the fairest one in sight. . .
Choose Something Like A Star, Robert Frost

Here is an hour-long project for that last minute gift. My friend always gives me an ornament for Christmas and when I saw this year’s I had a “Hmm, I wonder if I can make one of those” moments. (Did I mention that I tend to procrastinate and suddenly making a star was way more important than typing up overdue PTA meeting minutes?)

So here it goes:

Materials

• 20 gauge or slightly thicker wire. I used copper wire from the hardware store.
• Wire cutter, pliers
• Beads, washers, popcorn, buttons, or anything else you can think of to string on the wires

Step 1

For a six point star cut three 12 inch lengths of wire and one 6 inch length to tie the wires together.

Step 2

Lay out the three 12 inch wires to make a star shape. Then take the opposite ends of the bottom wire, cross them over the middle of the star and begin securing the wires. Repeat with the remaining 2 wires. This may require some fiddling. Basically you want to kind of wrap the wires around each other to make a star shape.

Step 3

Further secure your shape by using the 6 inch length of wire and basket weaving around the center of the star. Go over one wire and under the next, and so forth. Once you get to the beginning, you have to wrap the wire around the first “ray” so the securing wire can go the opposite way on the second round. In other words, if the wire went over the first “ray” the first time, it should go under the “ray” the second time. (Please let me know if there’s a better way to explain this.) Do this until you find that the ends of the wire are fairly secure and the whole contraption looks like a star. (Oooh, this could also make a good spider.)

Step 4

Start decorating your star. I used beads, but I think you could make a really cool star using stuff from the hardware store like washers and nuts and anything else you can thread. At the end of the wire, make a basic loop to prevent everything from sliding off. (See wigjig.com for instructions.) Repeat with the remaining wires. Tie a ribbon, string or wire off one point to hang up your star and you’re done.

Variations

• Make a second star, stack the two stars and tie them together to make a 12 pointed star.
• For a kid version, use chenille wire and decorate with beads or buttons
• Use popcorn and dried cranberries to decorate the wires
• Make a glam star with silver wire and crystal beads
• Don’t decorate the wires, just use your pliers to bend them this way and that