Make Your Own Stick Bundles

by Kimba on October 28, 2009

I love those expensive stick/grass/willow bundles (what are they called, anyway?) that you see in all the stores. But the ones I was looking at the other day were between $25 & $35. YIKES! Not happening!

Here’s how to make your own. So easy and only $4.00!

Supplies:

Tin can
Brown spray paint
Plaster of paris
Grass, sticks or branches
Jute rope
Hot glue

Step 1: Paint your tin can brown (or another color that matches your sticks/grass/branches. That’s so that if a bit of the can shows through the final product, you won’t really be able to tell.

Step 2: Mix up some plaster of paris and put it in the bottom of each can for weight. You could use anything you wanted to give them some weight. But I wanted to make sure that whatever was in mine didn’t spill out when my little hooligans knock them over.

Step 3: Hot glue a piece of floral foam into the can right on top of the hardened plaster.

Step 4: Start sticking in your sticks. My stick-grass stuff came in a big bundle from Joann for $4.00 (50% off!). You can find it at any craft store.

Step 5: Hot glue the sticks, grass or brances around the outside of the can. Don’t worry if a bit of the can shows through because you painted the can brown, remember?

Step 6: A little rustic twine to finish off the bottom.

Step 7: Wrap it around a few times.

Step 8: Tie another piece of twine around the grass right above the top of the can. If you’re using something stiff like sticks, you won’t need to cinch it so tight.

This article was originally posted on October 16, 2008.

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{ 43 comments }

1 Jennifer October 28, 2009 at 5:06 am: I love this idea. so simple yet elegant!
2 Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage October 28, 2009 at 5:17 am: Smart, simple & beautiful, love it!
3 Lettered Cottage October 28, 2009 at 5:53 am: Fantabulous!!!

GREAT tutorial!

Layla
4 susan October 28, 2009 at 5:54 am: Thanks for the stick bundle tip! Made the apple and pear crumble this week. Very tasty!
5 pk October 28, 2009 at 6:08 am: What a great idea (and simple!). Like it…
6 Rita Kent at TesoroFino.Com October 28, 2009 at 6:11 am: OMG~ I stood there with my mouth open at the final photo. I really appreciate this project. It looks incredible for display this time of year.

Be sure to visit my blog post about Papa's Hand Painted Fresco's In Southern Italy if you have already seen my dad's Masterpieces!
7 Danielle @ Transforming Home October 28, 2009 at 6:22 am: Great tutorial!
Time to get out my glue gun!
8 Heather@PixieDust October 28, 2009 at 6:22 am: i love that!! That might go on my list of Christmas decorations.
9 Tricia Anne October 28, 2009 at 6:30 am: Good Morning Kimba,
I have one of your brooches that I purchased last year, on a big bow in a picture that I blogged about today! Whew … I should have used a comma in there somewhere huh?! )
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
10 The Toll House Cookie October 28, 2009 at 6:31 am: I have been looking for something living to go on my mantle along side my fall tin pieces. This would be perfect. Just where did you find the tall grass?
11 1 Frugal Queen October 28, 2009 at 6:38 am: What a great idea! Love it!
12 Audra October 28, 2009 at 7:00 am: This is amazing. How simple, elegant and timeless. I can't wait to try my hand at a couple! Thanks for the inspiration…again!
13 Debbie October 28, 2009 at 7:34 am: Kimba, I love how you share these DIY projects. Love this one and especially the savings. It really helps me when I can see the photos.

I so appreciate your visit to Heart Choices the other day. I always look forward to your Sunday posts but I also enjoy your other writings too. A Soft Place to Land is such a peaceful place for me to visit and …escape for a time. And that's a good thing.

Blessings,
Debbie
14 ...::Mrs. Southern Bride::... October 28, 2009 at 7:37 am: Love this idea!
15 a happy heart blog. October 28, 2009 at 7:38 am: Thanks for the tutorial, I'll have to try this!
16 Sandy October 28, 2009 at 7:38 am: Great ideal, thanks so much for sharing.
Sandy
17 marty (A Stroll Thru Life) October 28, 2009 at 8:03 am: Oh, it looks just gorgeous. Great tutorial too. Thanks, I will have to try this. Hugs, Marty
18 Maya@Completely Coastal October 28, 2009 at 8:05 am: Awesome! And thank you so much for the mention!!!
19 Nikki October 28, 2009 at 8:28 am: Thats such an awesome tip!! Thanks! I'm going to try and make them next weekend when I decorate for the holidays!
20 Craftify It! October 28, 2009 at 8:40 am: I love the way they look all bundled up…I think I will be doing this very soon! THANK YOU!
21 Room to Inspire October 28, 2009 at 8:51 am: What a great idea – super creative. I do love grasses, but they are SO expensive. Thanks for the tutorial.

Chelsea
22 Trac~ October 28, 2009 at 8:55 am: AWESOME! I love this idea and much more inexpensive then the ones in the store for sure! Thanks for sharing! )
23 Cheryl October 28, 2009 at 9:02 am: Love your stick bundle. It looks great there by your pumpkin looking so very designer. Thanks for sharing how you made it.
24 Misty October 28, 2009 at 9:34 am: I absolutely LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing!
25 Beautifully Inspired October 28, 2009 at 10:32 am: What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!!!
26 Those Magic Slippers Will Take You Home October 28, 2009 at 10:35 am: Once again! you have AHHHMAZED me! thank you for this idea! you're so smart!
27 Steph @ somewhatsimple October 28, 2009 at 11:57 am: how fun! I am bookmarking this so it is officially on my to-do list!
28 HeathahLee October 28, 2009 at 12:27 pm: It was pretty then, it's pretty now! : )
29 Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden October 28, 2009 at 1:17 pm: I love that! You made it look so easy.
30 Beth@The Stories of A to Z October 28, 2009 at 1:27 pm: This is such a great idea. Sticks ARE so ridiculously expensive. This is such a simple and smart way to make a beautiful bundle.
31 ~Ellie Kings~ October 28, 2009 at 1:58 pm: Wow! Amazing!
32 House Elf October 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm: very nice – love how you did the bottom – my stick bundle keeps falling over – I but the can would solve it!
33 Moody October 28, 2009 at 4:05 pm: I am crazy about this idea, I am so doing this now.. Thank you for sharing…

m & j @ zcouple.com
34 Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish October 28, 2009 at 4:50 pm: I love this!!!! Perfect simple and elegant! Thanks for sharing!
35 Journeying Five October 28, 2009 at 5:26 pm: positively lovely effect!
36 emptynest4two October 28, 2009 at 5:38 pm: Love it! I think the technical term for them is bunchy,sticky things..;-)
37 Suzann @ The Olive Cottage October 28, 2009 at 7:37 pm: I just saw one of these at the store that was $39.99 on sale for 50% off and I said – that's too much danged money!!! I did want it, but I didn't give in. Now I'll be making my own thanks to you.
38 brudcrew October 28, 2009 at 10:18 pm: I like that! Just what I need!
39 Clint & Alicia McLaws October 28, 2009 at 10:28 pm: love it! a tutorial i'll have to try in the near future!
40 a woman who is October 29, 2009 at 12:45 am: Brilliant! Thanks for the show and tell.
41 Jewell October 29, 2009 at 1:14 am: I LOVE THIS SITE!! Thank you for all your inspiration! I am so new at this blogging thing, but thank you for all your great ideas! I love this one, by the way!
42 Sherri S October 31, 2009 at 5:14 am: Thanks so much for the idea! This IS something I will be making in the near future! My fireplace NEEDS it and I love it.
43 Rachel@oneprettything.com November 2, 2009 at 8:22 pm: This is fantastic, thanks so much for sharing! I'll be linking to this. I need to make some new decor pieces now that it's time to take the pumpkins down.