Ever since the inception of chewing gum, people have been looking for new and interesting ways to occupy themselves with the pink, sugary treat. One of the most popular pastimes is making a heart using only a gum wrapper. Whether you’re looking for a fun and cheap Valentine’s Day craft for kids to do, or you just want to impress your significant other with your creative skills, it’s a super easy art or craft activity that uses simple materials and can be completed in just a few minutes. It makes a great gift too! So get ready to be the envy of all your friends with this easy-to-follow guide on how to make a heart with a gum wrapper.
First, you’ll need to gather your materials. You’ll need a piece of gum, a pair of scissors, and a piece of paper. If you want to get creative, you can also use markers, crayons, or glitter to decorate your heart. Once you have your materials, you’re ready to get started.
Start by unwrapping your piece of gum. Then, fold the wrapper in half lengthwise. Next, fold the wrapper in half widthwise. Now, cut a small notch in the top of the wrapper, about 1/4 inch from the edge. Finally, unfold the wrapper and fold the two sides together, aligning the edges. Press down on the edges to seal them. And there you have it! You’ve now successfully made a heart using only a gum wrapper.
Unfold and Flatten the Wrapper
The first step in crafting a heart from a gum wrapper is to unfold and flatten it. Remove the gum from the wrapper and discard it. Take the wrapper in your hands and carefully unfold it. The wrapper may have creases or folds, so gently smooth it out with your fingers. Lay the wrapper flat on a work surface, ensuring there are no wrinkles or creases. This will create a rectangular base for your heart shape.
Prepare the Wrapper
Before you begin folding, it’s essential to prepare the wrapper for optimal shaping. Remove any adhesive residue or sticky portions from the wrapper. If the wrapper has a glossy or waxy coating, gently scratch or sand it lightly to create a slightly rough surface. This will allow the wrapper to hold its shape better once folded.
Fold in Half Horizontally
Take the flattened wrapper and fold it in half horizontally. Make sure the edges are aligned and there are no gaps. Use a ruler or a straight object to ensure a precise crease. This fold will create the vertical axis of your heart shape.
Fold in Half Vertically
Next, unfold the wrapper and fold it in half vertically. Again, align the edges and crease firmly. This fold will create the horizontal axis of your heart shape.
Unfold and Form the Base
Unfold the wrapper once more. The four created creases will help guide you in forming the base of the heart. Fold the bottom two corners towards the center crease. Align the edges and crease them firmly. This will create a triangular shape at the base of the heart.
Fold the Sides In
Take the top two corners of the wrapper and fold them inwards. Align the edges with the center crease and crease firmly. This will form the sides of the heart shape.
Shape the Curve
To create the curve of the heart, gently curve the folded sides inwards. Use your fingers to shape it into a smooth, rounded curve. Make sure the edges align at the center point.
Secure the Top
To secure the top point of the heart, take the remaining flap and fold it over the other layers. Tuck it into the center and crease it firmly. This will close the heart shape and give it a finished look.
Find the Center Point
Locating the precise center point of the gum wrapper is crucial for creating a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing heart shape. To achieve this, follow these detailed steps:
Method 1: Using Folding
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Fold Horizontally | Fold the gum wrapper in half along its longest side, bringing the opposite edges together. Crease it firmly. |
| Unfold and Fold Vertically | Unfold the wrapper and fold it in half along its shortest side. Crease it again. |
| Intersect Creases | The point where the horizontal and vertical creases intersect represents the center point of the wrapper. |
Method 2: Using Measuring Tape
If you have a flexible measuring tape or ruler, you can use it to determine the center point more precisely:
- Measure the length of the wrapper along one side.
- Divide the measurement by 2 to find the midpoint.
- Mark the midpoint with a pencil or pen.
- Measure the width of the wrapper along one end.
- Divide the measurement by 2 to find the midpoint.
- Mark the midpoint with a pencil or pen.
- The intersection of the two marked midpoints is the center point.
Fold the Corners Inward
To fold the corners inward, start by folding the top right corner of the gum wrapper down to meet the center crease. Then, fold the top left corner down to meet the center crease as well. Next, fold the bottom right corner up to meet the center crease. Finally, fold the bottom left corner up to meet the center crease. This will create a heart shape.
If you are having trouble folding the corners inward, you can use a toothpick or a pair of scissors to help you. Simply insert the toothpick or scissors into the corner of the gum wrapper and fold it down.
Once you have folded all of the corners inward, you can use a glue stick or a piece of tape to secure them in place. You can also use a hole punch to create a hole in the top of the heart so that you can hang it up.
Here are some additional tips for folding the corners inward:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a ruler or a straight edge to help you fold the corners evenly. | This will help to create a more symmetrical heart shape. |
| Fold the corners in small increments. | This will help to prevent the gum wrapper from tearing. |
| Be patient. | It may take a few tries to get the corners folded perfectly. |
Create the Heart Shape
1. Fold the Gum Wrapper in Half
- Fold the wrapper in half along the length, creating a long, narrow rectangle.
- Ensure the gum flavor or logo is hidden inside the fold.
2. Fold the Top Corners In
- Fold the top right and left corners down to meet the center crease.
- Flatten the corners to form two sharp points.
3. Flip the Wrapper Over
- Turn the wrapper upside down so that the points formed in step 2 are now at the bottom.
4. Fold the Points Up
- Lift the bottom points up to meet the top edge of the wrapper.
- Crease them well to form two more sharp points.
5. Tuck the Sides In and Expand the Heart
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Holding the sharp points on the left and right, tuck the side edges inward towards the center.
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Gently pull on the points to expand the heart shape and create a rounded curve on the sides.
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Folding Technique Tips Tucking the sides inward Ensure the edges are folded evenly for a symmetrical heart. Expanding the heart Pull gently and evenly to avoid tearing the wrapper. Creating the curve Hold the sharp points firmly to maintain the heart’s shape and achieve a smooth curve. Tuck in the Sides
Fold the gum wrapper tabs inward, creating two small triangles that meet at the center point. Ensure that the creases are sharp and precise for a neat finish.
Next, take the right triangle and tuck it behind the left triangle, creating a tiny envelope shape. Be gentle when tucking, as the wrapper material can be delicate.
Finally, repeat this step with the left triangle by tucking it behind the right triangle, enclosing the small envelope entirely. This section of the gum wrapper forms the base of the heart, providing stability and a secure foundation for the shape.
Table: Tucking Instructions
Step Instructions 1 Fold inwards to create two triangles. 2 Tuck right triangle behind left. 3 Tuck left triangle behind right. Shape the Top Curve
To shape the top curve, you’ll need to make some precise folds. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Fold the long end of the wrapper down towards the center: Bring the long end of the gum wrapper down towards the center crease, forming a triangle.
- Crease the fold: Using your fingers, crease the fold along the entire length.
- Unfold the wrapper: Unfold the wrapper to its original position.
- Fold the top corners down: Take the top two corners of the wrapper and fold them down towards the center crease, meeting at the point where the first fold meets the crease.
- Crease the folds: Crease these new folds carefully.
- Fold the top edge down: Bring the top edge of the wrapper down towards the bottom edge, forming a trapezoid shape.
- Crease the fold: Crease this fold along the entire length.
- Shape the curve: Gently curve the top edge of the wrapper inward, towards the center crease, to create a smooth, rounded shape.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you shape the top curve perfectly:
- Make sure your folds are precise and clean.
- Don’t overfold the wrapper, as this can make the curve too sharp.
- If you’re having trouble shaping the curve, use a toothpick or a pair of tweezers to gently guide the wrapper into place.
- Once you’ve shaped the curve, hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it stays in shape.
Smooth and Flatten
To smooth out the wrapper, gently rub your fingers over it in a circular motion. This will help to remove any creases or wrinkles. If the wrapper is particularly wrinkled, you can try using a warm iron to iron it flat. Place a cloth over the wrapper and iron it on low heat, being careful not to burn the paper.
Fold the wrapper in half lengthwise
Once the paper is flat, fold it in half lengthwise. Crease the fold firmly. This will create the center crease of the heart.
Fold the top corners down to the center crease
Take the top left corner of the wrapper and fold it down to the center crease. Repeat with the top right corner. These folds will form the sides of the heart.
Fold the bottom corners up to the center crease
Take the bottom left corner of the wrapper and fold it up to the center crease. Repeat with the bottom right corner. These folds will form the bottom of the heart.
Tuck the bottom flaps into the sides
Take the bottom left flap of the wrapper and tuck it into the left side of the heart. Repeat with the bottom right flap. This will help to secure the heart shape.
Flatten the heart
Once the heart is shaped, gently flatten it with your fingers. This will help to give it a more polished look.
Add a touch of glue (optional)
If you want to make sure the heart stays in shape, you can add a touch of glue to the edges. Apply a small amount of glue to the edges of the heart and press them together. Allow the glue to dry completely before handling the heart.
Variations
There are many different ways to make a heart out of a gum wrapper. You can experiment with different folding techniques to create different looks. You can also add embellishments, such as glitter, sequins, or stickers, to make your heart more unique.
Secure
To secure your heart, you will need some additional materials:
- A toothpick or skewer
- A piece of string or thread
- A hot glue gun (optional)
Once you have your materials, follow these steps:
- Insert the toothpick or skewer into the bottom of one of the hearts.
- Push the toothpick or skewer through the bottom of the other heart, aligning the two hearts.
- Tie a piece of string or thread around the toothpick or skewer, securing the two hearts together.
- If desired, you can use a hot glue gun to add extra support to the joint.
Display
Once your heart is secure, you can display it in a variety of ways:
Hanging
To hang your heart, simply tie a piece of string or thread to the top of the toothpick or skewer. You can then hang your heart from a hook, nail, or other object.
Standing
To make your heart stand up, you can use a small piece of cardboard or foam board. Cut out a small circle or square from the cardboard or foam board, and then insert the toothpick or skewer into the center. Your heart will now be able to stand upright on its own.
Attaching to a surface
To attach your heart to a surface, you can use a piece of tape, glue, or a magnet. Simply apply the adhesive to the back of the heart and then attach it to the desired surface.
How to Make a Heart with Gum Wrapper
Making a heart with a gum wrapper is a simple and fun way to show your affection. It’s a great activity for kids and adults alike, and it can be used to decorate cards, gifts, or even just to keep as a memento.
To make a heart with a gum wrapper, you will need the following materials:
- A piece of gum wrapper
- A pair of scissors
- A ribbon or string (optional)
Once you have your materials, follow these steps:
- Lay the gum wrapper flat on a table.
- Fold the wrapper in half lengthwise.
- Cut a heart shape out of the folded wrapper.
- Unfold the wrapper and flatten it out.
- Fold the bottom point of the heart up to the top point.
- Fold the two side points of the heart into the center.
- Tie a ribbon or string around the top of the heart, if desired.
Your gum wrapper heart is now complete! You can use it to decorate cards, gifts, or even just to keep as a memento.
People also ask
How do you make a gum wrapper heart without scissors?
You can make a gum wrapper heart without scissors by tearing the wrapper in half lengthwise and then tearing out a heart shape.
What can you use instead of a gum wrapper to make a heart?
You can use other materials to make a heart, such as construction paper, felt, or even fabric.
How do you make a gum wrapper heart that stands up?
You can make a gum wrapper heart that stands up by folding the bottom point of the heart up to the top point and then folding the two side points of the heart into the center.
