DIY

4 5 6

DIY Fence Post Firecrackers

Story & photos by Emily Olson

Add some rustic Americana charm to your home this 4th of July with larger-than-life fence post firecrackers. Old, reclaimed posts work perfectly. Look for something rugged with a lot of texture. The rougher, the better! Simple color-blocking with painter’s tape and star “stickers” creates a classic, vintage look without a lot of fuss.

SUPPLIES • 4-inch post cut to three varying lengths (12, 14 and 18 inch shown here) • Jute craft rope • Galvanized wire • Painter’s tape • Stars cut from adhesive vinyl (or contact paper) • Paint: red, white and blue • Spray acrylic sealer

DIRECTIONS 1. Cut posts to desired lengths.

2. Paint the entire post with white paint and let dry completely.

3. Once the white paint is dry, adhere the stars and painter’s tape to the post and paint over them with the blue or red paint. Avoid working the paint into the crevices of the wood. Allowing some of the white and raw wood to peek through gives it an instant aged look.

4. Remove the stars/tape to reveal the white paint.

5. Cut the jute rope into 9 inch lengths and wrap a small piece of tape around one end to keep it from fraying.

6. Use a 3/8” bit to drill a hole about 1 inch deep and insert the taped end of the rope.

7. To keep the rope “wick” upright, wrap the wire around the base of the rope and gradually wrap it upward, disguising it in the lines of the rope.