How to Make Bamboo Crafts
Bamboo is a fast growing plant that is virtually indestructible. Once cut and dried, bamboo can be used to create crafts appropriate for outside and inside the home. You should easily find most of the needed supplies at a craft store, but may find difficulty locating bamboo stalks; search at local nurseries and home centers or consider asking friends and neighbors if you may remove some bamboo from their yards.
Mason bees, also known as carpenter bees, do not normally construct beehives, yet they need a place to stay. Create a bamboo beehive with a few simple items.
Bamboo candles are simple to create, and may bring a tropical or serene feeling to your home.
Bamboo fountain pens are a simple craft, and make great gifts for those who enjoy calligraphy or writing with traditional fountain pens.
Things You'll Need
- Bamboo stalks
- Handsaw
- Drill
- Waxed twine
- Candle wax
- Double boiler
- Wick
- Scissors
- Knife
- Ink
Instructions
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Bamboo Beehive
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1
Cut bamboo stalks to about 6 inches in length, until you have between eight and 12 pieces.
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2
Drill holes into the center stalks to hallow out the bamboo.
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3
Bind the bamboo stalks together in a circular shape with waxed twine.
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4
Place the bamboo beehive in a sheltered yet sunny location, such as a tree branch, near where mason bees congregate.
Bamboo Candles
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5
Cut bamboo stalks about 2 inches above the bamboo section. Vary the candles by cutting stalks of different sizes and heights. Set aside.
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6
Melt candle wax in a double boiler, according to manufacturer's instructions, and carefully pour into the top of the bamboo stalk. Do not overfill.
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7
Insert a candle wick into the wax and allow to cool for four to five hours.
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8
Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch high. Refill the candles as necessary.
Bamboo Pen
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9
Select a narrow piece of bamboo, about the diameter of a pen or pencil. Fresh bamboo should be set out in the sun for several days in order to dry; commercially purchased bamboo will be ready to cut immediately.
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10
Cut the bamboo at about a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife. Discard the excess stalk, and carve finer details until you have a teardrop shape. (See Resources for detailed pictures.)
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11
Hollow out the center of the bamboo so you have a reservoir for the ink.
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12
Square off the tip and create a fine yet crisp line. Then cut the tip of the pen upward, to allow the ink to travel inside the bamboo shaft.
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13
Dip the pen in ink and test the pen. If you are unhappy with the width, adjust the pen by re-cutting and whittling until you are pleased with the results.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Select bamboo stalks wider than 3 inches in diameter to reduce the likelihood of the stalk catching on fire from a lighted candle.
If you are uncomfortable working with melting wax, place a tea-light candle inside the bamboo stalk or trim a smaller candle to appropriate size.
Ink will naturally soak up into the fibers of the bamboo pen; you may have to re-dip into ink more frequently than with traditional fountain pens.
Take care when whittling the bamboo pen; remember to always cut away from your body.
