Crafts aren’t just for kids! An article from Neurology, a journal published by the American Academy of Neurology, states that older adults who participate in creative activities, such as crafts, could delay the development of memory problems. Crafting also allows you to develop new skills and can give you the opportunity to do something a little bit different. All great reasons to make a craft!

Below is a craft that we recently made at the Louisa County Library. Try making this paper rosette wreath at home:

Supplies needed:
Paper, cut into 1.5” x 12” strips (thicker paper, such as scrapbooking paper, works best)
Glue gun (plus extra glue sticks)
Cardboard form (cut out a 12” circle from a piece of cardboard)
Scissors, ruler, scrap paper
Optional: 1” circles or other shapes, ribbon

Step 1:
Fold your strip like an accordion using 1/4” folds. You might want to score your lines with a ruler first if you have trouble making small, even folds. You’ll need about 11 pieces of paper, more if you want to overlap your rosettes.

Step 2:
Join the ends of the folded paper and secure with glue or tape to form a cylinder.

Step 3:
Gather the folds on one end of the cylinder and gently press down—don’t worry if you have to gently reshape your cylinder as you go. As you press down, the shape of the rosette will begin to form.

Use hot glue and a small piece of scrap paper to secure it at the center of the plain side of the rosette. The scrap paper will create a flat surface and will make it easier to glue to the wreath form.

Step 4:
Glue circles (or other shapes) to the centers of the circles on the decorated side of the rosette.

Step 5:
Arrange rosettes around wreath form and glue into place. If you want to make smaller rosettes, cut the paper into 1″ x 12″ strips.

Step 6:
Tie on ribbon and enjoy your new wreath!

For more inspiration on paper crafting, check out these books:
Sweet Paper Crafts by Mollie Greene
Beautiful Paper Cutting

And check out our calendar for upcoming craft workshops!