This week’s post is my first video tutorial in my new posting schedule and I’m super excited to share it with you! My hexagon-framed letterings always get compliments when they pop up in my Insta Story, so I thought it’d be a great first tutorial! Let’s get started!
To begin with, you need a bunch of things:
- Popsicle sticks (at least 18)
- Tacky glue or epoxy like E6000 — or any craft glue that dries clear
- Scrapbook paper or card
- Pencil + Ruler
- Penknife
- Lettering tools of your choice
You don’t need them, but I also created a couple of templates to make this go over easier, which you can get here!
If video isn’t your ball game, don’t worry. I got it all written and documented too 😉
1. Assemble your hexagon
This first step is the absolute easiest. If you already have the hexagon template printed, you just need to lay down three popsicle sticks on sides 1, 3 and 5. Dab some glue on the ends, then put down another three sticks on sides 2, 4 and 6 to join them up. After that, add another layer on 1, 3, 5.
This is the back of your frame, so put it aside and let the glue set.
If you didn’t download the template (Why not? It’s free!), you can grab a sheet of paper and a protractor and draw out a hexagon and work from there!
The front of the frame is easy: just repeat what you’ve done, but don’t stop on the third layer like you did with the back. Keep building, alternating layers until you have the depth you want. I was originally inspired by this hexagon shelf tutorial, and her shelves were 16 sticks deep!
Personally, I use about 7 a side on the thicker half. It has enough depth to be interesting and put small items, but not so much that the shadow cast will hide my framed lettering!
2. Cut your scrapbook paper
While you wait for the frame to dry, let’s work on your lettering! Grab your scrapbook paper — or card — and cut it down to size! If you have the template, this step is easy! Just trace it over and cut.
If not, your scrapbook paper should be larger than the empty space in the frame, but not bigger than the hexagon frame itself. You want it to sit in the centre of those popsicle sticks, but leave two small holes in the corner on top — that’s where your nails are going to come in!
3. Add your lettering
Now you’ve got it sized, letter away! There are many ways to do this. I typically centralise it, but you can also letter in an arch on top to frame what you’re going to place in the ‘shelf’ base of the frame!
I chose to letter this modified quote with Dr Ph. Martin’s Iridiscent Calligraphy Colors in Copper Plate Gold. The brush I used is a size 1 Rigger brush from Daler Rowney’s Graduate series.
Related:Â Behind-the-Scenes: How I Design My Calligraphy Prints
4. Put your hexagon frame together!
Once all the pieces are dry, whether from paint or glue, it’s time to put it together! Put the back half of the frame down first and put glue along the 3 popsicle sticks of the topmost layer facing you, then carefully place the lettering down, making sure the edges are within the sticks and stuck with glue.
Next, grab the front half and put glue on one layer of 3 sticks — it doesn’t matter which side here; it’s the same either way — and align it with the front layer. Make sure the glued sticks sandwich the paper, so if you glued sides 1, 3 and 5 on the back, make sure the same sides are glued on the front.
And you’re done! One hexagon frame for your lettering!
Of course, there are a couple of tips if you really want these to last. You may also consider laminating your work before moving on to the next step if you want to make it more lasting. I don’t bother, but I enjoy changing up parts of my decor every few years!
Related:Â 5 Ways to Break Your Creative Block
You can also add backing with very thick card — or perhaps the backs of old sketchpads — back of the paper so it’s sturdier.
And if you don’t like the natural colour of the popsicle sticks… No one’s stopping you from using the colourful ones, or even painting them a different colour altogether! You could have turquoise hexagon frames even!
I hope you have fun, and experiment away! That’s how I ended up coming up with this tutorial, after all! Until next time!