Craft paint sticks might seem pretty simple at first glance, but they’re actually a highly versatile, budget-friendly material that can unlock a whole world of DIY crafting possibilities. These sticks are perfect for homemade projects, and give you plenty of room to stretch your creative muscles. Ready to get crafty with paint sticks? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know and find out where to get the best paint sticks for crafting!
What are craft paint sticks?
Paint sticks are similar to popsicle sticks, though paint sticks are typically much longer. They’re simply flat, wooden sticks that are traditionally used to stir and mix paint (or other thick substances). Due to their combination of sturdiness and flexibility, they’ve also become a go-to material for DIY crafting projects of all kinds. Made from high-quality, smooth birch wood, craft paint sticks from Woodpeckers come in various lengths, ranging between 6 inches to 21 inches — with plenty of options in between.
Since they come straight out of the packaging as unfinished wood, paint sticks are easy to paint, stain, or customize as you see fit. Whether you’re making a sign, building a small, decorative structure, or just enjoying an afternoon of arts and crafts with the little ones, craft paint sticks offer the perfect blank canvas to get started. At Woodpeckers, our paint sticks are especially popular for their unfinished, smooth, splinter-free birch wood, which makes them a safe choice for kids and adults alike!
Practical uses for craft paint sticks
Paint sticks are usually used for more practical things, even though they’ve become an increasingly popular part of DIY crafting in recent years. So, if you need some paint sticks that you can use for practical and artistic purposes, we’ve got you covered! If you’re more focused on the practical side of paint sticks (i.e. non-crafting), then they’re great for mixing strong adhesives like epoxy and glue, and the popular resin as well. They’re thin enough to easily stir the substance around, but strong enough to get the job done without breaking. Alternatively, if you just need something simple to mix paints, you can create the perfect color with the help of paint sticks. They are great for combining two or more colors right in the paint can. Then, any unused paint sticks can be used for your creative crafting endeavors!
DIY paint stick crafts 101
Crafting with paint sticks is easy and fun, even for beginners. That said, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
- Pick materials that naturally work well with wooden sticks like acrylic paint, glue, markers, and wood stains
- Think about the design you want before you do anything else; if you plan to combine more than one paint stick, make sure you’re using a strong wood glue
- Don’t be afraid to cut and reshape your paint sticks as you see fit
- If you plan on painting and adding other adornments or decorations (like beads, twine, glitter, etc), make sure you allow the paint to fully dry first
- Remember that, even though paint sticks are very strong, they aren’t invincible; putting too much weight or strain on the sticks could lead to unwanted bending or even cracking
Paint stick craft ideas
Now for the fun part — coming up with ideas for your next craft paint stick project! We know it’s not always easy to come up with unique ideas, which is why we’re here to help you out. Here are some of our favorite paint stick craft ideas that are a great option for crafters of varied skill and experience levels:
Christmas crafts with paint sticks
Pain sticks make crafting a cinch for holiday decor. You can create just about anything Christmas-themed, from Christmas trees and ornaments to miniature 2D sleighs for some extra holiday cheer! The best part is that paint sticks can form the basic shape of your creation (like stick figure characters), or they can be glued together to be a blank canvas on which you can paint Christmas-themed images and landscapes. There really are no limits!
Paint stick snowman craft
If you want to make stick-figure snowmen, just take three or four paint sticks, align them side by side, and glue them together to create the body of the snowman. Then, paint the top portion black to serve as the hat, and use white for the body. Add buttons, a fabric scarf, a “carrot” nose with orange paint, and voila! You’ve brought your paint stick snowman to life. These make wonderful holiday decorations, Christmas gifts, or even classroom projects for the kids.
Paint stick scarecrow craft
If you’re crafting for Halloween or the fall season in general, scarecrow crafts are a great way to put your paint sticks to use. Line up several sticks vertically and glue a smaller one across the top as the brim of the scarecrow’s hat. Paint the scarecrow’s face below the brim, and use fabric (or ribbon) to create the scarf. This paint stick scarecrow can be hung on your door or placed in a covered garden as a cute fall decoration.
DIY wall art
Paint sticks are a popular choice for DIY, rustic-style wall art. You might consider arranging the sticks in a sunburst pattern, painting them in a color palette that matches your home’s decor, and then mounting them on a board for a beautiful, handmade art piece to showcase on your wall.
Paint stick picture frames
This is an easy and popular one for kids. For years, teachers have helped kids create fun and interesting custom picture frames with just a few paint sticks and a bit of glue. Even if you’re not making it for a class full of kids, you can cut your paint sticks to size, glue them together in a rectangular or square shape, and decorate them how you like (paint, stickers, small trinkets, and so on). Lastly, you just need to find the perfect photo or picture to put in the middle!
Wooden picket fence decor
A paint stick picket fence is a fantastic addition to home or garden decor. Just line up several paint sticks vertically, glue them onto a horizontal stick for support, and paint them white (or any color you like best). These tiny picket fences are perfect for creating displays with flowers, vines, and other natural and rustic embellishments.
Find the perfect crafts using paint sticks with Woodpeckers
Are you looking for simple materials to turn into beautiful works of art? Do you want to plan crafting days for yourself and your family? Finally, do you want to have one-of-a-kind crafts made from high-quality paint sticks? If so, Woodpeckers has everything you need!
With our premium-grade paint sticks, you can truly let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re making crafts for the holiday season or festive decorations that can be showcased in your home at any time of year, our craft paint sticks can get your project started with a bang! Be sure to check out our full collection of paint sticks for crafting, as well as our collection of popsicles and similar crafting materials!
Did you enjoy our paint sticks craft guide? Be sure to check out our wood paint sticks craft shop to find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
