Glowing Pinwheel

If your paper is decorated, flip it over to work on the plain side.

With the pencil and ruler, draw two diagonal lines from corner to corner. Then measure three inches from each corner and mark that point on each line. Using scissors, cut along each diagonal line down to each mark. Going clockwise, label each pinwheel section lightly with a pencil as A, B, C, and D, as shown. You can erase the letters later.

Place a line of copper tape from the outside edge of section A to the outside edge of section D. Bend the tape in the center of the pinwheel, since the tape needs to be in one piece. Snip at the end. Repeat by placing a second line of copper tape along the outside edges of sections B and C. Don’t let the two lines of tape touch in the center of the pinwheel.

Using scissors, cut three scraps of cardstock, each about 1/4″ x 1/2″. These serve as “bridges” to keep crossing copper lines from touching (which would short out the circuit).

Using the hot-glue gun, glue one cardstock bridge on the D line near the center of the pinwheel, and glue a second cardstock bridge on the B line near the center of the pinwheel, as shown. (It’s okay to glue on top of the copper tape.) The bridges should completely cover the copper tape lines.

Place two more lines of copper tape; each should be about 1/4″ apart from the previous lines. Starting in section D, place one line of copper tape next to and along the inside edge of the previous line of tape, then continue over line D’s cardstock bridge and into section C, continuing to the edge of the pinwheel. Make sure the copper tape goes over the cardstock bridge and doesn’t touch the previous lines.

Repeat with another line of copper tape and the remaining two sections. Starting in section B, place a line of copper tape next to and along the inside edge of the previous line of tape, continue over line B’s cardstock bridge, and go into section A to the edge of the pinwheel.

Using scissors, cut a piece of copper tape 8″ long. Lay about 2″ of it across the center of the pinwheel, so that it lays right on top of the negative (-) lead in section A and connects to the negative (-) lead in section B (the negative leads are the lines running under the bridges). With the remaining 6″ of copper tape, fold it over on itself to make a 3″ tab. Remember to stick the copper tape down tight to make a good connection.

Using the hot-glue gun, glue the third cardstock bridge at the base of the 3″ tab so that the bridge also covers the adjacent section of the negative (-) lead near the base of section C, as shown. The bridge must cover both the tab and the negative (-) lead.

Using scissors, cut another 8″ strip of copper tape. Lay about 2″ of it across the center of the pinwheel, so it sits right on top of the positive (+) lead in section B, crosses over the bridge you placed in step 5, and connects to the positive (+) lead in section C (this positive leads are the lines that run over the bridges). With the remaining 6″ of copper tape, fold it over on itself to make a 3″ tab. As always, make sure the copper tape is stuck down tight!

Using scissors, cut a piece of cardstock about 1″ x 3″ and fold it in half. Trace the battery on each side, marking one circle with a plus (+) sign and the other with a minus (-) sign, as shown. Using transparent tape, tape a neodymium magnet into the center of each circle (make sure the magnets attract!). The magnets will keep the battery in place, but allow you to remove it whenever you want.

Set the battery holder in the center of the pinwheel, negative (-) side down. Fold the copper tab from the negative (-) lead onto the negative (-) side of the battery holder, as shown (trim the tab as needed). Secure the tab with a small piece of copper tape. Then use transparent tape to secure the negative (-) side of the battery holder to the pinwheel.

Using scissors, cut three cardstock circles, each about 1″ in diameter. Using transparent tape, tape the third magnet to one circle, stick the pin of the pin clasp through the second (save the pin back), and leave the third plain.

Test the circle with the magnet to make sure the magnet attracts to the battery holder by placing the magnet side to the outside of the holder. If it doesn’t attract, reverse the battery on the circle. Then gently bend each unused corner of the pinwheel toward the center of the pinwheel, and with the hot-glue gun, glue each corner to the back of the circle with the magnet. Once the glue is dry, glue the plain circle on top to hide the assembly. Once done, the magnets will hold the pinwheel together, while still allowing access to the battery.

Once the pinwheel is assembled, place one circuit-sticker LED on each pinwheel blade so it connects the two copper-tape leads. The pointy, negative (-) side of each sticker goes on the outside edge of each blade; the fat, positive (+) side of each sticker goes on the inner line of copper tape.

Finally, using the hot-glue gun, glue the circle with the pin to the back of the pinwheel in the center. Poke the pin through the straw, and secure it with the pin back.

Et voila!