Spring decor

 

I'm sure some of you who visit my blog are not paper artists.  That's why I thought I would branch out today and share how you can spruce up your home, while still recycling.

I've created this mini-tutorial, hoping you won't make the same mistakes I made.

There are really only four supplies for this project:

Plastic straws *

Tin can

Glue gun

Glue sticks**

*Alternately you can use sticks, twigs, or even bamboo

**Alternately you can use E6000 or any strong fast acting glue

 

I have no idea where I originally got these plastic straws, but they must be kept out of the landfill and out of reach of birds.  You can't throw them in the ocean or lakes because fish latch onto them and swallow them, which can kill them.  That's why I'm going to use mine in art and throw the off-cuts in a bag for later use.

Plug in your glue gun and cut the straws to the height you prefer.  I chose 5 1/2 inches, but the choice is yours.

Select a design you like and adhere the straws to the can.  I alternated blue and green with red, because I had more red than any other color.  When I started, I ran a bead of hot glue the entire length of the can.  Soon I had used so much glue, I feared I would run out of the small glue sticks.  That's when I realized all I had to do was run the bead along the top and bottom of the can.  Be sure you position the straws before you adhere them to the glue.  Once down, the can cools so quickly, you will never get the straws to move again.

Now it's time to spruce up an area with flowers.  You can add a ribbon around the can, but I chose to leave mine plain.  I may spruce it up later when the tulips die and I find a different use for it.

Although I've chosen to use mine to hold tulips, you could place pencils, art brushes, make-up brushes, or any number of items in these cans.

For Day 14 of 22, I recycled a tin can and plastic drink straws that must be kept out of the environment.  Thank you so much for joining me today.  I am truly delighted you stopped by.