I know what you are thinking.
But let me assure you…..no paint sticks were mooched in the making of this paint stick Christmas tree.
No-mooched paint sticks.
It’s kind of my thing.
The first time I saw a project on Pinterest made from paint sticks, I was so excited.
I ran to the home improvement store and asked the paint team member for some paint sticks.
He handed me two.
Two? Yikes.
I needed 47 paint sticks to make a mirror.
So I stood there awkwardly trying to figure out what my next move was. Did I ask for 47 paint sticks and then change my name and make a run for the border? Did I travel all over town in search of free paint sticks….wandering from store to store until 7 hours later I had triumphantly amassed my paint stick empire? Did I write the big box store and tell them how amazing I was and that I lived to create paint stick projects and could they send me some for free?
Paint stick dilemma 101.
And then one day the stars aligned and the heavens parted and the angels sang the hallelujah chorus right there in the middle of aisle 27 at WalMart.
Why?
Because WalMart sells paint sticks. And these are the cadillac of paint sticks. They are extra long and super thick and they don’t have any writing on them and they’re located next to the paint.
And at .34 a piece….you can buy buckets full and still have enough left over to send your children to an ivy league college.
Merry Christmas to you.
Paint Stick Christmas Tree Project
Supplies
paint sticks
long skinny metal with screw fittings all over it (I forget what this is called but just ask about it at the hardware department)
nuts (to fit the long skinny metal thing)
washers
Step 1: Cut your paint sticks into varying lengths.
I used approximately 14 paint sticks for this project.
The longest paint stick is 8″ long and the shortest is 2″ long.
I just started with the 8″ pieces and then measured an inch in for the next piece.
I cut about six of each of these lengths.
If it’s not exactly perfect….no worries. When you twist them you won’t even notice.
Step 2: Drill holes
Mark the approximate center and drill holes into each piece.
Again…if it’s not exactly the center….no worries.
It’s calle
d character.
Step 3: Paint the pieces
I used Americana Decor Chalky Paint from Deco Art.
I love it.
It’s not too overwhelming and comes in small bottles that are easy to work with and I love the colors.
Follow directions on the label when painting.
Let the paint dry.
You can also add a coat of wax for a smoother finish.
Step 4: Add the nut and washer to the bottom of the metal pole
This will help to anchor your paint sticks.
Then begin stacking the paint sticks on the pole.
Begin with the largest at the bottom and twist as you go.
When you finish stacking the paint sticks, add a nut and washer to the top to hold all the paint sticks together.
Tighten the nut to finish.
Step 5: Add a star and feet
I cut a star from silver paper and glued pieces of wood to the bottom for feet.
Then I finished off the tree by dry brushing white paint on the edges to make it look like snow.
That’s it.
I added some snow and put it on the pallet table next to the collection of wood trees.
And it totally held its own.
No-mooch paint sticks have never looked so good. 🙂
disclaimer: A giant shout out to DecoArt for asking me to create a project with their amazing paint. I was compensated for this post, but
my opinions on not mooching paint sticks and chalky finish paint are completely my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
It’s day nine of the twelve days of Christmas.
Can you even believe it?
And now here’s some more Christmas inspiration from some of my favorite people.
Just click on the links below to take you to the projects.
Remodelaholic
Mini House Luminaires
I love your paint stick tree and thank you for sharing how you made it. I did not know that Walmart sold paint sticks - buying them surely beats cutting an appropriate piece of lumber. :)
So cute KariAnne!
Threaded rod, KariAnne. (I used them in the jack stand lamps, too!) You're welcome. :) -b.
Okay, I need to find out what that sparkly white stuff is?? {Is that last sentence grammatical correct??} Anyway, it really looks great and that long skinny thing is called an all-thread rod (asked my Honey that one). That is such a clever idea. You are great with wood {heh! heh! - must be the influence of your name :-)} I'm waiting for the wood rounds your mom found. When is the unveiling??
Who knew you could actually buy paint sticks? Cute project! ;)
Love Love this!! I will be visiting Walmart right after work and heading straight to the paint aisle! This project looks easy enough that I may not even have to ask the hubby for much help! Although he has made some great pallett items this Christmas! So I bet he even won't mind me asking :) I will be posting his great, easy to make items later this week, told him I would feature him on my wee lil blog!! Your decorations are just perfect and I am sure you have all of us in blogland just wanting to move right in! Beautiful!!
I love DecoArt and it's made right here in KY!
I seriously love this!!!! I may not get it done for THIS Christmas, but definitely on my list for a future one! :) Hmmm . . . you could also do this with yardsticks . . . and rulers . . . . and leave the letters and numbers showing . . . or did I actually SEE that somewhere? My mind is a Christmas muddle right now . . . and it's cold outside. Brrrrrrr . . . . . !!!
Loved this so much I invited my peeps into my office to take a look. We agreed it would be less cumbersome than the wine bottle tree we thought about creating for our Christmas party - but we're fairly certain we could never master anything that requires a. drill. :)
FYI thought I'd tell you both of your links to Remodelaholic don't work.
The tree is so cute. Thanks for letting us know where to find the paint sticks. I, too am anti moocher. One day I was looking for paint colors and someone had cleared the store of anything green and blue. I felt bad for the folks in the paint department. Thanks! You re always a wealth of information, great ideas and a living example of taking the high road! Happy Tuesday!
LOVE this idea! And that I can still afford to send my kids to college afterwards :)
I like this
Hi KariAnne, I love this tree and will try to make it. I showed my husband and he liked it too. He asked me to find out what the other tree next to it is made out of. We like that one as well. Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas with us! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Wow, what a great idea - looks beautiful