Sparkle Craft: May Ribbon Wands
In the Martin & Sylvia story “May Day,” Martin & Sylvia are celebrating May Day by going to their town's May Day Fair. The fair has music and a maypole, and the family can’t wait to don their woven flower crowns and visit all the booths. But Martin can think of nothing but the maypole itself and how he wants to join the “fast dance” this year. It takes courage and a little story magic for Martin to take a ribbon and join the big kids in the twisting, turning dance.
Whether you have a proper May Day Fair or just celebrate the first of May by making a point to get outside and enjoy some sunshine, these May ribbon wands will add a lovely bit of whimsy to your day.
I got the idea from a lady who always makes them for our town's summer band concerts. Because they're inexpensive and easy to make in bulk, this wonderful woman churns them out by the hundreds each year. Then she brings a big basket to each concert and hands them out to any child who wants one. The kiddos look so sweet dancing to the music with streamers of ribbons fluttering along in their hands.
You could also make up a big batch and take them to the park or have them out for guests at a spring barbecue. The possibilities go on and on. For May Day, or any other day, if you need a splash of color and magic, these May ribbon wands are just the ticket!
May Ribbon Wands
Materials
“Jumbo” craft sticks (about 11/16ths of an inch wide)
A drill
Craft paint
Brushes
Several spools and colors of very thin (⅛th of an inch) ribbon
Directions
Begin by drilling a small hole into the end of each craft stick. A ¼-inch hole is a good size to shoot for, because — while the exact size isn't critical — you will need to eventually be able to thread several pieces of ribbon through the hole.
Once your sticks are prepared in that manner, it's time to paint them. Working on a covered surface, adorn them with stripes, polka dots, or whatever else makes you happy.
Leave the sticks for at least an hour to dry well.
As the sticks are drying, begin cutting pieces of ribbon. Again, exact size isn't critical. If you cut the ribbon to lengths that reach from the tip of your middle finger to the crook of you elbow, you'll be close enough. I used seven pieces of ribbon for each stick to correspond with the colors of the rainbow. While you could use less, I wouldn't try to use more.
Once the sticks are dry, gather up about seven pieces of ribbon together and fold them in the middle. Stick the folded part of the ribbon through the hole in the stick, so that you have a loop.
Fold the ends of the ribbon through the loop and pull them tight to secure.
Repeat with your remaining sticks, and enjoy your May wands!
If you liked this tutorial, here are others you might enjoy:
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About the Author
Meryl Carver-Allmond
The Sparkle Kitchen Series is created by Meryl Carver-Allmond.
Meryl lives in a hundred-year-old house near the prairie with her sweet husband, two preschoolers, one puppy, one gecko, and about ten chickens. While she's been writing since she could pick up a pen, in recent years she's discovered the joy of photography, too. She feels lucky to be able to combine those skills, along with a third passion — showing people that cooking for themselves can be healthy and fun — in her Sparkle Kitchen posts.
