Learn how to make breathtaking 3D layered cut art that looks difficult but is really SO easy to do!
Last weekend we shared the first of four 3D layered paper cut designs and so MANY of you made it … your photos really made my heart happy! As promised, we’re sharing the second one this weekend so you can continue your collection (there are four designs in total). These 3D layered paper cut art designs look complicated, but they are really so much easier than you’d think — you really just load your cutting mat with paper, cut, and stack each layer together. Seriously … it’s that easy! Come turn a short stack of paper into some pretty 3D layered cut art with us!
To inspire you to try this lovely layered design, here are just a few of the photos of the paper art you all made from last week’s design and posted in our (there are many more if you’d like to check our photos and get inspired!)
To make a 3D layered paper art crystal, all you need is at least 13 sheets of basic 12″ x 12″ white cardstock, one more sheet of 12″ x 12″ cardstock in a contrasting color, and a way to keep your layers together, like a frame. Of course, you don’t HAVE to use white cardstock — many people choose to use other colors, which looks really cool! The look of this design changes a lot based on what colors you used.
You don’t need to use any spacers between the layers — there are so many that the paper itself creates its own 3D look. But I do recommend you use foam core underneath the last layer to keep the paper in place inside your frame. If you don’t have a frame for your paper art, you could use spray adhesive on the back of each layer to keep it all attached instead.
We’ve designed four different FREE 3D layered paper cut patterns for you to try, and they’re all very easy! We’ve already released the flower, which you can find here. The other two will be released over the month of July. Here are all four of them together:
And here’s a closer look at all four of these framed beauties:
Today we’re releasing the beautiful crystal 3D layered paper cut art design — which I think looks a lot like a diamond! This pretty design has 14 layers.
Let me show you how easy it is to make this 3D layered paper art crystal diamond design! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read myfull disclosure policy.
Quick Links to Information in this Post
Materials to Make a 3D Layered Paper Art Crystal Diamond
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project!
- 80 lb. 12″ x 12″ cardstock, 14 sheets (I used 13 white and 1 green, but you can use any colors you wish!)
- Foam core (2 pieces of 10″ x 10″)
- 12″x12″ Shadowbox Frame
- XL Scraper (or a plastic store loyalty card)
- A cutting mat for your Cricut (green or blue works, just make sure it’s sticky!)
- Scissors to cut your foam core or foam mounting tape
- A ruler (helpful for lining things up)
- A way to cut your layers (I used the Cricut Maker cutting machine but they can also be cut on a Cricut Explore — you can even do a Cricut Joy if you resize things down)
- Design #229 (My free SVG design file available in my free resource library—get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Make a 3D Layered Paper Cut Art Crystal or Diamond
Yield: 1 Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes Difficulty: Easy Estimated Cost: $20 This tutorial shows you how to make my 3D layered paper cut CRYSTAL framed art project. First, download Design #229 which is my free paper art SVG/DXF/PDF. It is available from my free resource library. If you're going to cut it on your cutting machine, upload the file to your design software.This is what my the "crystal" file looks like in Cricut Design Space. Tip: If you're not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, here's how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app. Note: If you're going to cut this on a Cricut Joy, resize the entire design to about 4". This design contains 13 layers for the design plus one contrasting cardstock layer for the back. Each of the 13 layers takes approximately 5 minutes to cut. Measure the inside space of your frame and adjust the measurements of the design file to fit. The file is sized 10.5" x 10.5" which fits my shadowbox frame perfectly. Cut each layer of the design. I found it is helpful to put the finished layers in order as they are cut. I used my extra large scraper to remove paper pieces left on my mat from cutting the design. Once all paper layers are cut, gather your supplies for assembly. Make sure the cut cardstock layers are placed in the correct orientation. This is what your cut layers should look like with proper orientation. I found it helpful to put the layers in order as they are cut. Open the back of your frame. Insert the cardstock layers into the frame. Add the one contrast layer of cardstock. Add two layers of foam core cut slightly smaller than the inside of your frame to fill up the empty space so the cardstock does not slide around. If you are using a different frame than mine, add enough foam core so that the cut layers have no room to slide around. Place the back on the frame of your 3D layered paper art. Special thanks to the JenniferMaker Design Fairy Team, specifically Design Fairy Caitlin, for helping me design and assemble this beautiful framed art.
3D Layered Paper Cut Art Crystal (Series 2 of 4)
Materials
Tools
Instructions
STEP 1: Get my Layered Crystal Design
STEP 2: Cut the 3D Layered Paper Crystal Design
STEP 3: Assemble the 3D Layered Paper Art Design
STEP 4: Show it Off
You are now ready to hang your beautiful piece of artwork. This is what the monochromatic framed art looks like completely assembled.
Notes
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Answers to Your Questions About Making 3D Layered Paper Cut Designs
Q: Can I cut this design on my Cricut Joy?
A: Yes, it should be able to make it if you reduce it down in size once you upload it to Design Space. Just make sure it is under 4.25″ wide. If you’re unclear on how resize SVG designs, please see my resizing tutorial.
Q: How do I resize this in Design Space to fit my frame?
A: I have a blog post that explains How to Resize SVG Files in Cricut Design Space.
Q: Can you use 65 lb cardstock? Or a different weight of cardstock?
A: Yes, you can. Just make sure you choose the appropriate setting for your material.
Q: My blade gets dull while I’m cutting, is there anything I can do?
A: Your blade might not be getting dull, it might need to be cleaned. Take a look at my Cricut Blade Cutting Tips post for troubleshooting help. Here’s a video that shows how I clean my blade to keep it cutting nicely:
Get my free SVG files to make your own 3D Layered Paper Cut Crystal!
I cannot wait to see YOUR 3D layered paper cut design! Please share a photo in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
Want to remember this? Save this 3D Layered Paper Art Crystal tutorial to your favorite Pinterest Board
Jennifer
Jennifer Marx is a designer, an enthusiastic crafter, a lifelong teacher, and a proud overcomer of a variety of life's challenges. In her spare time she loves to play D&D and video games, garden, sew costumes, and go to Disney. She lives a full, happy life in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan with her partner Greg, her daughter Alexa, their two dogs, Hunter and Chloe, and their sassy orange cat, Butterscotch.
