Carnival Party Decorations - Paper Carousel

Hi Crafty Friends, Amanda here from Lace Designs Studio!! Today we’ll be working on a super cute paper carousel for your carnival party decorations! This cut file can be found on Etsy, just click here - Carousel SVG. This amazing 3D paper craft centerpiece will amaze your friends and family and will definitely be the talk of the party!

How To Assemble A Circus Carousel

First step is cutting out all your pieces. Then I started by gluing all the details for the horse and set it aside to work on the larger pieces. Then, I grabbed the two strips that will form a circle for the bottom base of the carousel, folded along the scored lines and glued them together. Once they were glued together, I added glue to the inside of the tabs, and then placed the circle inside to help form the structure. Then, I flipped it over and glued the additional circle to cover the tabs.

Next up, I took the center pole and folded along the scored lines before gluing the end tab to “close” it. I then slide the hexagon piece with the hexagon cut out over it and then folded back the tabs to add glue and keep in place. Next, I flipped it and did the same for the circle - but before adding glue, I recommend inserting the straws just to make sure the holes align and they’re not glued out of place, or you’ll have a crooked carousel. 

Then, I switched over to decorate the pieces of the tent decor. I started with the small yellow piece that will go on the very top once the strips have all been glued. I then started gluing all the larger triangle pieces down, followed by the smaller pieces that work as corner pieces and “half way” points if you wanted a trim-color tent. Once all strips were glued in place, I glued the smaller yellow tab on top.

Next, we’re back to finishing our base. Now that we have the circular bottom, and the center pole done separately, we’re going to join them. I recommend gluing a few tabs at a time as opposed to adding glue to all the tabs and gluing at once. This allows some flexibility to shift it around as it closes.

Then we’ll need to create the top piece where the tent top will attach. To do that, we’ll follow similar to what we did for the blue strips - we’ll glue the hexagon strips together to form the shape. Add glue one tab at a time and glue around the hexagon piece connected to the center pole (easier to do when flipped). 

Finally, its time to add our tent piece to what we already have. Gluing one tab at a time, carefully glue the tent tabs to the carousel. I recommend going a little slower here for proper dry time and to make sure it’s all glued in place. Once all tabs are glued, add the decorative scallop pieces to cover the glued tabs and glue your horse onto the straws.

Now you have the perfect Circus centerpiece for your next carnival party! Or change the color palette for a whimsical little girl's party or Disneyland theme!

Supplies:

• Encore Cardstock in All American Red, Lemon Twist, Honolulu Blue, Jet Black, and Snowy White
• File: Carousel SVG
• Cutting Machine
• Straws
• Bearly Arts Glue

-Amanda

(LaceDesignsStudio_)

Want to see another Circus themed project from Amanda? Click here for more!