the hang of making these stars. Isn’t it rewarding! Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
      Kindly, Lorraine

      Reply
  10. MGF says

    December 12, 2014 at 6:18 am

    I love these stars, and thank you for the tutorial! As a child, one of my classmates' mothers made these for the class each year. I have them all on my own tree every year. Looking forward to making some of my own!

    Reply
  11. Shirley says

    November 12, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial. I found it while looking for something else on handmade Christmas ornaments. Back in the early 1950's, my dad bought some from a guy at work who was helping a disabled neighbor to supplement her income. They were lost many years ago & I have been searching for instructions for at least 25 years.
    Blessings to you.

    Reply
  12. SolaraLover says

    November 30, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Thank you sooo much for this incredible instruction video..I am hooked and have been making them for 2 days. Ive been looking for instructions on how to do this. They remind e of my grade school years!! THANK YOU.

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    June 29, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    This is such a wonderful tutorial. I've just linked to it from my site:

    Please let me know if it's okay to link to your projects like this in the future.

    Thanks!
    Rachel@AllFreeHolidayCrafts

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    February 1, 2011 at 12:36 am

    I'm so thrilled to finally find a GOOD step by step video for making these stars!! A coworker of my father-in-law gave them to him in the late '50s. They were still used until '91, when they were lost in a house fire. I've since been looking for a replacement pattern!!

    Reply
  15. Charlene says

    December 30, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    I love these stars! We always had them on our christmas tree during my growning up years. Thanks for the tutorial – I can learn how to make them now!!!

    Reply
  16. Suzanne in TX says

    December 30, 2009 at 1:53 am

    Hello there! I just found your blog via OPT and I love the look of these stars–they are wonderful. Something else has caught my attention, though: Raider!!! He is adorable and I think he might need a new Valentine's Day collar from my Etsy shop, Crazy For Collars! I've added some collars with bow ties and will be adding more in the next few days. Come on over and take a look.
    I'm going to look over some of your recipes-maybe I'll be inspired to make something new for my hubby and I (we've been married 33.5 years).

    Reply
  17. Obe's says

    December 30, 2009 at 12:21 am

    What a cute idea!! thanks !
    Diane

    Reply
  18. Greyhaven Pines says

    December 29, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    I read about this in the book An Early American Christmas. I am thrilled to have the instructions. Thank you!

    Warm wishes,

    Elizabeth

    Reply
  19. crochet lady says

    December 29, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Those are so beautiful! The white stars are stunning on the little snow covered tree.

    Reply
  20. Janice says

    December 28, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    They are beautiful Lorraine, you are so clever.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Patriotic Stars | Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    July 31, 2021 at 11:33 am

    […] not be using them outside. If you would like to wax the stars you make, I will show you how in this Dipping German Stars in Wax […]

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  2. German Star Tutorial & FREE Printable Gift Cards | Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    November 9, 2017 at 5:01 am

    […] For added sparkle, diamond glitter can be sprinkled on while the wax is still soft. The folded stars are just lovely as they are but if you would like to give them protection for outdoor use, as I did when decorating the porch, follow the how-to by clicking Dipping German Stars in Wax. […]

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  3. Folded German Stars Tutorial (5) - Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    September 17, 2017 at 8:14 am

    […] dip the stars in wax. […]

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  4. Making German Stars... Again (4) - Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    September 15, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    […] Note:  In my original tutorial post, I suggest waxing the paper stars. I would continue to do this especially for the stars used outside for holiday decorating. I do not plan waxing the metallic stars because they are lovely as is but I won’t be  using them outside.How to Wax and glitter your Stars can be found by clicking How to Wax German Stars. […]

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  5. Paper German Stars Video Tutorial - Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    September 15, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    […] Traditionally these German Stars were dipped in paraffin to help protect them from the outdoor elements. I displayed some on a tree on my porch and they suffered no ill effect. You can find the process by clicking Dipping German Stars in Wax. […]

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  6. Folded Paper German Stars (7) - Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart says:
    September 15, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    […] for sparkle, if you wish. They’re all pretty! You can see the waxing process by clicking Dipping German Paper Stars. Stored carefully to prevent smashing, the stars last year after year.  You may even have a […]

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Hi! I'm Lorraine. Welcome to Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. A place to find food for your tummy, projects for your hands, and encouragement for your heart.

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