Easy Paper Crafts: Celtic Design 12 Circles

This Celtic design with 12 circles makes a striking and easy paper crafts project.

With just a few materials and tools, I show you how to make this beautiful project in the pictures below.

Simple and inexpensive construction paper in blue, green, orange, red, purple and black made this eye-catching version of the Celtic Design.

The yellow background is 24-pound 8.5x11 printer paper.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 purple circles finished
Let's make a version using five bright colors of 24-pound printer paper.

Easy Paper Crafts: Celtic Design 12 Circles Materials and Tools:

Paper - six colors, 8.5 x 11; five to make the design and one for the background 
Pencil 
Eraser 
Scissors 
Frame (optional)  
Pattern (Click here for the pattern: page 1 and page 2.)

The Steps for How to Make the Easy Paper Crafts: Celtic Design 12 Circles:

Print the patterns and trim around the outer and inner lines.

Cut two of the large shape in two different colors.

Cut two of the long narrow shape in two separate colors.

Cut twelve of the circles out of a fifth color but make them all the same color.

The background can be either 7.5 x 8.5 inches to fit the design, or it can be the size you want. (In the first picture above, the black background is 7.5 x 8.5 inches. In the example below, the black background is 8.5 x 11 inches.)

The modified rectangles and long narrow shapes should remain one continuous shape, however cut each circle in order to weave it over and under the other pieces.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles cut pattern
Place the first long narrow shape with the flattened ends at the top and bottom going from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles place first shape
Place the next shape, one of the large, modified rectangles, over the first shape in same direction and with the more rounded corners at the top and bottom.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles place second shape
The second large modified rectangle goes over the first, again with the more rounded corners at the top and bottom.

However, this shape should be placed from the upper right to the lower left
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles place third shape
Position the remaining long narrow shape over the other three with the orientation from upper right to lower left.

Place the flattened ends toward the top and bottom.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles place fourth shape
Begin weaving the circles over and under where the modified rectangles cross.

Follow the over and under patterns shown below and hide the cut in the circle under one of the pieces.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add first circle
Add the second circle. Notice, not every crossed point in the rectangles has a circle.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add second circle
Add the third circle.

As you work with the circles, the shape becomes distorted.

Don't worry, you can re-shape the pieces properly after you add all of the circles.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add third circle
Add the fourth circle. Again, the shape looks out of kilter, but you will fix it later.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add fourth circle
Weave the next row of circles over and under the pieces of the modified rectangles.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add second row
Add the third row of four circles.

To check your weave, make sure each line of the modified rectangles alternates going over and under the circles and other rectangular lines.

Re-position the overall shape into the not-quite-square design.

Make sure the cut portion of each circle is hidden behind a modified rectangle piece.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles add final row
Here's the final shape in a simple 8.5x11 acrylic frame.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 yellow circles complete
Here, the version on the left used construction paper for the design and black background with the yellow, 8.5x11 printer paper "matting" the design.

The version on the right used five colors of bright 8.5x11 printer paper for the design on a black construction paper background.
Easy paper crafts celtic design 12 circles two versions
The Celtic Design 12 Circles makes an entertaining and easy paper crafts project for young and old alike.

The materials and tools are inexpensive and the steps for how to make the Celtic design are simple.  

The beautiful results can be simply displayed or they can be matted and framed.

Either way, this Celtic Design is easy, fun and unusual.

The colors and the Celtic design attract the eye and intrigue the brain. Enjoy!
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