Welcome to another Wacky Workshops project – stick art.

There are so many wonderful things you can create using the sticks you find in your yard – or even in a park if you live in an apartment. Did you read my post, Making These Fairy Furniture Projects is a Walk in the Park?

Crafts involving nature are a great way to boost imagination for kids – also yourself – and help them become really aware of nature’s beauty and its ability to give us all the tools we need to make beautiful art.

Consider the natural dyes that have been used in painting for thousands of years.

While it’s always fun to play around with a new art set or creative kit, designing your own creations with the bounty of nature truly enhances creative thinking.

More than that, it is really cheap and accessible to anyone, regardless of budget.

This week I’m sharing five fun projects using sticks and a few other supplies.

This week’s projects include a funky stick mirror, stick frame, stick collage, a stick vase and a cute little fairy treehouse.

STICK MIRROR

LET’S GET STARTED

SUPPLIES

• Small, round handheld mirror
• Craft Glue
• Sticks

METHOD

• Ensure your sticks are about the same thickness and have more than you need to fit around the circumference of the mirror.
• Break the sticks so they are relatively the same length. A little variation in length adds to the interest.
• Add craft glue to the outside edge of the mirror – about 4 cm (1 ½ inch) in towards the centre and carefully place your sticks, thick side down, onto the glue.
• Add layers of sticks as necessary to ensure there are no gaps.

These little mirrors look great anywhere but are particularly cute as an outside decoration. I have mine on the deck and it reflects the garden beyond.

STICKS FRAME

Do you have an old ugly frame you want to improve? This is the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade an old frame. You could use any wooden or plastic frame.

I chose an old plastic frame that is chipped.

I have seen these done before – very neatly, but I prefer a more rustic look that comes with having slightly different stick lengths, thicknesses, and curves. If you want the really neat version, ensure all your sticks are really straight and the same thickness.

SUPPLIES

• Old picture frame
• Craft Glue
• Sticks – the straighter the easier
• Raffia (optional)

METHOD

• Give your frame a good clean then cover the outside with craft glue.
• Place your sticks along the sides of the frame, following the direction of the fame – horizontally for the top and bottom, vertically for the sides.
• Keep layering the sticks until you have filled the gaps. Don’t try to get too perfect with this, it looks more natural if it’s not super tidy.
• Decorate with a bit of raffia if desired.

STICKS COLLAGE

This one is good fun to do with the kids and great for their creativity.

SUPPLIES

• Paper or cardboard – cardboard will hold heavier items better.
• An assortment of nature pods, sticks, leaves.
• Pebbles
• Craft Glue

METHOD

• As glue sticks will not work to hold these materials in place it is a good idea to help little ones with the craft glue.
• Often, when I’m trying to encourage creativity, I will sit with them and make my own picture to kick-start their own thinking.

The tiny pebbles can be used as the ground, or for hair.

The sticks can become people or trees.

The leaves can become hair or clothing.

The possibilities are limitless.

STICK VASE

Same note as for the frame. If you want a super neat finish you need to have sticks that are really straight and all the same thickness.

SUPPLIES

• Tin can
• Craft Glue
• Sticks
• Rubber band
• Rope or ribbon (optional)

METHOD

• Ensure your tin can is clean.
• Break the sticks so that they are about 4 cm (1 ½ inches) longer than the can is tall.
• Cover the outside of the tin with glue.
• Place the sticks vertically on the tin so that the thickest ends are at the bottom.
• Use the rubber band to keep the sticks in place while the glue dries.
• Add more layers of sticks as necessary to ensure there are no gaps.
• Finish off with a rope or ribbon bow if desired.

HOUSE OF STICKS – FAIRY TREEHOUSE

SUPPLIES

• I was lucky enough to have some small wooden tea boxes I’d been given years ago but a regular margarine container or similar would work.
• Craft Glue
• Sticks

METHOD

• If you’re like me and can’t stand the thought of putting a nail in a tree, then it’s a good idea to work out how you plan to attach the house first.
• I used nylon stockings to tie the house around the tree. If you decided to do this, make some holes in the bottom of your container (which will be the back ‘wall’ that sits up against the tree, to thread the nylon through.
• Cover all sides of the container with glue and then the sticks – leave the bottom of the container clear.
• Attach the house to the tree with the bottom of the container resting against it.

I hope you enjoyed these craft projects. If you did, be sure and let me know in the comments. Why not check out my post, Pressed Flowers – It’s Easy, for more ideas on how to make new art with nature? You can find even more ideas at Inspired By Nature on Pinterest and check out this great tutorial to make twig chairs.

Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria.