Drinking Straw Crafts

Crafting does not need to be expensive. Many projects can be created using things you use everyday. A package of plastic drinking straws can be purchased for a few dollars, enabling you to craft many beautiful items. Drinking straws come in many colors or in standard stripes, and can be a standard size or a thin juice size. Theses humble straws can be used for kid crafting or for more sophisticated creations. Gather supplies for a crafting evening with your family and use your imaginations to design unexpected decorations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic drinking straws, standard size
• Ruler
• Scissors
• 2-inch Styrofoam ball
• Paper clip
• Wire cutters
• Craft glue
• 1/8 inch wide white satin ribbon, 8 inches
• Spray glue adhesive
• Crystal or white glitter
• Lightweight cardboard
• Wrapping paper, wallpaper, scrapbook paper or magazine pages
• Plastic drinking straws, thin juice size
• Beading cord
• Pony beads

Star Burst Straw Ornament

1. Cut approximately 20 standard size drinking straws into 2-inch pieces. On straws that have an adjustable bend, you will want to cut that part away. Unbend half of a metal paper clip so that there is a hook on each end. Cut the paper clip in half, using wire cutters, leaving you with two hooks. Apply craft glue to the cut ends of one paper clip hook and insert into a 2-inch Styrofoam ball. Leave a 1/4 inch of the bend exposed. This is your loop for a hanger.

2. Apply craft glue to one end of the straw pieces and insert them into the ball, approximately a 1/4 inch deep and a 1/2 inch apart. Continue until the whole ball is covered.

3. Thread the 8-inch piece of 1/8 inch wide ribbon through the hanger loop. Bring the ends together and tie them in an overhand knot to create the ornament hanger.

4. Hold the ornament by the hanger and spray with the spray glue adhesive. You may want to do this outside to avoid over spray. Sprinkle the entire star burst straw ornament with glitter and allow to dry.

Paper Wrapped Straw Bead Necklace

5. Measure and cut a 2 inch long triangle with a 1/2-inch base from lightweight cardboard. Trace this triangle pattern on the back of the paper of your choice and cut out. You will need a triangle for each bead.

6. Apply craft glue to the back side of the 1/2-inch end of a paper triangle. Lay a thin juice straw in the glue. Roll the straw, rolling the paper triangle around the straw. Apply craft glue to the back side point of the triangle and finish rolling. Cut the straw ends that extend from the rolled triangle, creating a bead. Continue until you have the amount of beads desired.

7. Cut a piece of cording 30 inches long. String the paper wrapper straw beads and pony beads in a pattern of your choice. Put on as many or as few as you would like, but leave 2 inches of cord on each end. Bring the ends together and tie in a knot to finish.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, Craft and Interior Designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kansas