As I was making a new paper chain last weekend for my mom’s 86th birthday, I realized that this classic, old-school activity really is my favorite way to decorate a room. And the best part is that you can use any paper you have, and all ages can join in and collaborate. Paper chains are very happening right now (if you are on Instagram, I’m sure you are seeing them pop up). This paper chain frenzy has inspired me to do a roundup, something that I haven’t done in ages. First, I’ll tell you about the one I just made, then I’ll share my faves around the internet and some oldies-but-goodies from Art Bar over the years.
It’s hard to see the shimmery gold in these photos, but I’m really glad I used my star punch and added some gold paint to this mauve notebook paper chain. I wanted something muted, but also something that felt festive. I think it’s perfect.
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Supplies needed for Star Punched Paper Chain:
~ Any paper (I used this notebook paper in mauve)
~ Paper cutter (mine is super old, but I like this one)
How to make a Star Punched Paper Chain:
1. I cut the notebook paper into strips that were 7 inches long by 1 inch wide. Most of the stripes were across the width, but some were lengthwise.
2. I star punched 3 together at a time, but it will depend on the thickness of the paper you use. You will have to play around; you just don’t want the star punch to get stuck when opening back up after punching down. This would mean that the paper is too thick.
3. I used a glue stick to close the loops. Start with one, then weave each one through the next until you have a long chain of loops. I chose to make chains of 10-ish loops and paint them in small groups (see below).
4. I decided to add a touch of gold paint on the loops rather than the strips because the strips curled as they dried, and it was harder to then make the paper chain. So I painted all of the small chains, then I attached the strings together with some of the painted strips.
Here is a better photo of how I attached all the separate chains. You can do it a different way, like make one giant long chain and then paint. I just didn’t want a big jumbled chain on the table as I was painting, plus this made the project more portable as I finished it up at night while watching a movie with the family.
You can see in this close-up that the paint does not saturate the paper; it’s just lightly brushed on. I didn’t want the paper to be too wet with paint because it’s thin and would get too warped.
Watch how I made this star-punched paper chain on Instagram.
It would have been so cool to attach the paper chain to the middle of the ceiling and then fan out from there (like a circus tent, scroll down a bit to see what I mean), but I didn’t want to hammer anything into my ceiling, and I didn’t think tape would hold up. Also, I did Photoshop out my recessed lights in this photo! I hate them, and hope someday to redo my kitchen/dining room and create a beautiful ceiling.
Paper Chain Roundup
Some other paper chains I’ve had my eye on from around the internet. I don’t have links to everything, but I will try and link when I can. I went on Pinterest to find these. Are you on Pinterest still? I feel like it’s faded a little since Instagram and TikTok became such time sucks. But Pinterest is just on a different level. It’s still my favorite place to source visual ideas. You can still find me over there!
Top left: Completely obsessed with this paper chain made from tickets!!! This would be so fun for show decor, I’m thinking theatre lobby or a movie-themed birthday. I couldn’t find a link, but I think you can use a glue stick for this.
Top right: Pretty cool to use paint chips, love this idea from Pretty Life Girls. The paper is a big thick so you would need to staple like they did here.
Bottom left: These forest friends paper chains are so cute, from Pink Stripey Socks. Just give kids markers with construction paper strips and they can come up with their own ideas.
Bottom right: I’m also loving the idea of using washi tape for a paper chain. It would give you instant patterns. There is no link or tutorial that I could find for this image, but I’m assuming the tape goes around a piece of paper because there is a different color or pattern on the indside.
Collaborative Paper Chains Installation: Obsessed with this idea (I do say obsessed a lot, I know). I couldn’t find a link for this one, but I absolutely love that this is open to all ages and people can just add to this installation over time using any technique. Such a fun, inclusive, and playful community art project.
Top left: I love the idea of adding some random patterned papers along with plain colored paper. It gives the paper chain a more whimsical look and feel. This one is from Style Me Pretty.
Top Right: You might have seen this paper chain wall hanging before from The House that Lars Built. She’s a pretty popular crafter and always executes her projects so beautifully. I’m intrigued by this idea as a backdrop for a photo wall.
Bottom left: This wall hanging is more art than backdrop. Again, another interesting idea! You have to plan this out ahead of time, but it would be so cute in a child’s room.
Bottom right: This paper chain is from Oh Happy Day, but that blog no longer exists, so I don’t have a link for this specifically (their shop is still there). I love the thinner chains paired with the thicker ones… a good contrast is so satisfying and pleasing to the eye.
This photo above is an installation by Ahsley Renu. She makes incredible installations as her job!! What a cool career. This is what I was imagining with my star-punched paper chain, but I didn’t have the energy or time. But someday I want to make something this grand from paper.
Some more Art Bar paper chains:
Above is the paper chain we made from some old, recycled art. These papers were painted with liquid watercolor on slightly thicker paper (like cardstock), so we used a stapler. Read all about it here.
We love making heart paper chains! Read about the technique here.
Watercolor Painted Paper Chain
I made this paper chain over 10 years ago, but never posted about it. I saved it and used it for years, until we moved. I love the bright, fluorescent pink washi tape I used to bind the paper into loops. I painted both sides of the paper in warm and cool palettes using liquid watercolor.
Have fun making paper chains! So many ways to make them, and each opportunity invites collaboration with all ages. That’s why I love them!
xo Bar
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Did you like this post? Here are some more paper craft ideas:
Paper Luminaries for LED Candles
I’m curious about your family photos on the wall. Did you use regular photos to create this? Was it a simple project to put together? I love it. ❤️
hi, I ordered square photos with a border from Artifact Uprising and just tapes them to the wall in a grid! Easy to do! ~ Bar