• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Browse Patterns
    • View ALL Patterns
    • Home Decor
    • Babies + Kids Wearables
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy & Disclosures
  • Technique Tutorials
  • Cardigans
  • Pullovers
  • Ponchos
  • Shirts + Tops
  • Baby Blankets
  • C2C patterns
  • Throw Blankets
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Valentine's Day
  • Easter
  • Mother's Day
  • Father's Day

Make & Do Crew

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easter
  • Patterns
  • Tutorials
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easter
    • Patterns
    • Tutorials
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » DIY Projects

    Updated: Jan 26, 2023 by Jess Coppom ·

    Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art

    2.0K shares

    This post is one of my favorites from the archives. I just took some additional photos for it so I thought I'd give it a proper repost to show off its new snaps. You can find lots more affordable DIY art ideas here.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.comI'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 "reclaimed wood" DIY wall art. All in, this project costs less than $7. That's a lot of eye candy bang for your buck.

    And how do we ensure we get this awesome organic woody texture? Coffee stirrers.

    Yup, you heard me, coffee stirrers.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
    stick_art_supplies

    Coffee Stirrer DIY Wall Art Supplies

    • 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.
    • Acrylic paint.
    • A paint brush.
    • 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

    • Scissors.
    • Glue. Tacky glue. Elmer's Glue. Whatev.
    • 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 bit subtle.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
    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 made this project together. We did our painting as the sun was setting, which is always a questionable decision. Seems to have turned out okay.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.comMake_and_do_girl_sticks
    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.


    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.comOnce 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!)

    painted_sticks
    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.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
    I used some sticks at their full length and then I also combined multiple pieces to create more of a patchwork effect. The key when combining them is to use sticks that are 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.

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
    Since the "frames" I used were really just very thin wooden boxes, I needed to add hanging device to the back. Unfortunately the picture hanging thing came with nails that were made for elf hands.

    Coffee_stirrer_art_hang
    What's left? Plop those puppies on the wall. Voila! DIY wall art that cost less than $7 total.

    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!

    Make this DIY wall art idea for less than $7 using coffee stirrers. This reclaimed-wood-inspired look is super easy to achieve and adds a lot of texture to any wall. This is a craft anyone can make! Click for full how to tutorial. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
    If you love handmade, texture-rich, budget-friendly accents for your wall, you'll love these ideas too:

    How To Make a Mid Century Modern Hexagon Shelf With Popsicle Sticks

    Honeycomb Shelves From Popsicle Sticks

    Awesome Typography Wall Art With Faux "Letterpress" Printing Blocks

    DIY Button Art Tutorial - Perfect for nurseries or playrooms!

    More DIY Projects

    • Create simple DIY wrapping paper storage idea using Ikea's Variera plastic bag dispensers. Get those crazy rolls of gift wrap up off the floor and contained in a tidy system! Click for details on measuring and hanging. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
      DIY Vertical Wrapping Paper Storage
    • A beautiful DIY yarn wall hanging in a boho living room. The wall hanging uses copper pipe fittings to add a bit of glam.
      Stylish DIY Yarn Wall Hanging Tutorial
    • This yarn storage changed my life! Use wooden crates to build an easy shelf to organize your yarn, craft room or books. Perfect for knitters, crocheters and weavers!
      How to Build Shelves Using Wooden Crates
    • This free hooded cowl knitting pattern is a true showstopper! Even in all it's oversized glory, it's very simple to create which makes it a great beginner pattern for learning how to knit in the round. Made with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in "Fisherman."
      "The Huggle" Hooded Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern
    2.0K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jo Smith says

      February 12, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      Great idea! Might have to try this. Question: is it ok to use popsicle sticks? I have a bunch of old ones that I don't use.

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        February 20, 2017 at 3:26 pm

        Sure! I'd definitely experiment with popsicle sticks. I have had luck trimming the curved ends off popsicle sticks using really sharp scissors. That might help you achieve the "coffee stirrer look" if you want to. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Stephanie (Travelcraft Journal) says

      February 22, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Oh hey! I saw this after commenting on your popsicle stick hexagon post. The stirrer art was one of the first projects I pinned on Pinterest – did not realize that was also you! I've added your site to my Feedly now, so maybe I can stay in the loop. 🙂

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        February 24, 2016 at 4:15 pm

        Ha--it's me! Apparently, I love to make projects from little wooden sticks 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning my posts. I really appreciate it.

        Your site has such a fun premise. I have always loved the combination of DIY and travel, but I never thought to share it with anyone. I'm glad you did!

        jess

        Reply
        • Stephanie (Travelcraft Journal) says

          February 26, 2016 at 4:05 pm

          Thank you – and thanks for checking it out. I think there is a lot of overlap between exploring the world around you and being creative.

          That is funny that it happened to be two "little wooden stick" posts I came across, but they are great materials (plus easily available/cheap!) Always happy to pin awesome stuff! 🙂

    3. ardee says

      August 13, 2014 at 7:14 pm

      Hi Jess. Thanks to your tutorial, It inspired me to make one. Instead of making it as a wall art/deco, I turn it into a desk/wall clock. You can check it out on my blog. And yes, I did linked the post back to your site =)

      http://ardeepapercrafthouse.blogspot.com/2014/07/frame-clock.html

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        November 08, 2015 at 4:20 pm

        A clock! What a brilliant idea! Thank you so much for sharing. Happy crafting!

        Reply
    4. Krystal says

      March 07, 2014 at 3:11 am

      Fabulous idea. Would be a perfect piece in any room.

      Reply
    5. Josie McHale says

      January 07, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      I LOVE THIS! My 7 year old daughter loves collecting stir sticks whenever you go into a coffee shop or a restaurant. I am constantly throwing them away. Now, I can work on an art project with her and enjoy collecting the stir sticks. Thanks for posting!

      Reply
    6. Meghan says

      December 05, 2013 at 11:52 am

      Nevermind! I'm sorry, I just saw that you already answered this question above. Thanks again for the craft inspiration!

      Reply
      • Make and Do Girl says

        December 06, 2013 at 8:57 am

        Glad you found your answer. I've recently seen some larger wood "trays" at Michael's in the wood section that might be a good option if you want a bigger project.

        Happy crafting.

        j

        Reply
    7. Meghan says

      December 05, 2013 at 7:35 am

      I love this! I'm just curious; what size is the frame pictured? I'm having a hard time finding anything like that on the Michael's or Hobby Lobby website but it looks like the size you used is about what I'm looking for. Thanks for your help!

      Reply
    8. Dar says

      October 23, 2013 at 3:27 am

      Thank you for not only the fantastic inspiration, but also for the love and care you put into all your posts! Hugs . . .

      Reply
      • Make and Do Girl says

        October 23, 2013 at 11:30 am

        Thanks Dar! I appreciate the kind words.

        j

        Reply
    9. Charlotte says

      October 10, 2013 at 7:48 am

      I love this! You inspired me to make my own version. Mine is much bigger, though. You can see it here: http://charlottesempire.blogspot.com/2013/10/im-pretty-excited-about-this-project.html

      Reply
      • Make and Do Girl says

        October 29, 2013 at 7:57 am

        Wow! Awesome, Charlotte. I love how you re-dyed the wood to make it more muted. Looks great!

        j

        Reply
    10. Kay says

      July 31, 2013 at 8:40 am

      Thanks for the idea! My boys (6 and 2) just helped me do this fun project. We used an old frame (without the glass), frame backing (glued the sticks on this back), and a mixture of jumbo and regular sized popsickle sticks (with the curved ends cut off). It was easy enough for them to do with me and now for no cost, we have new beautiful art in their bathroom 🙂

      Reply
      • Make and Do Girl says

        October 29, 2013 at 8:08 am

        Kay,
        I love to hear that this project inspired some good old-fashioned quality time with your boys! My daughter is still a little squirt, but I so look forward to the days when we can do stuff like this together.

        Thanks for reading.

        j

        Reply
    11. JAG says

      March 11, 2013 at 1:47 am

      Surprisingly simple yet good looking piece of wall art there! I think it's the color scheme that makes it look as good as it does to be honest.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Jess Coppom of the crochet blog, Make & Do Crew, wearing the Cleo Fedora crochet sun hat.

    Hi, I'm Jess! My mom taught me to crochet when I was 8-years-old. Now I work alongside my mom and sisters to bring you free patterns + tutorials that make crochet modern, approachable and fun!

    More about me →

    Popular Crochet Guides

    • How to Crochet a Hat for Beginners
    • Best Easy Crochet Sweater Patterns
    • How to C2C Crochet for Beginners
    • Best Easy, Unique Blanket Patterns
    • Most Loved Crochet Animal Patterns

    Trending Patterns

    • Free Crochet Bunny Hat Pattern (Newborn-Child)
    • Boho love! This free boho crochet purse pattern is fun to put together and loaded with bohemian charm. Made with Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in "Vanilla."
      Urban Nomad Boho Bag - Free Crochet Pattern
    • Three realistic crochet bunnies made from rectangles. Made with Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick yarn.
      Free Crochet Bunny Pattern for Beginners
    • Summer crochet top free pattern made from two rectangles. Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo in "Magnolia."
      Poncho-Style Summer Crochet Top - Free Pattern

    As Seen In

    A collage of greyscale company logos showing where the crochet blog, MakeAndDoCrew.com has been featured, including: Forbes, Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Free Email Courses

    • 5 Must-Know Tricks for Crocheting Your First Sweater
    • Shop Your Stash: the Best Free Crochet Patterns for Using the Yarn You Have

    Social

    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook Group
    • TikTok
    • Youtube
    • Sign Up for free patterns by email

    This site is reader supported and contains affiliate links.
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Jess Coppom, Make & Do Crew