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A Stunning Star Tree Topper! Under $5. (Well, maybe like ten if you own absolutely nothing.)
Hi, This is my first instructable, so please forgive my dust. This is kinda two instructables in one, as it's both the process to make the star that is the end result and the process of getting there. This is a great weekend project for supervised kids as it doesn't involve sewing but does involve a lot of creativity and coloring!
But this all started with a need. We had this lovely tree, but no tree topper!!! What are we to do!?
I had an idea about using a battery-powered led light pack with some wire to make kind of a star thing.
The end result you can see above, but I didn't really start with that in mind. I'll tell you how I got there as I tell you how to get there.
Let's Go! Allons-y!
Hi, This is my first instructable, so please forgive my dust. This is kinda two instructables in one, as it's both the process to make the star that is the end result and the process of getting there. This is a great weekend project for supervised kids as it doesn't involve sewing but does involve a lot of creativity and coloring!
But this all started with a need. We had this lovely tree, but no tree topper!!! What are we to do!?
I had an idea about using a battery-powered led light pack with some wire to make kind of a star thing.
The end result you can see above, but I didn't really start with that in mind. I'll tell you how I got there as I tell you how to get there.
Let's Go! Allons-y!
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Signing UpStep 1First things first.
So, ok, so I bought a string of battery-powered LED's at the drug store. I guess that's a step of its own, but there's honestly not more to the story. There is also probably a source online.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE NORMAL LIGHTS!!!! FIRE WILL HAPPEN!!! LED's ONLY!!!
Then I took a coathanger and I straightened it. I looked longingly at my tape measure, all curled up on the floor. Longing to be useful.
I took my needlenose pliers and I placed the end of the wire in the canyon between the two plies. Each length measured from the tip of the pliers to the middle of the maw. I left a little bit extra on the first part and the last part just ended up the length which was left. A more persnickety person would measure 10 lengths with one left over for the leg. Be brave.
Each bend is the opposite of the last one. It is important you only bend in one direction. As soon as you bend back, you can snap the coathanger. If your coat hanger is particularly tough, you can score the bends with the cutting part of your pliers but do so lightly.
If you break a corner, you might as well start over. If you absolutely can't, like if it's the last coathanger on Earth, grab some duct tape.
Once you have a pretty good looking star (Or square or rhomboid, I don't judge) take a little bit of extra time to make sure it's as nice as can. You're not going to be able to do much after this, so get it right.
Alright, let's make that star twinkle!
CAUTION: DO NOT USE NORMAL LIGHTS!!!! FIRE WILL HAPPEN!!! LED's ONLY!!!
Then I took a coathanger and I straightened it. I looked longingly at my tape measure, all curled up on the floor. Longing to be useful.
I took my needlenose pliers and I placed the end of the wire in the canyon between the two plies. Each length measured from the tip of the pliers to the middle of the maw. I left a little bit extra on the first part and the last part just ended up the length which was left. A more persnickety person would measure 10 lengths with one left over for the leg. Be brave.
Each bend is the opposite of the last one. It is important you only bend in one direction. As soon as you bend back, you can snap the coathanger. If your coat hanger is particularly tough, you can score the bends with the cutting part of your pliers but do so lightly.
If you break a corner, you might as well start over. If you absolutely can't, like if it's the last coathanger on Earth, grab some duct tape.
Once you have a pretty good looking star (Or square or rhomboid, I don't judge) take a little bit of extra time to make sure it's as nice as can. You're not going to be able to do much after this, so get it right.
Alright, let's make that star twinkle!
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-Olaf