This Crafty DIY Turns Popsicle Sticks Into A Unique Geometric Planter Shelf

Trend-forward planter shelves can get pricey quickly, especially if you want to style greenery in every room of the house. Thankfully, TikTok has affordable DIYs for displaying your plants that look more expensive than they are. Case in point: a geometric shelf made from popsicle sticks. Reminiscent of a honeycomb, this lightweight shelf works best propped on a tabletop and styled with small plants or other lightweight trinkets. (Because it's made from popsicle sticks, it's not meant to hold anything heavy.) It takes a little finesse and patience to get the spacing and shape correct on this shelf, so it might not be the best project for total beginners or young children. But if you have a little experience under your belt, this is a fun and impressive craft to do in an afternoon. To make it, you'll need a sheet of paper, a pencil, a ruler, a large box of popsicle sticks, a hot glue gun, paint, and optional adhesive embellishments to customize it.

To create this shelf, TikToker @deeps_crafts drew a simple hexagon outline on a sheet of paper to act as a template, with each side measuring the same length as a popsicle stick. That makes it easy to line up the popsicle sticks in the same dimensions, then hot-glue the ends of each stick together. After the seven individual hexagons are made, they are attached using hot glue in rows of two and three, forming a geometric frame for the front and back of the shelf. After that, all that is left is connecting the two sides of the shelves with more popsicle sticks — this time glued on horizontally to create a flat platform within each hexagon. The project is finished with a coat of vibrant blue paint and adhesive metal embellishments, then styled on a tabletop with small potted flowers.

A package of 500 popsicle sticks typically retails for less than $20, making this an affordable craft, especially if you already have a little acrylic paint on hand. 

@deeps_crafts

Planter Shelf DIY using Ice cream sticks #crafts #idea #homedecor

♬ Alan Walker-style EDM that feels the universe(1030356) – Tierra

Once you have the concept down, there are countless ways to change it up. For a slightly more weighty and durable shelf, you might glue together two layers of popsicle sticks. You can also coat it in mod podge to help it resist any water dripping from your plants. If you'd like the shelf to look a little more elegant, try sanding the popsicle sticks and tinting them with wood stain, then using wood filler to hide any glue seams after you've connected them. Add a stick-on hook to hang a small bauble (like a suncatcher) or use an adhesive LED strip along the edges to showcase your plants and create a warm glow at night. You might even add a backing to the shelf using cork board or sturdy, patterned cardstock.

This shelf is also endlessly customizable to fit your home's decor. Use neutral colors and minimal plants for a Japandi inspired design. Or coat the popsicle sticks in chalk paint and lightly sand the edges of the sticks for a rustic, farmhouse look. Take a page from the TikToker's handbook and paint it light blue. Then hot glue on small seashells and style with ceramic planters or drinking glasses to add a coastal vibe to the kitchen. As long as you don't overload it, the sky is the limit with this lightweight shelf project.