A simple star garland incorporates a classic Christmas symbol into a traditional ornament easily crafted from basic supplies. Woven in with Christmas greenery or draped across a mantle or windowsill, a basic garland makes a beautiful accent or a stand-alone Christmas decoration.
Making the Garland
The supplies for making the copper star garland are simple and easily obtained at any craft store and some retail sections. Substitute gold foil for the classic folk art copper shades if desired, when choosing the metal rolls for the tin-punch stars.
Materials Needed:
- one roll copper foil
- one star tin-punch pattern
- one pair of tin shears
- one star tin-punch pattern
- one nail
- one Phillips screwdriver
- one small hammer
- one board
- one long strand of craft wire (desired garland length) OR
- one length craft twine
- copper beads or rusty bells (optional)
Cut out the paper tin-punch pattern and place over a square of copper foil. With the board underneath to protect any table or counter surfaces, use the hammer and nail to "punch" over the star design; embellish it with the screwdriver and hammer if desired, to create "star-like" decorative details on its surface.
Cut out the star using the tin shears, taking care to trim away any sharp edges. Repeat to make as many stars as desired (number varies according to personal taste and garland length). Most garlands require at least six to eight stars to keep the garland from seeming bare due to in-between spaces.
Positioning the Stars
Punch a hole in the topmost point of each star to string it easily onto the garland wire or cording. Place copper beads or rusty bells in between in clusters of three or spaced apart. Keep the distance between each star and each embellishment section equal to create garland uniformity.
If desired, knot the stars in place for twine garlands or loop the metal slightly on wire ones, to keep the stars from moving around. Do the same for any embellishments strung in between on the garland.
Other Embellishments
Substitute wooden beads for copper to use a painted design or alternative colors. Instead of rusty bells, miniature bells can add a pleasant jingle to the garland in between each star. Other embellishments include paper angels, copper hearts, even old-fashioned quilled flower ornaments.
Hang the finished copper star garland across the mantelpiece to allow the copper to glow in the firelight or display as a wall or window garland along with traditional greenery and boughs. The garland can also be strung across Christmas tree branches as a decorative tree garland.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
Join the Conversation