Crafting honeycomb balls

Wabenbälle basteln

Do you want to make your own honeycomb balls? Here's a detailed step-by-step guide for beginners on how to make honeycomb balls from coffee filters.

Why coffee filters? Coffee filters make the job easy because they are already double-layered. Plus, I like the texture of the paper. Once you get the hang of honeycomb balls, you can use any other paper too.

Honeycomb balls are the perfect upcycling project to creatively use up paper scraps! Tips for upcycling honeycomb balls can be found further down the page.

By the way, my first homemade honeycomb ball was a complete failure. So please give yourself another chance if everything isn't perfect on the first try!

Links

> Here you can find my video tutorial for honeycomb balls on Youtube

What you need*
Material für Wabenbälle: Kaffeefilter, Schere, Stift, Schnur, Doppelklebeband, Schablone, Radiergummi

8 coffee filters
Pencil
Scissors
Narrow double-sided tape [Affiliate Link*] / Glue stick / Adhesive roller [Affiliate Link*]
Decorative ribbon for hanging
Template (see below)

Helpful, but not essential:
Bone folder [Affiliate Link*]
Eraser

Template
You can download the template for free here (PDF).

The files may only be downloaded and used for private purposes!

In the template, you will find templates in two sizes. For beginners, I recommend starting with the larger ball. You can print out the PDF on (sturdy) paper, cut it out, and use it as a template. Alternatively, transfer the template printed on paper to a piece of cardboard and cut it out.

Instructions
gefaltete Kaffeefilter, Falzbein

Fold all eight coffee filters in half.

A bone folder or the back of a pair of scissors can be helpful for this.
Auf Kaffefilter aufgemalter halbkreis, Schablone, Bleistift

Align the long edge of the template with the folded edge of a filter bag and use the template to draw a semi-circle on the filter.

Also, mark the indentations on the long edge with two lines. These will show you where to glue later.

Repeat this process with all eight filter bags.

If you are making the small balls, you can transfer the template twice side-by-side per coffee filter. This way, you get four paper circles from one filter and only need four filters for a small honeycomb ball.
Zur Hälfte gefaltete Kreise aus Kaffeefiltern

Now cut out the drawn semicircles along the drawn curve.

With each cut-out semicircle, you get two paper circles. Remove the inner circles from the outer ones, so that you have 16 paper circles in front of you.
Klebeband in Kreise geklebt

Take a paper circle and unfold it. The inside is facing up, the fold is vertically in front of you.

Now glue a strip horizontally from the center of the circle to the outer edge. Trust your eye for this. The glue must not go beyond the edge.

Fold the circle closed. The paper circle is now glued together in the middle.

Glue all circles together in this way.

If there are still pencil marks on the curve of some circles, you can carefully erase them. (The markings on the long side are still needed!)
zweimal Klebeband auf Kreise geklebt

You have 16 folded and glued semicircles in front of you. Half of them have pencil marks on the long side.

Now, all the prepared semicircles are glued on top of each other, layer by layer:

Take a semicircle with a marking and place it in front of you so that the marking faces upwards. Apply two strips of glue to the semicircle: one horizontally from the marking to the outer edge.
The glue must not go beyond the edge.

Place another semicircle exactly on top and glue the upper semicircle firmly to the one below.
Alle Kreise gefaltet aufeinander geklebt

Glue all the semicircles on top of each other, layer by layer. For the first layers, use circles with markings. If you glue semicircles without markings after a few layers, you will be able to see the position for the adhesive tapes on the side.
Bäckergarn auf die innenseite der gestapelten Kreise geklebt

Apply glue to the long side of your paper circle tower.

Place your decorative ribbon on it - either straight or in a loop, as desired - and press gently.
Fertiger Wabenball

Now you can unfold your ball.

To secure it, you glue two more adhesive strips to the top layer - as before - at the markings. Then you unfold the ball and glue the top side to the bottom side. Reach into the honeycomb to press the two layers together. If you are working with a glue stick, you can hold the layers together with a clip (clothespin, paper clip, etc.) until the glue has dried.

Tip: If you want to fold up your honeycomb ball again later and store it, then do not glue the last layer, but unfold the ball and close the ends with a paper clip.

Your honeycomb ball is ready!

Enjoy crafting!

Love, Kathrin

Inspiration

You can make other shapes besides honeycomb balls - for example, Easter eggs!

Honeycomb balls are great for upcycling - use newspaper, old book pages, wrapping paper...
Wabenbälle aus alten Umschlägen, buntem Papier, Buchseiten, Comics

Disclaimer

* This article may contain affiliate links to Amazon. All affiliate links are marked as such. "Affiliate link" means that I may receive a small commission if you click this link and then make a purchase on Amazon. This helps me to continue providing free craft tutorials in the future.

More craft ideas for you
Schalen aus Klopapier

Toilet paper bowls

Three reasons why these bowls are a great DIY project: Firstly, you only need very few things, and you're guaranteed to have them all at home. Secondly, it's very easy....