Snowflake Adoration and Creation

Want to Make a Snowflake?

Archer Atwood Books News: January 2025: Episode 2

Six Sides Equals Snow

What is snow? It all begins when water vapor freezes straight into a hexagonal (six sided) crystal. From that shape, branches and ornamentation will grow to form the shapes we are all familiar with. Yes, six sided is what makes a snowflake a snowflake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can we bring a snowflake inside so we can keep enjoying it?

Well, technically we can’t. We can try the next best thing, which is to preserve their likenesses.

 

Project A: The Cheap Method:

Hey look, it’s snowing outside!

Quick, grab that clear plastic cover off the last report you handed in at school, or maybe you happen to have a sheet of clear acetate. Place it over a clean rigid surface: I used a cookie baking sheet.

Now grab a spray can of clear top coat. (I’m a fan of Krylon’s Clear) and an adult if you are a minor. In a well vented area or a sheltered porch, spray a thin layer over your acetate. Try to avoid your face or nose or eyes or your pet, please.

Wait a couple seconds for it to get tacky. Now hold it out in the falling snow to capture scattered snowflakes for just a second or two, then run inside or cover your sheet.

Once inside your snowflakes will melt and leave behind a “footprint” in the acrylic coating. Take out that handy dandy magnifying glass and enjoy!

Snowflakes are amazing pieces of art. I am in constant awe of their intricate designs. How is it possible? Why are these tiny fleeting things so beautiful?

A little more complicated way of capturing the flakes can be found at Kenneth G. Libbrecht’s great website. There you can learn about the science of snowflakes and see his beautiful photos. I happen to own a couple of his books. The images are amazing!

If that sounds like too much effort, or you are reading this at work, you can go old-fashion and bring the kid in you out.

 

Project B: Crafty

Yank out some white copy paper from your printer, a small round plate leftover from lunch, scissors borrowed from your co-worker, and you are good to go to make paper snowflakes!

Step 1. Draw a circle and cut it out.

Step 2. Fold in half.

Now comes the tricky part to get it so its six sided:

Steps 3 and 4. Fold it into thirds, bringing the sides equally into the middle. (A side note, this is also the way to make a funnel, or a fast pastry bag, just cut the tip)

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5. For practice draw the image here. Cut it out and unfold! Try different cuts and see how many styles you can come up with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project B Plus: Tricky

Don’t have a plate handy, can’t draw a circle, or prefer a more complicated method? Here you go;

Step 1. Cut out a perfect square.

Step 2 and 3. Fold in half and half again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4 is sorcery: Fold the sides in till it looks like Step 5. They must be even.

Step 6: Cut off the tails

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Draw out the design and cut it out the edge pieces. I warned you it was more complicated. Not to worry, there are videos on line you can follow. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prick a small hole at the top of one of the branches and thread string or ribbon so you can hang them from your ceiling to create the perfect snowfall, one that will stay forever and you don’t get cold!

If you would like to learn more about snowflakes, or have a reference for cutting out more delicate paper ones, I suggest looking for books by the original snowflake hunter W.A Bentley and the current expert Kenneth G. Libbrecht at http://www.snowcrystals.com/

Now that your room is dripping with beautiful permanent snowflakes.

Have a great winter season! And may it snow softly on you!

Enjoy! Atwood

 

This article was brought to you by “Moonlit Meadow”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article is copyrighted by Archer Atwood Books/N.A.M. 2025.

 

 

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