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Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

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DIY Wood Stars

June 7, 2017

Let’s make something beautiful to hang on the walls.  And maybe also make a dent in that scrap wood pile.  These DIY wood stars pretty up any empty wall space by adding dimension and warmth.
diy wood stars

A DIY tutorial to make five pointed wood stars. Create three dimensional wood stars in various sizes using these free plans. A great scrap busting project.

Today we’re making wood stars for wall decor just in time for the holiday season.  The star shape can be tricky with its steep angles but I have the answer and I’ll show you how down below.
pottery barn milled log stars
image source
First let’s start with the inspiration.  I know you saw these milled log stars over at Pottery Barn and you love them too!  But I don’t think they are available anymore and I’m fairly certain we can make them for less than Pottery Barn was charging.
wood stars on wall

Wood Stars Details

These wood stars cost about $5 each depending on how many pieces you find in your scrap pile.  I used 1×3 boards but you could use 1×2 or even 1×4 for a chunkier look.  Also, I recommend making more than one star and vary the size.  Odd numbers are always pleasing to the eye and by having different sizes it keeps your eye moving.
wood stars from scrap wood
See how the depth of the boards creates so much dimension off the wall.  So before you can build these stars you need the plan, specifically those angles, in order to get the perfect star shape.
steep angle on wood stars

Plans

I turned to my fellow blogger engineer Jamison at Rogue Engineer who is handy not only with building projects but also with the technical side of things.  And Jamison has wood star plans here, including all the angled cuts you need to make a perfect 5 pointed star.  But before you go getting the plans quickly scroll down below for my building tips and process photos.
diy wood 5 pointed star
So in addition to Jamison’s plans you will probably need a wedge jig (unless you have a miter saw that can handle a steep miter cut).  Check my post here on how to build a wedge jig for a miter saw.
how to build a wedge jig
Below are the steps and process I used to make the wood stars.  Read through carefully before beginning your project.

Wood Star Supplies:

  • 1x3x8 pine board or multiple scrap pieces
  • miter saw
  • wedge jig
  • wood glue
  • staple gun and staples
  • nail gun
  • 3/4″ finish nails
  • sandpaper
  • stain
wedge jig on miter saw

Step 1:

Set up the wedge jig and make steep angle cuts.
wood on miter saw

Step 2:

Set the miter for the second angle, flip the wood, measure and cut.
star pieces dry fit

Step 3:

Repeat the process 5 times for each length.  Then do a dry fit making the wood star in order to test for accuracy.
angled pieces stapled together

Star Shape Assembly

Step 4:

To connect the pieces take one short and one long piece together at the 36 degree angle.  Glue and staple (see 2 pieces on right above).  Because the staples allow you some maneuvering you can make the shape perfect once you flip it over.  Flip the connected pieces over and use a finish nail on the visible side (see 3 pieces on right above).
seams connected using staples on the back

Step 5:

Layout all pieces – good side down – and glue and staple remaining joints.
attaching points using pneumatic nail gun

Step 6:

Flip star over to good side up, use 3/4″ finish nails to secure pieces.
handmade wood star complete

Wood Stars Finish

applying stain to a wood star

Step 7:

Sand rough edges and stain as desired.
diy wood stars on wall
Hang and enjoy!  I hung these stars from one single nail and they haven’t moved.  Can’t wait to dress them up for the holidays!

More Star Projects

Looking for more star projects for the holidays?  Check out this star tray with easier angles you can do without using a wedge jig.
SHOP THIS PROJECT:

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Filed Under: 4TH OF JULY, BUILD, DIY, HOME DECOR, SCRAP WOOD, SEASONAL25 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    November 5, 2014 at 2:41 PM

    I love these SO much!!

    Reply
  2. DaiseyJayne.com says

    November 6, 2014 at 12:13 PM

    These stars are fantastic and can go from season to season, love!

    Reply
  3. ANNE says

    November 6, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    so cute!! I adore these! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
  4. Our Pinteresting Family says

    November 7, 2014 at 5:38 PM

    Beautiful! They are great!

    Reply
  5. thistlewoodfarm says

    November 8, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    Jaime,

    I came over here to tell you that you made me laugh out loud this morning with your comment and then I saw those STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, please let me feature them on Thistlekeeping! Just one pic and I will link back to you. 🙂

    karianne

    Reply
  6. Bryan Born says

    December 3, 2014 at 2:25 AM

    So inspiring! I was looking for a Christmas project, and had just about decided to make routed trivets when I came upon your stars. Brilliant! (Couldn't resist the pun).

    Anyway, with a bit if creative measuring, yesterday I made two nesting stars out if 1×2 oak. They'll work well as trivets as we'll as being attractive on the kitchen wall. Thanks for the detailed instructions!

    Reply
  7. Daddywoofdawg says

    January 21, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    I've read this over and over it say's staple a long and a short but I don't see any measurements.

    Reply
  8. Philipp Timokhin says

    November 9, 2015 at 6:18 PM

    What is the measurements for your wood?

    Reply
  9. Reno Compare says

    November 26, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Great idea and great stpe by step instructions. We'd like to share this over at ours for our upcoming Christmas decorations post and I'll get a link to you when it's live…Thanks Jamie

    Reply
  10. Reno Compare says

    November 27, 2015 at 7:29 PM

    Here you go, hope you like it.

    http://www.renocompare.com/2015/11/wooden-christmas-decorations/

    Happy Holidays

    Reply
  11. Matt says

    October 26, 2017 at 12:04 PM

    Hi, I think it says one size is 6 inches long but it does not give the second size of wood piece, please let us know, thanks

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      October 26, 2017 at 12:11 PM

      Please reference the cut list in the plans: https://rogueengineer.com/diy-wooden-star-decor/

      Reply
      • Kristy D Nichols says

        November 14, 2021 at 7:29 PM

        How would you make them in different sizes?

        Reply
  12. Riley says

    June 27, 2018 at 12:03 AM

    Hi! These are beautiful . What color stain did you use ? And brand!
    Thanks so much

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      June 27, 2018 at 5:54 AM

      Thanks Riley, I believe the stain was Minwax Jacobean. Good luck!

      Reply
  13. rashad says

    January 17, 2019 at 4:18 PM

    Fantastic!
    But, could you please show us how it is hanged to the wall?
    Many thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      January 20, 2019 at 1:03 PM

      To hang the stars hammer two nails in directly in the crevice of two of the points. Alternatively you could attach a sawtooth hanger to the back.

      Reply
      • Larry Fasnacht says

        December 26, 2019 at 6:19 AM

        I’m trying to make the wooden star. It says to cut one angle at 54 degree and the other angle at 36 degree ,but it doesn’t say how to set up your miter saw to cut the 54 degree angle. What angle do I set my miter saw at to get the 54 degree angle cut?

        Reply
        • Jaime says

          December 26, 2019 at 7:40 AM

          Hi Larry, if your miter saw doesn’t cut that steep you can make the wedge jig linked in the post above which will let you cut steeper angles.

          Reply
  14. Nancy Stokaluk says

    November 20, 2020 at 3:38 PM

    I have 2 x 4s, I’d like to use to make these stars, do you know if there is different angles required? I tried what you had and does not work, they look crooked. Any help would be great…

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      November 21, 2020 at 7:43 AM

      Hi Nancy, I have not tried this project using 2×4 but since it’s thicker I’m assuming that will change the lengths on the cuts but not the angles. If I have a chance I’ll give it a whirl this weekend and report back.

      Reply
  15. Albert Buceivicius says

    April 21, 2021 at 3:57 PM

    I-‘ll have to try this you made sound so easy thanks Al

    Reply
  16. Mark Finklestein says

    December 5, 2021 at 2:42 PM

    Why don’t you have a set of plans to download?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      December 8, 2021 at 8:48 AM

      Hi Mark, the plans are linked in the post above.

      Reply

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