Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Bamboo poles
Miter saw
Rubber bands
Recycled food can
Straw raffia
Scissors
Drill and 1 1/2-inch drill bit
Sandpaper
Rectangle-shaped wooden tray
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Craft glue
Make bamboo products to add a natural element to your home's decor. Bamboo grows in a variety of locations, but if it is not readily available in your area, it can be found at local garden centers, as it is commonly used in landscapes and vegetable gardens. Bamboo poles are hollow between each joint and come in many different thicknesses. Bamboo is easy to cut and its natural sheen allows you to make bamboo accessories to coordinate with many decor styles.
Bamboo Vases
Step 1
Measure and cut 8-inch lengths from a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick bamboo pole using a miter saw. A miter saw will provide a clean cut with the least amount of splintering. The number of lengths you will need depends on the size of the can you plan to use for your vase and the thickness of each bamboo length.
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Step 2
Wrap one rubber band around a recycled food can 1 inch from the bottom edge, and another rubber band 1 inch from the top edge. Stand the can on its bottom end.
Step 3
Insert a cut bamboo length, vertically, under the rubber bands. Stand one end of the bamboo on the table and allow the top end to extend past the top of the can. Insert additional bamboo lengths under the rubber band until the you have surrounded the entire can.
Step 4
Cut 15, 18-inch lengths of straw raffia. Separate the raffia into three bundles of five lengths. Wrap one bundle around the can, covering one of the rubber bands. Tie the ends into a knot to secure. Cut the ends to 1 inch long. Wrap and tie another bundle around the can, covering the other rubber band. Wrap and tie the last bundle of raffia around the bamboo 1 inch above the top rubber band.
Bamboo Napkin Rings
Step 1
Measure and cut 2-inch lengths from a 2-inch thick bamboo pole using a miter saw. Cut a length for each napkin ring you plan to make.
Step 2
Open the inside of the rings that have joints. Lengths with joints in them will have fibers that close the inside of the ring. Insert the end of a 1 1/2-inch drill bit inside one end of a ring. Drill through to the other end.
Step 3
Sand the ends of each ring to smooth rough or sharp edges.
Bamboo Tray
Step 1
Paint a rectangle-shaped wooden tray in a color of your choice. You do not need to paint the inside bottom of the tray.
Step 2
Measure the width of the wooden tray inside the tray's sides. Use this measurement to cut bamboo lengths from 1/2-inch thick bamboo poles using a miter saw.
Step 3
Apply a line of craft glue down the length of one side of a cut bamboo piece. Place the bamboo on the inside bottom of the tray with the glue side down. Position the bamboo against the inside side edge of the tray. Repeat with additional bamboo lengths until the entire inside bottom of the tray is covered.
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