My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Birch wood coffee stir sticks fan

Drill tiny holes into 18 Birch wood coffee stir sticks. Go slow- the wood splits easily. I use a Styrofoam base to cushion the sticks.

Insert wooden skewers into the holes as spacers. Leave the bottom last hole empty for the pivot skewer

I used two skewers to measure the space between the slats. Glue each skewer into position with wood glue.

Cut the spacer-skewers flush with the wood slats

File the wood smooth. I used my nail file from my tool bag because it is so delicate, but you can also use sanding paper wrapped around a skewer.

Cut 9 rounded tips and glue it in, to neatly finish the top edges of the fan

To create the pivot: Press a skewer through the last hole of all the slats. Wiggle the skewer almost all the way through and cut shorter. Do not glue all the slats. Add just a dot of glue to the front and back so that the skewer does not slip out. You can also use a wire loop or ribbon but I wanted my fan to be all wood.

Open the slats to fan out

Brew a strong cup of coffee and use the coffee grounds to stain the wood. You can also use any water based paint.

See the Tutorial below on more detailed instructions on how to stain wood using natural juices and spices

Glue in a few twigs to extend from the space between the slats and add the flowers

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.