Last week, I posted a preview of the simple, inexpensive wall art my mom and I created. Now I’m excited to show you how you can make a one-of-a-kind coffee stirrer masterpieces too!
I’m big on projects that anyone can do. And this is one of those projects. If you can smear paint on wood and use scissors, you can make this easy art. (Don’t you dare say you’re not “creative!” You’re wrong!)
And how do we ensure we get that awesome organic woody texture? Coffee stirrers. Yup, you heard me, coffee stirrers.
Here’s all you need to get started:
1. Wooden frame(s). We got these at Michael’s in the wood section for $1.49 each. (Talk about a cheap frame!) I used three for my project. You could also use a normal picture frame and remove the glass to let all your great woody texture show.
2. Acrylic paint.
3. A paint brush.
4. Coffee stirrers. (“Borrow” them from Starbucks!) I also got some extra wooden sticks from Walmart for $3 that were a slightly different width to add extra texture and dimension. I’ve seen LOTS of wooden sticks of varying sizes at Hobby Lobby too.
Additional Supplies:
5. Scissors.
6. Glue. Tacky glue. Elmer’s Glue. Whatev.
7. A picture hanger (optional).
Okay, first things first. Choose a color palette. Doing this first, before I crack the first bottle of paint, always helps reduce my hemming and hawing during the creative process. (I’m quite an slippery noodle when it comes to decision making.) If you need color palette ideas, I suggest checking out Colour Lovers. It’s a great resource for color combo inspiration and an easy way to create your own palette. I selected colors that are fairly similar in tone because I wanted the overall look to be a little subtle.
So, once you’ve got your palette, it’s time to paint your frames and your coffee stirrers! I just sort of guessed how many sticks I needed in total and I ended up needing to paint more which was kind of annoying. I’d suggest painting more than you think you’ll need. Coffee stirrers are basically free anyhow.
My mom and I did our painting as the sun was setting, which is always a questionable decision. Seems to have turned out okay.
I was going for the reclaimed driftwood sort of look. Like these coffee stirrers were wood siding that had been battered by 100 years of ocean rain on the coast of Maine and freshly plucked from the side of dilapidated house. (A doll house. These sticks are tiny.) To achieve this look, I developed a simple, very unscientific technique. I’d paint the a brighter color (say, pea green) and then let it dry. Then I’d paint a second coat of a 50/50 mix of black paint and water. I’d let it sit for about a minute and then I’d go to think sink and rinse off some of the black paint, exposing the “weathered” green wood underneath.
Once your coffee stirrers are painted, it’s time to trim them to fit into the frame(s) you’ve chosen.
I found the quickest way to do this is to measure one stick to be the length you need it and then use it as the guide for trimming all the others. (Please excuse the paint under my nails. DIY dirty girl!)
This next part is fun because you’ll start to see your piece come together fairly quickly. Starting on one side of the frame, put down plenty of glue and begin laying your sticks down.
I used some sticks at their full length and then I also combined multiple pieces to create more of a patchwork effect. The only key here is to combine pieces of the same width so that you aren’t left with awkward gaps in between the vertical rows.
After I finished the set of three, I realized I didn’t like the red splashes of color. Nothing a little butter knife couldn’t pry out.
Since the “frames” I used were really just very thin wooden boxes, I needed to add hanging device to the back. Unfortunately the hanginy thing came with nails that were made for elf hands.
What’s left? Plop those puppies on the wall. Voila! DIY art that cost less than $7 total.
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There are lots of cool things you can do with these sticks, from placing them in the frame at an angle, or even cutting the “seams” between the sticks at angles. There’s no wrong way to do it. And as far as I can tell, there’s no shortage of coffee stirrers either, so go ahead and get crazy!
I’ve also shared this tutorial at Hope Studios, The DIY Showoff, Finding Fabulous, Whipperberry, Type A Decorating, New Nostalgia and Sew Stylish Boutique.
[...] Jess at Make and Do girl made this Coffee Stirrer Art [...]
I love this idea, so clever! Found you on DIY linky and glad of that, will check your blog out! I have been wanting to do this with some wood scraps I have, it is on the TO DO LIST! Thanks for sharing and it’s so nice that you were working with Mom!
Stop by for a visit!
I LOVE this! It’s gorgeous and such a great, frugal project. I’m also LOVING your blog – so gorgeous! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
[...] Every now and then I like to go through Ashley’s comments and click on the link that takes me to the readers blog. Often, this is how I discover some of my new favorite blogs and projects. And clicking on one readers link is what took me to the post that inspired today’s project. The original idea can be found over at Make and Do Girl. [...]
Oh my. I just saw the version of this that Little Miss Momma’s Momma did, and I love both of them a LOT. You are brilliant. This is so creative and unique!
Thanks Elise! You should give it a shot!
hey! how ironic! i just picked up a handful of these coffee stirrers and shoved them in my already messy purse thinking they’d be cool for SOMETHING… WHAT A GREAT IDEA!
I’ll dig them out now… they’re at the bottom next to the tampon that unwrapped itself…
Don’t you hate those darn wrappers? I just saw one the other day advertised as “purse safe.” Made me laugh. As if purses are so dangerous these days. Make some coffee stirrer art! It’s easy and really fun. Send me a pic if you do. xo
Oh and, I pulled one out at McGuckins one time to sign a check. Barbara Baumgarten was with me and cracked up.
Ha! That’s funny. I guess they’re good for a lot of things. xo
Love the pictures with your Mom. You guys look “natural” doing all that stuff. Love you.
Nancy
[...] Now that your creative juices are flowing, check out my tutorial for Coffee Stirrer Wall Art here. Leave A Comment Tagged with: art • DIY • inexpensive • Paint • paint [...]
[...] found this from Make & Do Girl. I want this to be the quote on the above art [...]
i love that you and your mom did this togethor…that is a great picture of her…those are the precious memories…my mom passed away of breast cancer 4 years ago so when i see people post things about moms my heart resonates with joy…it’s the little things that become the things that we treasure
Cynthia, thanks so much for the thoughtful reminder of how lucky I am to get to enjoy my mom. I LOVE doing creative projects with her. If there’s ever an apocalypse I think she and I will just run to the nearest Michael’s, lock ourselves inside it and live happily ever after. You can come too if you’d like
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com [...]
[...] What’s left? Plop those puppies on the wall. Voila! DIY art that cost less than $7 total. TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com [...]
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com What’s left? Plop those puppies on the wall. [...]
The key to those tiny “elf hand” nails for the hanger is to hold them straight up with needlenose pliers while hammering them in.
This is a great crafty idea!
Great tip, Liana! Another good reason I need to wear a tool belt at all times.
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com – StumbleUpon What’s left? [...]
absolutely lovely. a great cloudy day project. i love painting and creating beautiful things with just objects that are sitting around.
Thanks, Katie! I agree about using everyday objects. Often those are my favorite projects. Thanks for stopping by.
What a neat idea! Your work is lovely.
Thanks Tresa!
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com What’s left? Plop those puppies on the wall. Voila! DIY art that cost less than $7 total. [...]
Such a clever idea! It looks so much more expensive than $7 too! Lovely!
Emma
http://www.thepolkadotte.blogspot.com
Thanks Emma!
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com What’s left? Plop those puppies on the wall. Voila! DIY art that cost less than $7 total. [...]
Oh wow this is beautiful! I love the colors and the look. Gorgeous.
I saw this on the Craftzine blog and had to come over. i have some of these sticks from a craft store & think I may need to start “borrowing” more from the coffee shop.
Thanks, Lori. I love the name of your blog
[...] to add some modern elements to your home decor on the cheap? Check out this coffee stirrer wall art tutorial from Jess at Make Do Girl! I’m big on projects that anyone can do. And this is one of those [...]
Sorry for being an old fuddy-duddy, but “borrowing” 100 coffee stirrers from your local coffee shop sounds awfully close to stealing. Just buy a box at the grocery store – then the only “guilt” on your otherwise cute & frugal project need be the gold (gilt) variety!
You’re right, Tricia, and that’s why I mention the places you can purchase them. I liked the variety of texture that having many varying widths created so I collected them from several craft stores and, yes, a few coffee shops. (Let’s hope I tipped well those times!)
wow this is very nice…
[...] How to Make Wall Art Out of Coffee Stirrers (Get the tutorial here.) [...]
Such a creative idea! Would have never thought of it myself! Thanks for the inspiration.
Great idea!
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com What’s left? [...]
[...] Coffee stirrer art. So cool. I’m totally doing this [...]
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com – StumbleUpon I’m big on projects that anyone can do. [...]
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com – StumbleUpon What’s left? [...]
I saw this the other day and just made one to match our new bathroom set! I love it and its so easy and fun.
I bet it’s great in a bathroom. Sounds fun!
[...] comments Mar 082012 Coffee Stirrer Wall ArtAnother fast and easy wall art. From Make and Do Girl, this one is made with Coffee Stirrers for the wood [...]
[...] I found the quickest way to do this is to measure one stick to be the length you need it and then use it as the guide for trimming all the others. (Please excuse the paint under my nails. DIY dirty girl!) TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com [...]
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com – StumbleUpon I was going for the reclaimed driftwood sort of look. Like these coffee stirrers were wood siding that had been battered by 100 years of ocean rain on the coast of Maine and freshly plucked from the side of dilapidated house. (A doll house. These sticks are tiny.) To achieve this look, I developed a simple, very unscientific technique. I’d paint the a brighter color (say, pea green) and then let it dry. [...]
Very creative idea .. wonder if I can do the same with the bundles of popsicle sticks that I bought from Michael’s?
Wow, this looks gorgeous! I may make this sometime soon, thank you!
[...] to add some modern elements to your home decor on the cheap? Check out this coffee stirrer wall art tutorial from Jess at Make Do Girl! I’m big on projects that anyone can do. And this is one of those [...]
[...] your daily coffee intake has you dizzy with disposed coffee stirrers, convert them into this coffee stirrer collage from Make and Do Girl. This is definitely going to be my new project—a pretty and [...]
Perfect idea for my grandgirls over spring break next week!
Oh sounds great, Cindy. Have fun with them!
[...] TUTORIAL: Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art – makeanddogirl.com I found the quickest way to do this is to measure one stick to be the length you need it and then use it as the guide for trimming all the others. (Please excuse the paint under my nails. DIY dirty girl!) [...]
[...] know we all love some DIY art. According to Make & Do Girl Jess, “If you can smear paint on wood and use scissors, you can make this easy art.” Sound like your [...]
Love how this turned out, love your color palette, and especially love that you did this with your Mom!
I haven’t “borrowed” coffee stirrers from Starbucks, but I have saved most of the ones I’ve used. Did you see that Starbucks have those green plastic stirrers now? Well, I keep those too because they have the little Starbucks design on top and I use these stirrers as embellishments in my scrapbooking.