I’ve seen some beautiful Christmas stars made from repurposed yardsticks and rulers and decided to make my own upcycled Christmas star to use as holiday home decor or on the top of my Christmas tree. I love the rustic and unexpected look and upcycled decor is always my favorite, no matter what time of year it is.
When I found this strange measuring contraption {it’s not a typical ruler} for fifty cents at my local ReStore, I decided to make my own version of an upcycled star.
This contraption has different marked measurements on it, unlike a standard ruler, and I have no idea what it actually is or what it was previously used for. If you know, I’d love to hear! Leave me a note in the comments.
To make this upcycled Christmas star, I removed the eye screws but left the already attached, hinged pieces intact and then cut them down to size.
The pieces all measured nine inches except for the top crossbar. To make it look right on the star, I had to cut it slightly shorter but I think that was to accommodate the joining grommet.
I drilled holes at each end and then used the original hardware to join it all together in the shape of a star . The original hardware is kind of funky looking, a bit distressed, and I like it. Newer hardware would have stood out too much on this piece.
Once attached together, I rubbed the star with some Minwax stain to give it a bit more of a vintage appearance and now I have a new upcycled star for the top of my Christmas tree. I think it’ll look great with the jute webbing I used on the tree last year.
It definitely has a quirky appearance, which is always my favorite. What’s on the top of your Christmas tree?
That is so adorable! I love how you used those nuts/bolts/screws–makes the star look industrial vintage–thank you for the inspiration. Have a great day!
Oh. my. goodness. Randi!!! I love what you did with that whatever-it-is!!! How creative…it’s so awesome that you were able to see that fantastic star in that jumble of ruler-type-things…;)
I was not at all sure where you were going with this in the first picture but wow! It looks great! Since you’re in Christmas mode… maybe some bling for your tree?
Randi–Since no one answered your question, I will. Your “contraption” is (was) a pantograph. In the olden days (way before copiers and computers) these tools were used by draftsmen to reduce, or enlarge drawings (or reproduce them at 100%). Once the pantograph is set for the size you want, you trace the original drawing with the stylus end and the weighted pencil at the far end recreates the image on another sheet of paper. I have inherited the one my mother used (she did drafting and cartography) and while I would never cut it up despite how clever your star is, I do have a broken folding rule that was my father’s and it would work up into a star with little effort as each segment of equal length and they can be easily manipulated into a star shape. Thanks for the charming idea! Best, L
Thanks so much for the answer to my question! I’ve always wanted to know!