Paper Twist Angel

Just like yesterday’s ornament inspired a whole nativity, and the needlefelted animals inspired another nativity, this paper twist nativity was inspired by this little angel ornament. I knew that I needed to add some angels to this tree, and when my friend handed me that great big bag of paper twist, I knew how to do it. And then I liked it so much that I expanded it (again) to a whole nativity, and a special surprise still to come.

Each angel will call for:
Cream: 24 inches
Natural or flesh colored: 5 inches
White: 20 inches

Unroll all your paper twist, and brush a little gold paint onto the cream paper. I water mine down to keep it subtle. Let that paper dry while you work on the next couple of steps.

Since this ornament will be hung, you don’t have to worry about making it stand up. So all you need is a wooden bead for the head, and a small dowel that will fit through the hole. I actually used bamboo chopsticks from the dollar store because they were thin enough and easy to cut to the length I needed.

Thread a ribbon through the hole in the bead and tie a knot at the top to keep it place. Tie another knot in the ends for it to hang on the tree.

To make the halo, wrap a piece of wire around the bead and twist the ends. Use a tiny bit of glue to keep it in place.

Cut another piece of wire just shorter than the piece of natural colored paper twist. Place it on one end of the paper and fold the ends in to hold it in place.

Roll the paper up tightly to create the arms and glue the ends down to hold it together.

Cut a 4″ piece of the cream paper twist, and glue the edges together lengthwise to create a tube.

Thread the arms through the tube and pinch in the center. Use a little hot glue to keep that pinch in place.

Use a little more hot glue to stick the arms onto the body.

Cut three pieces of cream paper twist 4″ long and use hot glue to stick them around the waist.

Cut a piece of cream paper twist 12″ long, and then cut it again lengthwise. Wrap on piece over each shoulder, gluing under the armpit to hide the body.

Wrap a piece of wire around the waist a few times for a belt.

To make the wings, begin by cutting 4 pieces of white paper twist 5″ long. Cut them into a wing shape by cutting just as you would if you were cutting a heart out of a folded piece of paper. For a little more stability, glue a piece of wire into the top of that curve.

Then glue another piece of the wing over the top of it.

Glue two of those wings to the middle of the back, and your angel is ready to fly.

The wire in the arms allows you to position them however you like. You could have your angel bringing a present, or praying, or, like my angel here, spreading some good news to some shepherds.