Five dimensional, flat-bottom “stick” posts
interconnect
with end “tab” punch holes aligning to form
a traditional pentagram
star decoration
to stand on a shelf or hang from nail or peg.
Add your own decorative touches, including
adhesive enamel dots at end tabs,
twine wraps at intersections, purchased berry sprigs,
ribbon and flowers.
Measures approx. 10.8” wide x 10.37” tall.
ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A stick "post" shapes (2)
B long half-length strut inserts for A (4)
C stick "post" shape (1)
D short strut insert for C (1)
E long half-length strut inserts for C (1)
F stick "post" shapes (2)
G short strut inserts for F (4)
2. Prepare the A sticks by bending back carefully on
each of the long perforation lines and crease . . .
. . . including the narrow margin lines toward
the center of the series of perforation lines.
3. TABS at ends need special care:
the BOTTOM tab indicated in the following image
is not bent (no perforations), whereas . . .
. . . the TOP tab is bent back at the inward perforation
and forward at the outward perforation.
4. Form the post shape into a tube to overlap
the side cut edge over the opposite long flange tab
to perforation line, and glue in place.
Take care that the tube does not twist during
this process.
NOTE: it may be helpful to use a wooden dowel
of approx. 5/16" diam. inserted inside tube as it is
formed to provide a "press against" surface
to help join the seam.
5. Prepare 2 long struts for each A stick "post"
by bending forward on the outer perforation lines,
then alternate bending direction toward center
from each side, forming a 'W' configuration . . .
. . . as shown in this diagram.
6. Compress the folds accordion fashion, and . . .
. . . press and crease all along the length of strut.
7. Apply adhesive in the valleys between the narrow
folds, then repeat the pressing shown
in the preceding frame, applying pressure
until the glue is cured and the creases are secured.
(NOTE use this process for ALL strut lengths.)
8. Once dried, open up the strut so that it is
in this configuration, with two short "arms" at top,
and two longer "arms" toward side bottom.
9. Carefully insert the "long" half-strut into one end
of the post tube, with short "arm" extensions fitting
up into the top bends of the tube opening, with
the bottom two "arm" extensions fitting into
the bottom/base side angles.
10. Repeat the insertion of the other long strut
into the opposite end of tube in similar fashion.
11. With the struts pushed fully in from each end,
bend the mini side tabs in toward center at
a right angle . . .
. . . apply glue to the underside of the upper tab, and . . .
. . . to attach to mini tabs underneath post opening,
adjusting so that walls and perforations line up
attractively, and align tab edges and punch holes.
Apply pressure to the tabs until secure.
Repeat for both post ends.
12. Repeat steps 2-4 to crease and prepare the post
stick shapes for C and F posts which each have . . .
. . . one or more "tunnels" to allow interlocking of sticks.
taking care at "tunnel" areas to overlap
and join the wall straight edge with flange tab.
13. Prepare the various length struts for each
stick tube as described in steps 5-8.
14. Insert the appropriate length strut into
the tubes so that struts will fill the tube but not
interfere with the tunnel openings.
15. For the F sticks, insert the short center strut
from one tube end, then . . .
. . .use a dowel or pencil to
push the strut past the first tunnel to rest in
the center of the tube. Then insert the end strut.
Bend mini tabs, upper end tab and glue in place
as previously described for A stick.
the mini tabs inward with a blade style tool
such as this spatula.
Here are the five stick posts completed.
16. Lay out the specific posts in this
pentagram configuration to become accustomed
to the way they will fit together.
17. There is more than one correct way to assembly
the star. Begin inserting the sticks through the openings
of the sticks they may overlap in the preliminary layout . . .
. . . such as inserting left end of B through C
as shown here, then . . .
and also through the lower tunnel of the other C.
Continue inserting A through C and B until . . .
. . . all sticks are in place.
18. It may be helpful to use a temporary tape
such as this masking tape to align and hold end tabs
together. Then remove tape on one end connection,
apply glue to join the flat tabs together, overlapping
ends and lining up punch holes as accurately as possible.
Here is the completed star structure.
Red/Cream color from TrendyTwine shown here,
to wrap 3-4 times around the short direction of
each intersection, then 3-4 times around long
direction (invisibly tie off or glue clipped ends on back).
This will help conceal the tunnel openings.
Add decorations and accents as desired.
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