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.
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 "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.
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.
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.
Wanna save this pattern?
We'll email you this so you can come back to it later!
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 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.
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.
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!
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!
reader via craftzine says
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!
Make and Do Girl says
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!)
Lori says
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.
Make and Do Girl says
Thanks, Lori. I love the name of your blog 🙂
Make and Do Girl says
Thanks Emma!
Tresa says
What a neat idea! Your work is lovely.
Make and Do Girl says
Thanks Tresa!
katie says
absolutely lovely. a great cloudy day project. i love painting and creating beautiful things with just objects that are sitting around.
Make and Do Girl says
Thanks, Katie! I agree about using everyday objects. Often those are my favorite projects. Thanks for stopping by.
Liana says
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!
Make and Do Girl says
Great tip, Liana! Another good reason I need to wear a tool belt at all times.
cynthia says
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
Make and Do Girl says
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 🙂
Nancy Robinson says
Love the pictures with your Mom. You guys look "natural" doing all that stuff. Love you.
Nancy
laura says
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...
Make and Do Girl says
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
Nancy Robinson says
Oh and, I pulled one out at McGuckins one time to sign a check. Barbara Baumgarten was with me and cracked up.
Make and Do Girl says
Ha! That's funny. I guess they're good for a lot of things. xo
elise says
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!
Make and Do Girl says
Thanks Elise! You should give it a shot!
Mel the Crafty Scientist says
I LOVE this! It's gorgeous and such a great, frugal project. I'm also LOVING your blog - so gorgeous! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
Marilyn says
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!
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