Create a North Star Wall Hanging With Yardsticks

To add graphic impact to a home for the holidays, designer Dan Faires turns wooden yardsticks into North Star wall hangings.
Homemade Rustic Star Decoration

Create a North Star Wall Hanging With Yardsticks

To add graphic impact to a home for the holidays, designer Dan Faires turns wooden yardsticks into North Star wall hangings.

To add graphic impact to a home for the holidays, designer Dan Faires turns wooden yardsticks into North Star wall hangings.

Materials Needed:

  • 5 wooden yardsticks for each completed star
  • 5 1/4" nuts and bolts
  • drill
  • 1/4" drill bit
  • can of spray paint
  • hot glue gun
  • hot glue sticks
  • twigs or sticks, for embellishment
  • 10-foot strand of white string lights (per star)
  • picture frame nails and hammer (or adhesive wall hooks)
  • safety goggles
  • dust mask
  • drop cloth

Lay Out Yardsticks

On a flat, level surface, overlap five yardsticks onto one another in the shape of a star. Tip: If yardsticks are too large for the space intended for decoration, consider using wooden rulers instead. For a varied look, consider mixing yardsticks and rulers.

Man Creating Star With Yardsticks

Lay Out Yardsticks

On a flat, level surface, overlap five yardsticks onto one another in the shape of a star. Tip: If yardsticks are too large for the space intended for decoration, consider using wooden rulers instead. For a varied look, consider mixing yardsticks and rulers.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Add Holes in Corners

Use drill and 1/4-inch drill bit to add holes into all five corners of star.

Drilling a Hole in Yardsticks

Add Holes in Corners

Use drill and 1/4” drill bit to add holes into all five corners of the star.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Fasten Yardsticks Together

Add nuts and bolts to all five drilled holes, then tighten with screwdriver.

Man connecting yardsticks to create a star

Fasten Yardsticks Together

Add nuts and bolts to all five drilled holes, then tighten with screwdriver.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Apply Spray Paint

Give yardsticks an updated look with a solid spray-paint finish. In a well-ventilated area, place dust mask over mouth, cover surface of workspace with a drop cloth, then lay yardstick star out ensuring it's level. For proper coverage, hold spray-paint can approximately 8 inches from the surface of yardsticks, then spray in spurts with a steady, controlled manner.

Spray Painting Star

Apply Spray Paint to Star

Give yardsticks an updated look with a solid spray-paint finish. In a well-ventilated area, place dust mask over mouth, cover surface of workspace with a drop cloth, then lay yardstick star out ensuring it's level. For proper coverage, hold spray-paint can approximately 8 inches from the surface of yardsticks, then spray in spurts in a steady, controlled manner.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Embellish With Twigs

Once paint is dry, add twigs or sticks two to three layers deep to entire top surface of yardsticks. Secure twigs to yardsticks with hot glue gun.

Christmas Star With Twig Embellishment

Embellish With Twigs

Once paint is dry, add twigs or sticks two to three layers deep to the entire top surface of the yardsticks. Secure twigs to the yardsticks with a hot glue gun.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Wrap With Lights

Wrap entire star with 10-foot strand of twinkle lights. Tip: If plug-in lights are used, it's likely extension cords will show and interfere with the look of yardstick star. An excellent alternative is the use of battery-operated twinkle lights, which require batteries to be replaced throughout the holiday season.

Man Wrapping Strand Lights on Decorations

Wrap Star With Lights

Wrap entire star with a 10-foot strand of twinkle lights. Tip: If plug-in lights are used, it's likely extension cords will show and interfere with the look of the yardstick star. An excellent alternative is the use of battery-operated twinkle lights, which require batteries to be replaced throughout the holiday season.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Hang Star

Using a basic picture nail and hammer (or adhesive wall hooks), hang star to exterior of house.

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