King David

I've always connected with King David in the Bible. Of course, I was named after him, but I feel a deeper connection than the name. I resonate with his emotions; his moments of desperation, of longing, of joy. I connect with his bravery in the face of a giant, and his human weakness with Bathsheba. 

I connect with his humanity, and the love God had for him in spite of and because of it. 

I've been really into making paper crowns lately (see another one that I made for Etsy here). I like the idea of wearing a crown, not because of its implied superiority, but because it is distinct. It's like a reminder to the world that I am somebody, just like all of us are somebodies. 

We are special precisely because we are who we are. Sometimes, it's good to remind yourself and others of that -- even if it's by wearing a woven paper crown.

Here's how you can make one. First, you will need the following supplies:

• A paper cutter or pair of scissors
• A few sheets of 8 ½ x 11 paper - I used Stardream Gold from Paper Source.
• Modge Podge or some other strong adhesive
• A ruler
• A pencil
• A bone folder

1). Fold one sheet of paper in half horizontally, then cut or tear them in half. 

I cut three pieces to match the circumference of my head. It would be best to measure your head first to determine how many pieces you will need. Please also include a ½ inch seam allowance in your measurement.

2). Fold each of your cut paper pieces in half horizontally.

3). With your ruler and a pencil, draw a ½ inch line from the bottom edge of each of your folded paper
pieces.

4). With your ruler and pencil, draw vertical lines ½ inch apart from the top of your folded paper pieces to the vertical line you drew in the previous step, from edge to edge.

5). You will now need to glue your paper pieces together. Apply glue from the edge of one of your paper pieces to its first ½ inch vertical line you created, then place another paper piece on top, being careful to stay within this seam allowance.

Do this until all three are joined together.

6). With a paper cutter or scissors, cut directly on each vertical ½ inch mark you created, stopping at the horizontal ½ inch mark. Be careful to not cut your paper all the way. This is your crown base.

7). Lay your crown base off to the side. Now, cut paper strips that are ½ inch wide and at least 8 inches in length.

8). Glue your paper strips together until they are about 4 inches longer than your crown base. You will need about 5 or 6 of these long strips for your crown.

9). Now comes the weaving part! Insert one end of your paper strip into your crown base.

10). Then, pull it over the second cut strip, then through the third one. Repeat this pattern (over and through) until you reach the end.

11). Cut off the end and fold it inside your paper base. Glue the end to the paper base to keep it secure.

12). Repeat this step until you reach the top of your paper base. You can glue the bottom of your paper base closed, if you’d like. I didn’t find this necessary, though.

13). Wrap your crown around your head to determine where you can glue it closed comfortably. Mark the appropriate end point with a pencil.

14). Apply glue to the end of your crown to close it.

15). ..and you’re done. You now have a wonderfully woven paper crown!