# Paper-Craft Crystal Gem Lantern
## Overview
https://youtu.be/bwKRGhdijBA
Crystal Gems will always save the day!
Create a stunning paper craft crystal from laminated cellophane wrap. Add NeoPixels and watch it sparkle!
We've included two different build sizes in this tutorial -- one crystal large enough to house a Circuit Playground Express, and one with a single NeoPixel illuminating the crystal. This project can be run from a battery for cosplay applications (the crystal on Gandalf's staff perhaps?) or plugged in to the wall via USB for a more permanent installation.
We've also included a Steven Universe Warp-Pad 3D printable base, so your Crystal Gems can be displayed in style. The possibilities are endless!
## Large Crystals
This is a simpler build that requires no soldering -- the Circuit Playground fits inside the gem and provides all the light.
### Materials Needed
- Circuit Playground Express
- Iridescent Cellophane gift wrap (from the craft store)
- Laminating machine & two 3mm pouches
- Utility knife or Vinyl Cutting Machine & accessories
- Super glue
- 3D printer for the base
- Battery or USB cable for power
If you don't have a cutting machine or a laminating machine, you can [buy a pre-cut crystal gem kit here](https://www.etsy.com/shop/erinfirepixie).
### Circuit Playground Express
[Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 150mAh for a total of about 0.6 Wh. If you need a larger battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1317/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
## Smaller Crystals
This build is a little more complicated since you'll be soldering individual NeoPixels together to illuminate the crystal. You can make multiple crystals and string them together, and the NeoPixels will animate in concert with each other. It's fun to make multiple crystals in slightly different sizes to create a gorgeous sparkling art piece.
- Circuit Playground Express
- Individual NeoPixels (1 for each crystal)
- Soldering Iron & Accessories
- Iridescent Cellophane Gift Wrap (from the craft store)
- Laminating machine & 3mm pouches
- Wire or ribbon cable with 4 strands
- Utility knife or a Vinyl Cutting Machine & accessories
- Super glue
- Battery or USB cable for power
### Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4
[Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260)
What's a wearable project without LEDs? Our favorite part of the Flora platform is these tiny smart pixels. Designed specifically for wearables, these updated Flora NeoPixels have ultra-cool technology: these ultra-bright LEDs have a constant-current driver cooked right into the LED...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1260/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long
[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
For those who are fans of our silicone-covered wires, but are always looking to _up their wiring game_. We now have **Silicone Cover Ribbon cables!** These may look _a lot_ like
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3892/guides)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/paper-craft-crystal-gem-lantern/wiring-diagram.md)
## Featured Products
### Circuit Playground Express
[Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides)
### Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4
[Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel version 3 - Pack of 4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260)
What's a wearable project without LEDs? Our favorite part of the Flora platform is these tiny smart pixels. Designed specifically for wearables, these updated Flora NeoPixels have ultra-cool technology: these ultra-bright LEDs have a constant-current driver cooked right into the LED...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1260/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 150mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 150mAh for a total of about 0.6 Wh. If you need a larger battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1317)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1317/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long
[Silicone Cover Stranded-Core Ribbon Cable - 4 Wires 1 Meter Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
For those who are fans of our silicone-covered wires, but are always looking to _up their wiring game_. We now have **Silicone Cover Ribbon cables!** These may look _a lot_ like
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3892)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3892/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md)
- [CPX Mystery Dreidel](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-mystery-dreidel.md)
- [CPX Glowing Disembodied Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/cpx-glowing-disembodied-hand.md)
- [Using MCP23008 & MCP23017 with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-mcp23008-mcp23017-with-circuitpython.md)
- [3D Printed Dragon Lamp](https://learn.adafruit.com/dragon-lamp.md)
- [BOSEbuild Reactive Sound ](https://learn.adafruit.com/bosebuild-reactive-sound.md)
- [Jellyfish Umbrella with easy WLED WiFi Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/jellyfish-umbrella-with-easy-wled-wifi-control.md)
- [FruitBox Sequencer: Musically Delicious Step Pattern Generator ](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-fruitbox-sequencer-musically-delicious-step-pattern-generator.md)
- [3D Print Ratcatcher 2 Controller Device](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-print-ratcatcher-2-controller-device-wand.md)
- [Circuit Playground Express: Piano in the Key of Lime](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-piano-in-the-key-of-lime.md)
- [Make It Glow: How to Solder NeoPixels, A Beginner's Guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-glow-how-to-solder-neopixels-a-beginners-guide.md)
- [Pathfinder Robot Companion](https://learn.adafruit.com/pathfinder.md)
- [CircuitPython Powered AT Hand-Raiser](https://learn.adafruit.com/at-hand-raiser.md)
- [FLORAbrella](https://learn.adafruit.com/florabrella.md)
- [Anatomical 3D Printed Beating Heart with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/anatomical-3d-printed-beating-heart-with-makecode.md)
- [Mouse Painter: Emulate Mice with MakeCode ](https://learn.adafruit.com/mouse-painter-emulate-mice-with-makecode.md)