Holiday Decorating // DIY Hanging Brass Stars

THE FARMHOUSE

*this post is sponsored by Bernzomatic

We’re making a homespun kind of Christmas this year – paper stars, homemade baubles, popcorn garlands – and I asked Garrett to make me some hanging brass stars. The result was so much better than I even imagined! So today we’re sharing the step-by-step tutorial for this surprisingly-easy holiday decorating DIY. And yes, you get to use a torch!  

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Aren’t these brass stars fun? I’ve been on the hunt for something like this for at least five years. I don’t know where I got the idea (Pinterest?) but I never found any. So this year, with so much time at home, I finally asked Garrett to make me some. And he had these whipped up so quickly that I’m kicking myself for not asking earlier!

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com
DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com
DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Let’s get started!



DIY Brass Hanging Star

Time: 30 minutes


Tools:

Bernzomatic TS3500 Torch

Bernzomatic Propane

Vise-grip

Impact driver or Drill

Pliers

Clamp

Star Template

Materials

Brass rod, 1/8”  x 3’ (available at hardware stores or here on Amazon)

10 stout screws, #10

¾” Plywood, ~12” x 16”

Video



Steps

Step 1

Clamp the plywood onto a worktable or bench

Step 2

Tape the template onto the plywood

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 3

Drive the screws into each vertex of the star. Don’t screw them all the way in. You want to leave about ~1/2” of each screw above the plywood

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 4

Attach the brass rod to the outside of the screw at the top point of the star with ~1”extra 

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 5

Bend the rod around each screw, tracing the outline of the template. The rod is pretty easy to bend with just your hand

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 6

Once you have returned to the top of the star, remove the brass shape from the plywood jig

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 7

Clamp the shape vertically to your workbench so you can heat the ends with the torch safely.

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 8

Once the rod is heated and pliable, use pliers to bend a curved hook on the long side and then make a smaller catch on the short side. The metal will be hot so only use the pliers to touch the metal and wear gloves

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 9

If needed twist the hook to allow the catch to seat securely (watch the video for more clarification)

DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

Step 10

Once the metal has cooled down, you can adjust the star’s shape with your hands to get it to your liking. 

Step 11

Use greenery (attached with floral wire), ribbon, and twine to ornament and hang your brass stars


DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com
DIY hanging brass stars for holiday decorating - www.thegritandpolish.com

That’s it! Pretty easy, huh?! Tag us on Instagram if you create one of these…we’d love to see it!