Rustic walking sticks that you find at craft
fairs and shops are expensive and unique,
but you can make your own with a little
creativity and a few supplies. Walking sticks
make an unusual and fun gift!
You will need:
A 5-6 foot branch/stick
Stain or varnish
rough sand paper
Find a branch that is unique and fairly straight. The length
can be 5-6 foot, or slightly shorter. A stick with a curve
at the top is also neat to use. This should be a stick that
has fallen to the ground and is dead, not green. Look for a
branch that has character!
Peel all of
the bark off of the stick, scraping if necessary with a
putty knife-nothing too sharp, you don't want to "carve"
the stick. After it's
clean of bark, sand from top to bottom with a piece of
rough sandpaper. It works well to tear the large piece of
sandpaper in half, then fold once or twice. Get a good hold
of the stick in your left hand and rub with the sand paper
in your right hand until you get a nice finish over the
entire stick. It doesn't have
to be completely smooth-remember, you want it to have character.
Next, wipe off the stick with a clean cloth. Follow the
directions on the can of stain or varnish and apply to the
entire stick. Remember to do the very ends also. Allow to
dry, and if you wish, you can apply a second coat. Lastly,
create a small notecard with your name, the date and a
message to your Dad. Attach the note to the walking stick and you
have a one of a kind gift that he will treasure always!
About the Author
Brenda Hyde is a Mom to three, a wife, freelance writer and
editor. Her Mom, Eileen, of http://www.oldthingsandbooks.com/ inspired this craft with the small walking
sticks she made for her two grandsons this spring!
