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Making twig stars is an easy primitive craft project that is both adorable and versatile. You can make twig stars in any size you like. They don’t have to be–and can’t be!–perfect. (They’re perfectly imperfect.) And you can do so many things with them. String them together vertically to hang on a wall. String them horizontally in a swag (over a doorway or window). Add them to wreaths. Use them as gift tags–or, my favorite thing to do with them–hang them on the Christmas tree. They’re free if you leave them natural, or very, very inexpensive if you use spray paint and glitter. (As good as free if you happen to already have some spray paint and glitter onhand.)
To make twig stars you need: Twigs, glue, spray paint, and glitter. (The spray paint and glitter are optional.)
Keep in mind that the larger the stars, the more difficult it is to hold them together. A hot glue gun works best if you’re making larger stars. Actually, a hot glue gun works best for any size, but if you don’t have one, you’ll find it easier to make smaller stars.
I used to make much larger ones and hang them on the porch as part of my holiday decorations, but I lost my hot glue gun a while back, so this year I only made little twig stars to hang on the tree. I used regular all-purpose craft glue.
To get started, I collected a basketful of twigs out around the chicken house.
It’s been raining, so I collected the twigs in the morning then set them out to dry near the wood stove (to speed things along). Make sure your twigs are completely dry before using. You need five twigs of equal length for each star. They don’t have to be perfectly straight–curvy twigs make neat stars, too.
Placing the twigs on a sheet of waxed paper, put a dab of glue on each point as you add one twig at a time to shape your star.
It’s a messy business.
While the stars were drying, I was busy making cookie dough for gingerbread men and sugar cookie stars, also for my Christmas tree.
I got popcorn popped for the garlands, and dried orange slices.
We’ll be putting up our tree soon–time to get ready!
Before each star is completely dry, carefully move it slightly to keep it from sticking to the waxed paper.
When the glue is completely dry, you’re ready to play with your twig stars! Take them outside and lay them on newspaper to spray paint them whatever color you like. You can sprinkle glitter over them before the paint dries. Or leave the stars natural. (I made mine natural this year, but I’ve painted them in the past. Depends on my mood!) This is a great craft project to do with kids because you can get them involved in the whole process (unless you’re using a hot glue gun), from collecting the twigs to tossing glitter.
Stores will have Christmas decorations on sale in a few weeks, but woodland shopping is always free–and always better! Go get some twigs!
P.S. Check out all the homemade gift basket ideas here.
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on December 10, 2009
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Meaning if this snow melts maybe I can still find some twigs in the yard to make these for my little tree.
Love Your Simple~Frugal~Sustainable Craft projects.
~~HUGS~~
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How cute..I want some stars too..When does your family put up the tree? I bet it will be beautiful. Please post picture for us.
Hugs Granny Trace’
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I have one like that or very similar that belonged to my mother. She used it all the time for mixing cookies, etc. Very vivid childhood memories go with that bowl…I cherish my yellow mixing bowl!!
“Thank you” for a wonderful blog post and “Happy Holidays!”
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Yesterday’s post was such an uplifting experience with all of the comments that I have a challenge to issue to all of your readers. I know times are tough this year, and no matter what our circumstances there is always someone in a worse situation.
I would like to challenge all of Suzanne’s readers to put the spirit of Christmas into action and figure out some way to give to someone else in need this Christmas.
It doesn’t have to be monetary. Volunteer a couple of hours babysitting so some young family has time to Christmas shop, make a homemade card and give to an elderly person in your neighborhood who will be alone on Christmas, take your children to the local nursing home and just go by and visit or sign carols for the residents, if you have the extra cash bake something for someone and take a little pressure of their holiday prep, volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen, clean out your closets and take the clothes to a nearby goodwill or church shelter,
Simply, put a smile on your face and wish everyone you see each day a Merry Christmas. There are a multitude of things you can do for your fellow man that costs nothing more than your time and you will reap so much in return. To give of yourself to those who need the uplifting is truly one of the best Christmas gifts you can give.
The opportunities to give of ourselves are endless.
On the elderly subject…..my parents are 92 and 78 and live within spitting distance of me but they treasure what time I can spend with them. I know many elderly people who have no money, no family, and no one to just listen to them talk about yesteryear….it doesn’t take much to make their holiday bright.just give of your time……and if you have small children..even better. They love children.
I challenge you to give yourself the gift of selflessness this chistmas and make someone else’s day.
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I love the stars, I think I will do a big star out of larger branch peices and then trim it with a bunch of smaller stars and put it on the mantel along with the pine, scatter a few more among the pine and add some to the tree along with the raffia bows, tiny baskets and faux apples. I also made calico hearts in 1963 out of scraps that were given to me, and I still hang them on the tree those hearts are so dear to me, probably one of my most favorite decorations.I spent hours making them and stuffing them with cotton balls–seems like yesterday. Home made decorations are the best.
We have a light snow here this morning and it is cold and windy–It is perfect! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!
Am starting cookies on Monday!!
JO
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Suzanne–I forgot to ask, do you put the garland out for the birds and or chickens after christmas?
JO
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Suzanne I have tried two times to email you my address and my server keeps throwing my email out! My computer wizard husband is not here to figure out the problem!! The last time I sent you an email it kept popping up some email service that my computer would not acknowledge and David had to solve that one!
I can not send you my mailing address right now! OH GOSH! I will keep trying but I might have to wait until David gets home tonight to send it…if he can figure out our problem.
I love the stick angels and I’m going to make some for our tree. I sent this to my daughter so she can make some too.
Deb
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My email service is doing an upgrade and my email is affected. In coming emails may be affected as well. I just saw in my out going email 2 messages…so darling Suzanne sometime soon you will receive 2 emails from me…LOL
I just saw the message from my email server from last week as I was fiddling around in the innards of my email thingy! hahahaha
I could just post my address here…but this is one the world wide web! The email said incoming may be delayed, not that they would not arrive. This could be days of me not being able to send email…I will surely just die! LOL
Deb
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I really need David to show me more indepth stuff about using this computer.
Deb
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And those who say “there are no coincidences” are not surprised that Sara won a BBB!! 8-) Merry Christmas all.
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Beth aka oneoldgoat
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In rural Kentucky I’ve seen large stars on barns, but they were made from tobacco sticks, tied with twine at the points. They look really cool, and could be made the same way.
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I used to make bread dough ornaments, but these are so much easier (and not nearly as heavy)!
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That movie scared the crap out of me.
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This is if I hold my breath just right, all the stars come into perfect alignment and mom’s Alzheimer’s episodes give me a break
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You are a such a resourceful person, and a great instructor. Love your writing, sense of humor, your farm, and all those adorable animals.
We live on a farm in upstate NY. No dairy herd since 2000, sad to say. Just a bunch of sweet cats and plenty of wildlife. We love it! It’s a winter wonderland outside today – snowing and blowing wildly. We woke up to about 5 inches of snow yesterday.
These stars are wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks!
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Our first Christmas tree was a little artificial one that sat on a table. We were college students and had almost no money. I think the tree cost $1.00 (1957), we had no decorations for it. I bought a roll of assorted fruit flavored Life Savers (different colors in the roll) and tied them on the little tree individually with black sewing thread. I thought the black thread would not show up very much. It worked and if light happened to go through the candy it was pretty. I sat it under the table lamp.
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Country girls with creativity are a National Treasure. Personally, I think Miss Suzanne is such a treasure and should be declared so by the government. Women like her are to be encouraged.
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bellcarol
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we have a baby goat as of Feb. 6….I’m on facebook and billybob has his photos there now along with Lillian & Billion born Christmas day. Done with preggie goats and i am glad.
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