I have an extra special project to share with all of my music-loving friends today! Let your creative spirit soar as you strum this lovely 3D harp to life.
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After designing an extra special grand piano, I felt like it needed an equally elegant instrument to match. And so, this enchanting harp was born!
Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.
3D Harp
Materials
- Cardstock
- Hot Glue
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- Bone Folder optional
- Decorative Ribbon/Gems optional
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
Instructions
- Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of your 3D harp pieces.Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
Assembling the Structure of the Harp
- Start by taking your two largest white pieces and folding along the score lines. These two pieces will form the base and the wider side of the harp. Attach the bottom tab of the outside piece to the rectangular end of the other piece.Take your two white pieces that look like a slanted letter “L.” Add some glue to the tabs of your previous two pieces and attach your “L” pieces to each side.
- Next, take your two, thin, rectangular pieces and fold the long tabs inward. Take your piece that has a swoopy top and an angled rectangle attached to it. Use the tabs on the two rectangular pieces to glue them to the edges of the angled rectangle part of the other piece.With the rectangular strip that has all of the tiny tabs on the sides, fold all of the tabs inward. This strip also includes a score line near the center. One side of the strip will be slightly longer than the other (relative to the score line). Find the slightly longer side, and begin gluing the tabs to the perimeter of the swoopy, top harp piece.Work your way around the entire perimeter of the swoopy section, gluing a couple of tabs at a time until you reach the end.With all three of those rectangular strips attached to the perimeter of the top/thin side of your harp, attach the other flat, swoopy piece to the tabs on the opposite side.
Adding the Decorative Elements
- Piece your two main harp sections together by hot gluing the ends of the top/thin side to the base and top side of the other piece.Next, layer on your decorative elements, starting with the gold, “L” shaped pieces, then the gold swoopy pieces, and finishing with the bird.
- Gather the three pieces that you will need for the interior of the harp: two decorative strips and the set of “strings.” Attach the two decorative pieces to the strings using the tabs/slits provided. The tapered, triangular piece is to be attached to the flat side, and the small rectangle strip is meant to curve along the top edge.Once both decorative pieces are attached, add some glue to the outside and wriggle the whole thing into the center of your harp.Note: This project does end up being a little heavy on one side, and may tip over. If that is the case, add a magnet or another flat, but slightly weighty object, to the underside of the base.Add some decorative ribbon/gems around your harp, and your project is complete!
Notes
View the full-size tutorial photos below.
Supplies
- Cardstock
- Hot Glue
- Precision Craft Glue or a Glue Stick
- Bone Folder (optional)
- Decorative Ribbon/Gems (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of your 3D harp pieces.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending them through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! If you’re having trouble with the score lines, check out this video.
Assembling the Structure of the Harp
2. Start by taking your two largest white pieces and folding along the score lines. These two pieces will form the base and the wider side of the harp. Attach the bottom tab of the outside piece to the rectangular end of the other piece.
Take your two white pieces that look like a slanted letter “L.” Add some glue to the tabs of your previous two pieces and attach your “L” pieces to each side.
3. Next, take your two, thin, rectangular pieces and fold the long tabs inward. Take your piece that has a swoopy top and an angled rectangle attached to it. Use the tabs on the two rectangular pieces to glue them to the edges of the angled rectangle part of the other piece.
With the rectangular strip that has all of the tiny tabs on the sides, fold all of the tabs inward. This strip also includes a score line near the center. One side of the strip will be slightly longer than the other (relative to the score line). Find the slightly longer side, and begin gluing the tabs to the perimeter of the swoopy, top harp piece.
Work your way around the entire perimeter of the swoopy section, gluing a couple of tabs at a time until you reach the end.
With all three of those rectangular strips attached to the perimeter of the top/thin side of your harp, attach the other flat, swoopy piece to the tabs on the opposite side.
Adding the Decorative Elements
4. Piece your two main harp sections together by hot gluing the ends of the top/thin side to the base and top side of the other piece.
Next, layer on your decorative elements, starting with the gold, “L” shaped pieces, then the gold swoopy pieces, and finishing with the bird.
5. Gather the three pieces that you will need for the interior of the harp: two decorative strips and the set of “strings.” Attach the two decorative pieces to the strings using the tabs/slits provided. The tapered, triangular piece is to be attached to the flat side, and the small rectangle strip is meant to curve along the top edge.
Once both decorative pieces are attached, add some glue to the outside and wriggle the whole thing into the center of your harp.
Note: This project does end up being a little heavy on one side, and may tip over. If that is the case, add a magnet or another flat, but slightly weighty object, to the underside of the base.
Add some decorative ribbon/gems around your harp, and your project is complete!
Watch a short video of me putting this project together on Instagram.
I really wanted this harp to feel opulent and encapsulate a baroque style. And, when I was looking at images of harps, while sketching out my initial design, I noticed one that had a bird carved into it. I thought it looked absolutely beautiful, and decided that my paper, 3D harp would definitely need a bird as well. That motif, coupled with feathers and some subtle bird-patterned papers, and I’ve got myself a lovely instrument that looks like it could fly right into the heavens.
I use Adobe Illustrator for all my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other fun freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy making this 3D harp for yourself or for a friend! I’d love to see your results, so be sure to share them with me by either tagging me on Instagram or by sharing your work in my Facebook Group.
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 4 Comments on 3D Harp – Intricate Cut Files
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auntie em
August 16, 2023 at 7:13 am (4 months ago)Your beautiful harp is so elegant and detailed. Love the addition of the golden vine and the feather. I can almost hear the lovely concert.
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Mandee
August 16, 2023 at 11:08 am (4 months ago)Aww, thanks Auntie Em! I wasn’t sure about the feathers at first; but, in the end, I just couldn’t resist!
Helen J Roberts
August 16, 2023 at 7:35 am (4 months ago)Another gorgeous file! This goes perfectly with the piano. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us.
Mandee
August 16, 2023 at 11:09 am (4 months ago)Thanks Helen! Yes, I really wanted it to match the aesthetics of the piano. I’m so glad you noticed! ☺️