Easy DIY Tobacco Stick Stars and Gates

Grit Antiques
by Grit Antiques
2 Materials
We recently purchased a pile of tobacco sticks...like 5000!
The price was right so we brought them home and started to make stars and gates.
We used an old furniture cart to move bundles of them to our barn.


Tobacco sticks are like snowflakes, no two are ever alike.


This is what gives them their unique country charm.


They range anywhere from a 1/2 inch to an inch with varying lengths.
Here we have the start of a simple tobacco stick gate.


Lay the first few out and stagger them depending on how you want your gate to look.


I like the center to be the highest point.
Now take two tobacco sticks and make two straight cuts and two 45 degree cuts.
After you've made your cuts lay them in a "Z" shape.


Keep in mind that you don't need to make a "Z", but I like the look of it and it adds structural stability to the gate.


Use small nails or screws to secure the gate.


Once you have the tobacco sticks nailed into place cut the bottom straight across.
We also made several stars in different sizes.


These little stars are perfect year around, but definitely popular as we head into Fall and dare I say Christmas season!


For the stars, you'll need 2 or 3 tobacco sticks.


Cut them so that you have five identical lengths.


Then simply lay them out in a star pattern and fasten them together.


These are so easy to make and a cute addition to your porch paired with a wreath or little lights for the stars.


If you would like to see more of my adventures you can click the blog link below.


Happy Fall Decorating!
Suggested materials:
  • Tobacco sticks   (Saw)
  • Nails or Screws
Grit Antiques
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • Caroline O'Hare Caroline O'Hare on Sep 29, 2016
    They are lovely. Ha e never heard of tobacco sticks. Maybe uk doesnt have them. Could you explain what they are ease why named tobacco sticks etc. Thanks.
  • Doris Doris on Sep 29, 2016
    We recently tried to get more in the Lancaster Amish country, but could not find any. Do you know of sellers in that area? Thank you - we also making creations with them.
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6 of 22 comments
  • Poppy Poppy on Sep 30, 2016
    when we prune our trees I keep the twigs and make them into Christmas stars
  • Katie Katie on Sep 30, 2016
    I've speared more stalks of tobacco on to sticks than I care to remember. If we broke one wiggling it out of the ground Dad would always tell us he was docking our pay a quarter. If you broke enough off of the stick it wouldn't span the tier poles in the barn and who ever was hanging it would holler short stick and how ever was on the ground would pass up a stick to lay at an angle for the short stick to rest on. Glad those are just memories now!
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    • Grit Antiques Grit Antiques on Oct 04, 2016
      sounds like hard work Donna. I enjoy using them for my crafts and love the history. thanks for sharing!
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