A collection of handmade ema ideas: easy crafts perfect for New Year’s

An ema (wooden plaque) with a horse design on which you can write your wishes

Ema ornament where you can also write your wishes ✏️

Let’s handcraft a horse-shaped ema plaque where you can write and hang your wishes.

First, cut thick paper into the shape of an ema and cover it with colored construction paper.

Then, cut out a horse’s profile from colored paper as well, and attach a coffee filter to the back to create the mane.

By making fine slits in the round part of the filter and gently brushing it, you can mimic the texture of hair.

Glue the horse onto the ema, add an eye and a floral decoration, and you’re done.

Punch a hole, thread a string through, write your wish on the back of the ema, and display it.

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Ema plaque with an origami horse

It’s an eye-catching ema that incorporates an origami horse into the design.

It’s very easy to make, so it’s great for a winter break craft time! First, cut construction paper into the shape of an ema, then make the horse with origami.

Fold the origami paper into a triangle and fold down the top corner about 2 cm.

This will be the nose, so fold just the top layer you folded down back to the reverse side so the white side shows.

Next, flip the origami top-to-bottom and fold up the left and right corners to make the ears.

Fold the corners on both sides of the ears inward to slim the shape, then tuck in the nose corner to round it off, and you’re done.

Draw in the eyes, paste the horse onto the ema, and finish by sprinkling flower decorations.

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Stable-style ema (wooden votive plaque)

Here’s a cute idea: decorate an ema (votive plaque) as if it were a horse stable.

Even children who aren’t familiar with ema will likely enjoy this.

First, cut out from construction paper the base ema shape, the stable’s roof, windows, and door, as well as pieces like a horse and flowers—everything you’ll need.

Once you’ve cut them out, glue the stable parts onto the base, then decorate it adorably and brightly with the horse and flowers.

Finally, attach a pipe-cleaner ribbon, write your wish, and it’s complete! If you want to capture your child’s growth, we recommend adding a handprint or footprint on the back of the ema.

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Horse ema made from a single sheet of origami paper

[Origami Original] Ema Charm Edition — Horse, Year of the Horse, 2026, origami, New Year’s card, the Twelve Zodiac Animals, single sheet, horse

Easy to try! Here are handmade ema ideas perfect for the Year of the Horse.

In this idea, you’ll use just a single sheet of origami paper to create both the ema plaque and the decorative horse.

The finished piece is palm-sized, so if you want a standard ema size, please use a larger sheet of origami paper.

Once you’ve finished making the creases, cut along the fold lines with scissors to separate the ema and the horse, then fold each part.

The horse has a few fine details, so proceed carefully, one step at a time.

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[Resin] Ema-shaped amulet

Resin ♡ Certain Victory!! How to Make an Ema Amulet – Easy – Hidden Workshop GreenOcean resin DIY

Why not try making an ema (votive plaque) using resin? There’s an ema-shaped mold available, which makes the process easy.

After making the base with the mold, place the characters for “certain victory” (必勝) on top, cure it, and decorate with cherry blossom parts.

You can make this idea in any color you like, and it’s easy to customize by mixing in glitter or sequins.

You could also use the characters for “success” (合格) instead of “certain victory” to create a supportive item for students taking exams.

The materials are easy to purchase from online shops, so give it a try!

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Ema made with interlocking mats

Mini ema made with that #diy

Let’s make handmade ema plaques using interlocking foam mats, which also help prevent injuries for children.

Simply cut the mat into the shape of an ema and attach a yarn daruma to finish.

For the daruma, wrap yarn around your fingers to make a loop, tie it in the middle, and stick it onto the ema with double-sided tape.

Then cut the looped ends with scissors and trim it into a round shape.

Make the face and patterns with felt.

Draw the daruma’s facial features with a pen, twist red and white chenille stems to make a cord, and thread it through a hole punched in the mat—and you’re done!

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Ema made from an envelope

Cute origami decorations for an easy envelope-made Ema (with audio commentary) — How to make paper decorations for a Japanese Ema

Many people probably keep brown envelopes at home since they’re useful in many situations.

In this idea, we’ll use a brown envelope to make an ema (a wooden votive plaque).

Fold the flap of the envelope diagonally, cut off the excess, then unfold it flat to create the ema shape.

For decorations like flowers and Mt.

Fuji, cut out parts from origami or construction paper and assemble them.

After arranging and gluing the decorations to design your ema, punch a hole at the top and thread a string to finish.

It’s a simple and lovely craft idea that anyone—from children to seniors—can try.

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