The next project on 40 Projects Just For Fun is a pink straw himmeli. I've always thought himmelis were beautiful and realized it'd be really easy to make one from some of the pink straws we always seem to have in our cupboard. This project took about 20 minutes including taking photos and cost about $2.00. I found these straws in an assortment pack at Target but you could use any kind of patterned or striped straws or spray paint them upon completion to get the look you want.
1. You'll need 20 ft. of twine, 20 straws, and a pair of scissors. 2. Cut twelve straws just under the bend, cut the other eight 2" shorter. The size of your straws will change the shape of your himmeli so you can vary your silhouettes easily. 3. Cut your twine into four 5' sections. Take two and two and tie them in the middle. 4. Stick one of the longer straws over each of the four sections. 5. Take one strand from from one of the sections and another strand from an adjoining section and stick them through one of the short straws in opposite directions as shown. Repeat for the next three sections. 6. You should have the shape shown above. You have four new sections. 7. Add one long straw to each new section. 8. Repeat step five with the next layer of short straws. Finish with the last layer of long straws and bring all of the twine together at the top in a knot. Hang with another length of twine.
Himmelis are fun sculptural elements to hang in a corner of your favorite space, make beautiful modern ornaments at Christmas time, or a sweet mobile for a child's room. I think I'm going to make a bunch of miniature versions for our tree next December in gold.
What have you been working on lately?
-Rachel
Looks nice and fun, Rachel ! One question though : you keep making all of these things, but how do you keep storing them?! And do you keep everything out or do you stock some of the things and how do you decide what to display? And do you toss them after a while?
Posted by: Silke | 02/05/2013 at 03:42 AM
Oh how I LOVE your 40 projects for fun series! This is fab and I think I am going to have to make a few for my Daughters room:) Thanks for the inspo!
Posted by: Melonie | 02/05/2013 at 05:01 AM
i love your projects!!!
don't know if you heard but gilt groupe is having a sale on orla kiely today. it's 60% off!!! i thought you'd wanna know.
in case you're not a member he's an invite. (feel free to use it anyone ;))
http://gilt.com/invite/mylink2518
Posted by: Holly | 02/05/2013 at 05:45 AM
So pretty! Love the colors, too. I saw a few trees with himmelis on them at Christmas, and thought they were so great. I could see doing a whole corner in a child's room hung with himmelis- bet it would be amazing.
Posted by: ruthie | 02/05/2013 at 09:11 AM
I've seen these all over the place but never known how to make them. Thank you.
You asked what we're working on. I'm crocheting scarves for everyone for Christmas. It's just single and double crochet and one skein makes a long enough scarf. It goes fast and the best thing is the cat can sit in my lap while I do it.
Posted by: Deb n Cats | 02/05/2013 at 09:29 AM
love this pretty project. i'll definitely be giving this a try!
-charity
http://lumivintage.blogspot.com
Posted by: charity | 02/05/2013 at 11:07 AM
Oh, nice! Did you know that himmeli is finnish word for that ornament? We have two languages, finnish and swedish and word himmel means sky in swedish. So we call those ornaments himmeli because usually they are placed on the (livingroom)roof. Like a straw sky :)
Like your blog!
Elsa http://oimutsimutsi.bellablogit.fi/
Posted by: Oimutsimutsi.blogspot.com | 02/05/2013 at 02:37 PM
plus! If you want to know interesting history about himmelis, use google translator and check this! http://www.vastaranta.net/himmeli/index.php?id=historia
<3 Elsa again
Posted by: Oimutsimutsi.blogspot.com | 02/05/2013 at 02:48 PM
Making banners/buntings for bestie's first grade classroom...read, joy, fun, believe, dream....!
Posted by: Claudia | 02/06/2013 at 03:31 PM