Materials And Supplies

160 wooden pop sticks, 3/8 " x 4 1/2 " Elmer's Glue-All shellac denatured alcohol

Tools

1/2" paint brush woodburning tool (optional)

The basket in the photograph was made with wooden ice cream pop sticks. Wooden tongue depressors commonly used by doctors and nurses, or the narrow wooden sugar stirrers that are generally used by luncheonettes when sending coffee or tea out on order, may also be used with slight variation of the patterns and instructions given. Elmer's Glue-All in squeeze type plastic bottles was found to be the most satisfactory and economical adhesive.

Procedure

1. Using the pattern on the following page as a guide, place four sticks in the indicated position 1, 2, 3, and 4. (If you wish, draw one inch squares on a sheet of wrapping paper 12" x 15", outline the pop sticks for the first row in the correct positions, and you will have a permanent full scale pattern on which to build other octagonal pop stick baskets.) Daub or squeeze a blob of glue about the size of a small pea on the ends of the four sticks at a point one half inch from each end. Smooth the glue with the paint brush stroking toward the ends of the sticks. Place the second four sticks in positions 5, 6, 7, and 8 as indicated, allowing them to overlap the first four slightly. Hold them for about a minute for the glue to set. This completes the first layer of the basket.

Figure 11. Pattern for First Row of Octagonal Pop Stick Basket.

2. Add five more layers the same as the first making sure all the sticks are exactly above the lower ones as you add them. Always place the glue on the lower sticks and add the new ones in the same order, 1-2-3-4, and 5-6-7-8 alternately. Place a large heavy book or other flat object on the work thus far completed and wait ten minutes for the glue to set partially before proceeding. See the first photograph on the following page.

Figure 12. Working Detail of Octagonal Pop Stick Basket.

3. ;For the next twelve layers set each stick inward toward the center an eighth of an inch. Be sure to place them parallel to the lower ones in all instances. Study the second photograph on the preceding page.

4. ;Bridge across the hole at the top with fourteen sticks gluing them with sides touching. This forms the base of the basket. See the third photograph on the preceding page. Turn the basket over so that the base rests on the table. Place a weight on it and wait a half hour for the glue to set before decorating or applying shellac.

5. ;Use the woodburning tool to decorate the first layer of sticks if desired. Also use it to write your name and date of completion on the bottom of the basket.

6. ;Apply shellac to the inside and the outside of the basket. Use the shellac sparingly to prevent dripping. Do not apply shellac to the under part of the base that rests on the table until the shellac already applied is completely dry. A second application of shellac twenty-four hours later may be desirable to give a firmer finish to the surface. Use the denatured alcohol to remove the shellac from the brush.