carrot

I realized my house was without carrot sticks.  After all, what’s a home without carrot sticks?  So, I set out to make some.  And, these are real carrot sticks, as in, they’re made out of sticks!

©Linda Nelson 2017

Perhaps you’d like to make some, too.  Here’s what you’ll need –

©Linda Nelson 2017

• pruners or small handsaw
• sticks (preferably weathered and easy to carve)
• pocket knife (mine has a slightly serrated blade)
• an awl (optional)
• a skewer (optional)
• green jute twine
• sandpaper
• acrylic paint
• glue

Begin by trimming irregular/uneven edges from each end of your stick with pruners or a saw.  Using the pocket knife, whittle away the narrower end of the stick to develop the pointed end of the carrot. Whittle/carve off the shoulder end of the carrot just enough to get a slightly rounded edge.  Finish off the shaping task with sandpaper.  Grab the knife(again) and lightly slice into various spots on the carrot’s surface perpendicular to its length.

• (optional) Using the awl, make a hole in the shoulder end of the carrot just deep enough to secure the pointed end of a skewer into.  This will make for the convenience of holding onto the skewer while painting the carrot)

Grab your paint and slap it on!  Now, cut a 4″ length or two of jute and knot them together in the center.  Lightly coat the jute with an alternate shade of green; this will give your carrot stem a more realistic look and stiffen it up a bit.  When dry, glue it to your carrot.  If necessary, trim the ends.

Voila!  You’ve just made a real carrot stick.

©Linda Nelson 2017

Now, go put yours on display!

©Linda Nelson 2017

©Linda Nelson 2017