How to make a DIY paper fortune teller

If you’ve met me in person, you probably think of me as an extrovert. I’ll happily get on a stage and tell an embarrassing story without thinking twice. BUT I’m actually introverted in many ways. I was listening to Elise Blaha Cripe on Tiffany Han’s (both Craftcation 2015 presenters) podcast Raise Your Hand Say Yes the other day and I totally related to the way she explained her own introvert tendencies when she talked about how before a social gathering she entertains thoughts of unlikely disasters that would prevent her from going. Once I get to the event I usually have fun but a bit of social anxiety kicks in when I have to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Nine times out of 10 the conversation proves that taking a risk and connecting with another human is totally worth it, especially when I’m at a creative conference like Craftcation.

When you’re in a space filled with like-minded people the odds that you’ll meet someone you connect with are high. BUT you still have to take that risk and put yourself out there. Craftcation presenter Rachel Mae Smith from The Crafted Life wrote the sweetest recap of her experience at Craftcation 2015. (If you missed Craftcation this year you can check out all the awesomeness on social media with our hashtag #craftcation15). Rachel rounded up her top 10 reasons you should attend Craftcation and #1 was the people. Delilah and I often talk about how lucky we are that Craftcation attracts such creative, talented, sharing, smart open individuals (Rachel, Tiffany and Elise are three of them).

So, before this Craftcation 2015 I drew on memories of making friends easily when I was young and came up with this crafty icebreaker that we gave to everyone at the Craftcation opening dinner hoping that while attendees created these fortune tellers conversations would happen. AND… they did!

These fortune tellers are perfect simple crafty icebreakers for your next get-together or a great way to get creative with your kids. I took mine beyond the pen and ink version that I made when I was a kid and got creative with some Scotch Expressions washi tape, Sakura gel pens and Koi markers.

-Nicole S.

WHAT TO GET:

-Piece of paper

-Markers (We love these ones)

-Pen

-Scissors (We love these ones)

Optional: Patterned paper, typewriter and washi tape

WHAT TO DO:

Click Here to download the template for the fortune teller or follow the directions below.

To make the fortune teller:
1. Get a square piece of paper.
2. Fold the paper in half (corner to corner) so that it becomes a triangle.
3. Fold the paper in half again (corner to corner) so that it becomes a smaller triangle.
4. Open up the square. You should have creases (marked in the drawings by a dotted line) from your folds that make an ‘x’. Fold the lower left hand corner in so that the point is in the center of the square.
5. Repeat step 4 for the other corners so that all the points come together in the center of the square.
6. Flip the square over. You should have creases from your folds that divide the square into four squares. Fold the lower left hand corner in so that the point is in the center of the square (like you did for step 5).
7. Repeat step 6 for the other corners so that all the points come together in the center of the square.

8. On the side with four squares write the name of color in each square. On the side with triangles write a number in each triangle.

9. Open it by folding out each side and write a fortune in each of the eight triangles that correspond with the numbers. Then fold the corners back in to the center like you did in step 6-7. Feel free to fancy up your fortune teller with washi tape + markers!

10. Push the four corners of the square into the center.
11. Pull out the flaps. Then slide your fingers into the flaps and push them in and out.

To tell a fortune:
12. Ask someone to pick a color then move the fortune teller in and out for each letter of the color ie: blue, you
would move it four times.
13. Now ask them to pick a number and then move the fortune teller in and out according to the number they choose.
You can repeat this a few more times if you’d like.
14. Now ask them to pick a number and unfold the fortune teller to reveal the fortune that corresponds to the number they choose.