Crafting is so much fun when you can use the products properly. Materials that are easy to find in the household and do not require any special processing make the crafting process easier and also suitable for beginners and children. Crafting with straws is a very inexpensive leisure activity that promotes creativity and, with a little skill, can produce artistic works.
Crafting with straws – 1 step: Insert the drinking straws into each other
The first step is how to fit them into each other so that a stable configuration is ultimately created. From a purely static point of view, the simple construction stands outtrianglesas really stable. This makes sense to build the desired figure out of constructive triangles.
form structures
It is crucial how the individual elements are inserted into each other. One option would be to cut a bit of the starch crosswise so that the tube fits easily into another one. Another variant would be to integrate a connecting element, which additionally stabilizes the structure created and enables complicated figures.
Make your own lampshade
You can make imaginative decorations out of drinking straws, although it is often impossible to tell that they are actually made from the cheap tubes. One idea of this kind is to make a decorative lampshade similar to the ones that have been popular lately - made of wire. For this you need around 36 straws, string (thin thread or embroidery thread) and some small decorative beads made of wood or plastic. In order to attach the lampshade to the ceiling, a suitable lamp suspension is also required.
The drinking straws used in our example have a length of 12 cm, which can vary depending on the size. You adjust the cords accordingly, but in principle 12 cords should each be at least 36 cm long, preferably 40-42 cm. Pull the string through the tube using a halved straw that has a slit at the front. Alternatively, use a large embroidery needle.
Follow the picture instructions step by step and first form triangles and then diamonds - there should be 6 in total. Tie the string tightly at the tip of each triangle and cut off the usual remainder.
Connect the diamonds together in the middle axis (as shown in the picture above with the dotted line). You are welcome to insert decorative beads made of wood or plastic between the elements. You should just pay attention to the right size so that you don't make the lampshade look 'heavy'.
After you have tied a row of diamonds, close the open edges at the top and bottomwith other straws. The result should be a closed chain that has a typical geometric structure of triangles. Now you should tie the chain together in a voluminous body.
Tie the ends of the chain together as shown in the picture:awithaandbwithb.Make sure that one end 'b' is left open. Tie in an even ring and fasten in the three horizontal axes. The resulting figure should be a little more closed at the top and a little more open at the bottom.
The lamp suspension will be fixed to the slightly smaller edge at the top, which is why it should be really stable. Additionally, attach them with straws across the board. The figure is closed and created very consistently. Tie tightly and cut off the excess string.
The drinking straws on the upper edge, which are marked with yellow and red dotted lines in the picture, stabilize the light lampshade construction made of straws. The lamp suspension is attached between the two yellow ones.
You attach the lamp suspension to the ceiling as normal and adjust the length according to your personal wishes. To give a 'metal' character to the homemade lampshade, spray the straws and the lamp holder with a suitable paint in silver, copper or gold. Please note that straws are made of plastic and some spray paints are not suitable for this.
Attach the lamp suspension to the created lampshade and mount a light bulb. Our styling type: since the lampshade appears very reduced and the light bulb is not covered, use one with an unusual design that will emphasize the individual character of the lamp even more.
DIY Vase
Nothing creates a happy atmosphere more than fresh flowers and colorful motifs. You can design two in one yourself using particularly inexpensive materials. Make a vase out of a tin can and decorate it with colorful paper straws. To fix the drinking straws you will need transparent hot glue.
First, clean the tin can of label residue and sand off the sharp edges at the opening. Then adjust the straws to the size of the tin can and cut part of them if necessary. Attach the drinking straws around the tin can using transparent hot glue.
Pull thin strips of transparent hot glue and attach the straws straight onto them so that no messy glue residue is visible. Do not press the straws too hard to avoid deforming them. Please also note that the vase is used purely decoratively and will not survive careful rinsing with water.
Make your own wall decorations with children
Straws are particularly suitable for crafts with children. The colorful patterns on the paper straws look very cheerful and the material can be described as child-friendly. A great idea is to easily make a monogram with a colorful grid. To do this you will need a template of the desired letter, construction paper, straws, pencil and scissors.
Use the template to draw the letter you want. Consider the appropriate size - this is where the picture frame in which the product will later be placed comes into question. Cut pieces from the straws that you will fit into the shape of the letter. Fix with suitable glue and after drying time place in picture frame.
*You can find the complete instructions for 'DIY lampshade made of straws'here
*the complete instructions for 'DIY Vase' can be foundhere
*You can find the complete instructions for 'Making a monogram with children'here
