DIY - Rustic Arrows

Thanks again for all of your kind comments on my Valentine Mantel, I really appreciate each and everyone of them. These arrows were part of the mantel display, and as promised this post contains the instructions on how you can make them.

I went for a rustic look on my mantel, the old window, the crackled heart, the old patina on the beaded hearts... The arrows had to be rustic too I couldn't go for feathers and cute pinky stuff, but you can vary the directions to your own needs.

The materials you'll need:

• Round dowels (¼ x 48) - Each dowel makes two arrows.
• Paint -spray paint and/or acrylic paints.
• Small section of air ducting
• Scissors
• Brush 
• Hand saw
• Hot glue gun
• Gloves

Directions

Each dowel was cut in two (random lengths), mainly because I wanted my arrows to be proportionate to the art piece on the mantel. If you want smaller arrows you can cut each dowel in three parts.

Then, they were all spray painted, you can use acrylic paints too, but I think it goes faster with spray paint. Two coats of brown and some yellow and orange specks were added to give them an old vibe.

For the arrow-heads and fletching I used metal air ducting. I've been using this same piece to create tags for a herb garden and a wire basket, so I decided to use the same remaining material for the arrows. This material is strong but it cuts nicely with scissors, use gloves while cutting it.

The corrugated edge gave some of the arrow-heads a really nice texture.

Bend each piece in half.

Again, because of the rustic look I was going for, each metal part was painted gold and/or dark silver tones. Once dry, they can be hot glued by sandwiching two arrow-head pieces to one end of the dowel, and the fletching to the other end.

As a final detail you can also add bits of color to the arrow shaft.

I like that they are strong. The pointy arrow-heads are not going to bend easily.

They are now adorning my Valentine mantel, but they can be use in almost any setting.

The leather tassel accessory was recycled from an old lady bag. ;)


For more DIY Home decor ideas check these out:

DIY - Metal Tags for Herb Garden

Recycled Beaded Hearts

Make a Wire Basket

Thanks for stopping by!






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