by Kelly Olsen

Created on: November 06, 2011

Wands have always been a dress up staple. Be they fairy, witch or wizard many an outfit would be lacking without a wand.  There are of coarse as many ways to make wands as there are ways to use them.

To start with a safe and easy wand to make with and for children start with chopsticks.  Chopsticks are just the right size and shape to make a great base for wands. The points are not very sharp so they can be left uncovered or can me topped off to blunt them more. In many craft stores there are little wooden balls with a hole drilled into them. Some even have shapes such as hearts or stars. These can be glued to the pointy end of the chop stick. If you would like to add ribbon to the wand inside this ball is a good place to lap the ribbon and attach it to the stick.  The stick it's self can be wrapped in ribbon or yarn of any color. They can also be painted, stained or even colored on with markers. This is an easy quick project that is good to do with children.

Older children and adults may want more of a rustic look to their wands and this too is very simple.  To start with go find a stick. Yes go in your backyard and pick out a stick about 14-16 inches long with a good thick end and with as many attached or broken off twigs as one would want bumps. The more interesting the stick the more interesting the wand. Twisty ones look awesome when finished as do bumpy ones. Make sure they are good and dry, no green cores.  Now once the stick is chosen use a sharp whittling knife to shear off the twigs and most if not all of the bark. Leaving on some of the bark makes for an even more rustic look as well as leaving bumps where the twigs where.  Using sand paper smooth out the stick in long smooth strokes.  At this point you can also whittle down the smaller end to a blunt point.  Color comes into play now. The wands can be stained to any color of choice, or even just lacquered to a natural colored shine, suggested especially if bark has been left on for effect.  Paint can be used as well on the wands for more color options. Once a color is chose one should also top with a gloss coat one for the shine and two for the extra durability it will add especially for painted versions. The varnish or lacquer will help keep stained wands from drying out and cracking. The wands can also be oiled with wood oils. These can be found in most craft and hardware stores as well.

These where just two age appropriate versions of wands that can be made and are basic at that, but basic can be good and fun.  These make great camp and scout projects based on age or coarse. Happy crafting!

These where just two age appropriate versions of wands that can be made and are basic at that, but basic can be good and fun.  These make great camp and scout projects based on age or coarse. Happy crafting!

Learn more about this author, Kelly Olsen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.