Christmas D.I.Ys - Balsa Wood Tree

In our latest issue, Rose and Sarah of crushes.co.nz share their festive decorating tips. Here's their step-by-step guide to making simple, stylish decorations with balsa wood.

This D.I.Y is really easy and effective. You could take the basic concept and use it to make decorations of all sorts and sizes! 

You will need:

– Balsa wood (available at a craft or model making store, such as Spotlight)
– A chopping board
– A sharp craft knife
– A sharpie
– Super glue (only if you’re planning on making a big item – we wanted at least the width of two boards)

If you’re making a big item, glue two pieces of balsa wood together and allow to dry.

Draw in the shape you would like (for us it was a triangle). Then measure out where the middle is and cut out a slot form; one rectangle going from the half way mark to the bottom of one triangle, and then from the half way mark to the top of the other triangle. Make the slot form width the same thickness as your balsa wood.

Cut both the triangle shape and the slot form using your sharp kraft knife using lots of shallow and careful cuts. The balsa wood is fragile so a gentle touch is key here.

Draw whatever you heart desires on your shapes - you can even do something on the edges!

Slot the two pieces together and there way have it! A beautiful, easy and super modern piece for your house and table this holiday season.