Crafty Ice Cream Soda Straw Caddy

Over the last 2-3 years I have been getting craftier and craftier ... "yes, you have" I hear my husband saying....    Especially when I hear about a party or event with a theme - then I get excited and can't seem to help but get involved and offer to make stuff!   Getting creative on a budget is what I kind of go for - trying to recreate a look spendthrift style.  But I mostly just wing it, :)

When I first saw the post about a DIY straw caddy using recycled materials on "I gotta create"  - I thought YES I can make that!  - plus I needed a straw holder :)   What an awesome idea and cheap! Loving it!  So I saved the link to do it one day......

A lady I know is having a 50's style wedding and when she saw my facebook share about it she asked if I could make her a few.  What faith!  (I have never actually met her!)  She and her wedding inspired me to Have A Go at these straw holders, with creative license of course.  My guess is that without that push I still wouldn't be any closer to ever making one! 

But now.... WALLAH!    I have done it!  Well 1.....the prototype... I am getting there - I am waiting for recycled materials to fall into my lap.....

What you need: 
Pringles Chip Tin  ( cheaper version of course - empty and clean)
600ml water /drink bottle.   Cut in half - you need the bottom
1 skewer
Hot Glue gun
Paint and/or pretty wrapping paper / scrapbook paper
Foam ball shape
Hobby fill
Red paper ball / Bead / Fake Cherry 
Ribbon / Craft embellishment / glitter

Step 1 - Paint the tin ( to cover the fact that it is a chip container - in case your paper is a bit see through). I don't think it has to be perfect as you can tell in my photo...  I suppose it depends on the quality of your wrapping paper.  After paint has dried, wrap the tin with the paper of your choice.  (I tried spray glue but that didnt really work for me - I ended up just using a bit of double sided tape). Of course if you are more artistic than me you can freehand paint a design...  

Step 2 - Take your skewer and mount your foam ball and then your "cherry".  (After stuffing around for ages with the pringles lid  - it warped when I cut some notches in it.  I thought it was too grabby, especially for the heavy use of a wedding/party.  Finally realised that I didnt really need the lid as the ball would be like a stopper in the top anyway! Duh!).  I glued a little stick/stem into the top of my paper ball cherry to make it look a bit more the part.  I had a great beaded necklace that I was going to pull apart- but my 6yr old daughter would not allow that - it was from her dress up box after all.... Oh well..

Step 3 -  Using kitchen scissors cut your plastic bottle in half or thirds (whatever works) . This is your holder / lift for the straws.  Punch a hole in the bottom for the skewer and hot glue underneath.  You will need something pointy and sharp as those bottles can be quite tough... and while I did eventually find my hubby's soldering iron and melted a hole, I DO NOT recommend this.  My husband was not impressed when he found out! Oops! 

At this point you could paint or ribbon wrap your skewer.  I do love ribbon...

Step 4 - Warning - this step got messy!  Cover the foam ball with PVA Glue and stick the hobby fill all over it - not too thick as it will look out of proportion.  Also it doesnt need to be too thick at the bottom where it meets the can nor around the cherry.  Allow to dry - will take a while.

Step 5 - Embellish!  I put a little spray glue over the hobby fill and sprinkled some hot pink glitter.  My first idea had been to skewer 2 pieces of intersecting ribbon between the foam ball and cherry - to look like a drizzle of syrup topping.... didn't really work out for me but that could have been because I didnt have the right ribbon...    

Wrap some ribbon around the entire thing or make a "Straws" Label and you are done.  If you can think of any other variations of this project I would love to hear them and /or see them!