So many cute bridges to choose from, but none that fit your fairy garden space exactly?
Why don't you do it yourself!
I will show you step by step how this fast and easy popsicle stick bridge is made, so you can make your own bridge that matches your preferred scale and dimensions.
Here's the story:
I've been into creating miniature fairy gardens lately.
I got this far (see above) when I decided the garden would look great with a bridge over the river rocks.
I searched far, and I searched wide, trying to find a relatively inexpensive bridge that would fit. I found many cute bridges on this epic search, but there were some major issues with the bridges that I saw.
#1 - They were too expensive...who wants to spend a fortune on a fun little hobby.
#2 - The bridges that I found were either too big, or way too small to fit the scale of the garden. Scale is important when creating a fairy garden (see this blog for details on scale).
#3 - Nothing I found really and truly fit the exact dimensions of my personal garden.
and lastly, #4 - I wanted a bridge now! I couldn't find anything close enough to perfect in any of the stores nearby, and who wants to order anything on-line and wait for it to arrive more than a week or 2 later?
So I decided to made my own bridge.
Directions:
You will need 5 or more popsicle sticks (depending on how long and wide you want the bridge)
Medium sized bowl of warm water
4 Shaker pegs from the hobby store
Wood glue
Saw and miter box
Drill with 1/32 in bit
Wood nippers or wire cutters
sandpaper
Picture wire or natural twine
1. Place 1 or 2 of the popsicle sticks into the warm water, soak as long as possible until the sticks are able to be bent. Keep the bent shape by placing the bent stick into the rim of a smaller vessel, until it dries bent.
2. Cut popsicle sticks to the width of plank that you desire. Make sure to cut enough of them to make sure the bridge will span the length desired. Sand the edges to make sure they are all smooth and even in length.
2. Cut popsicle sticks to the width of plank that you desire. Make sure to cut enough of them to make sure the bridge will span the length desired. Sand the edges to make sure they are all smooth and even in length.
3. Glue the "planks" perpendicular to the bent popsicle stick(s). Let dry.
4. Using a miter box and saw, cut each shaker peg to the height desired for your bridge. Sand the cut edges until they are all smooth and of equal height.
5. Drill a shallow hole near the top of each peg. You may drill through also, depending on if you wish your rope or cable will tie on the outside of the pole, or just connect with glue on the inside of the pole.
6. Glue the shaker pegs with the shallow drilled holes facing each other over the bridge for the cable to connect on each side of the bridge. Let dry.
7. Add cable or rope by inserting the rope or picture wire into the drilled holes with glue (if drilled through, tie knot on the outside of the pole facing away from the bridge).
8. Stain bridge using diluted brown acrylic paint in water. Use as many coats of stain as needed to attain desired color. Let dry. Spay with sealant to keep moisture out.
8. Stain bridge using diluted brown acrylic paint in water. Use as many coats of stain as needed to attain desired color. Let dry. Spay with sealant to keep moisture out.
Then, add your fabulous bridge to your garden.
