Let's Get "Star"ted

Sorry about the pun, but I couldn't help myself! Bear with me today, I've been having issues with my keybaord AND camera. But I am ready to jump in, are you?

• Here's the materials list:
  1 Wooden Disc (for the body). This can be aby size, just make sure you find a mirror to fit in the center! My disc is 6" in diameter


• Wooden Craft Circles in various sizes. These come mixed in a bag, and I only needed one bag.


• Assortment of round mirrors. Each bag is size specific. I used 14 small, 27 medium and 14 large.


• 1 Large Mirror for the body. Mine is 5' in diameter


• Wooden dowels, 1/8". The number you need will depend on the number of rays you will have. I have 16 long rays and 16 short rays. The long rays are 10" long, the short are 5" long. Multiply the length times the number of each size arms, and that will give you the over all length needed, hence the number of dowels to get. If you're a math person, you'll have no trouble figuring this out. Or just buy some dowels, they were only 9 cents, use what you need, and take the rest back!


• Wood Stain, any color. I got lucky and found this nice dark brown in the "oops" section for only $1


• Glue Gun


• Wood Glue
  
• Picture Claw to hang your finished piece of art

Okay! Time for preparation and assembly.

1. Cut the dowels iinto the desired lengths. Then stain ALL the wooden pieces: wooden disc for the body, the wooden circles and the dowels. Leave to dry.

2. Draw a "grid" on the back of the body to mark the position of the rays. To get placement, meaure the length around the disc, and divide it by the number of arms. Then make little marks on the back around the circle. Draw lines from one mark to it's coordinating mark on the other side (passing through the center). This will tell you where to drill the holes for the rays. Just to be sure you've done it right, arrange the precut dowels around the body, alternating between long and short. If you have 2 long or short next to each other once you're done, OOPS! There's an error somewhere. Re-do the grid in another color if needed. Make sure this is right before moving onto the next step.

3. Attach the picture claw onto the back of the body. Most of these are tacked into the back. If you don't do it now, you may ruin the piece if you have to do it once it is finished.

4. Using a drill bit, drill holes the size of the dowels around the rim of the body. Don't forget that the placement of the dowels was determined in step 2! Drill the holes in the center of the edge (if your disc is 1/2" deep, then your hole will be 1/4" from the top and bottom of the disc). Wrap a piece of masking tape around the drill bit, 1/4" from the end of the bit. Once you've drilled into the edge until the tape touches the disc's body, you know you've gone the same depth all the way around! This will keep your arms the same length!!

5. Arrange a pattern that you like along the dowels. Start with the larger size on one end, and then use the medium then the small as you get towards the other end. Once you get them arranged, hot glue the wooden discs and mirrors on the dowels. Alternate mirrors and dowels for a unique touch. Get all your dowels done, then go to the next step.

6. Put some wood glue on a paper plate or in a small holder. It won't take much!! Dip the end of the dowel into the wood glue and then slide into one of the holes you drilled into the body. It doesn't matter where you sart, but then alternate between long and short arms.

7. Lay the piece down and allow the glue to set.

8. Pick a perfect spot in your home and hang! Great job!!

Have questions?? Feel free to ask. This is my first DIY post, so I need to know if I am explaining it well. I'm happy to help!

Edit: It would have been helpful if I had included my cost on this. After all, it IS about saving! I bought all craft items from Hobby Lobby. The wooden craft circles, dowels, disc and mirrors were 50% off, due to a sale they were running. I didn't need it, but they often have a printable coupon for 40% off any regularly priced item on their website. The picture claw was something I already had, but you can get them at any hardward store. As mentioned earlier, the stain was only $1. So after supplies, I spent about $10. What a bargain! Of course, that doesn't include my time invested, and as we all moms know, that's priceless!