How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Fairy Wand | Pinky DIY Tutorial

During this project, you will use pipe cleaners to create the following components:

You will also need the following materials:

Part 1: How to Make the Large Bow Loops

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while creating your own Starlight Bow LED Magic Wand.

If you purchased the White Starlight Bow DIY Kit, use the white pipe cleaners for this step.If you purchased the Pink Starlight Bow DIY Kit, simply use the pink pipe cleaners throughout this section.

Start by taking one pipe cleaner and folding it in half. Twist it tightly at a point 2 cm (about 1 inch) from the folded end.

From the twisted section, measure 4 cm (about 1.5 inches) along each side and bend the pipe cleaner outward. Gently open the shape until it forms a neat triangle.

Repeat this step to make a second identical triangle. Place the two triangles together and twist their 2 cm (about 1 inch) center sections tightly so they become one connected piece.

Next, take another pipe cleaner to create the side frame. Attach one end to one of the upper corners of the first triangle. Measure 4 cm (about 1.5 inches), then connect it to the matching upper corner of the second triangle.

Continue using the same pipe cleaner to connect the remaining pair of corners on the opposite side. Once finished, the structure should resemble a simple three-dimensional frame. This frame will provide the shape and support for the finished bow.

Finally, use pipe cleaners in the matching color to fill the frame. If you are making the Pink Starlight Bow, use the pink pipe cleaners included in your kit. If you are making the White Starlight Bow, simply repeat the same process using the white ones until the frame is fully covered.

Finish the Edge

Once the large bow loop has been completely filled, it's time to create a clean, finished edge.

Apply a thin line of hot glue all the way around the outer edge of the bow loop. Then carefully attach one new pipe cleaner along the edge, pressing gently as you go until it is fully secured.

If you are making the Pink Starlight Bow DIY Kit, use a butter yellow pipe cleaner to outline the edge. If you are making the White Starlight Bow DIY Kit, simply use a white pipe cleaner instead.

Finally, gently press the bow loop downward with your hands and adjust its shape until it looks smooth, full, and symmetrical. Don't worry if it isn't perfect at first—you can continue reshaping the pipe cleaners until you're happy with the final look.

You will need two bow loops like this for the finished bow.

Step 2: Make the Small Bow Loops

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while creating your own DIY starlight bow.

If you are making the Pink Starlight Bow DIY Kit, use the butter yellow pipe cleaners for this step. If you are making the White Starlight Bow DIY Kit, continue using the white pipe cleaners.

The small bow loops are made using the same construction method as the large bow loops, but with different measurements.

Take one pipe cleaner and leave 4 cm (about 1½ inches) at one end. From the end of this unused section, measure 2 cm (about ¾ inch), then fold and twist the pipe cleaner to form a small triangle.

Repeat the same process to make two identical small triangles.

Connect the matching upper corners of the two triangles with another pipe cleaner, leaving 4 cm (about 1½ inches) between them. Then connect the remaining pair of corners to create the same 3D triangular frame used for the large bow loops.

Fill the frame by wrapping pipe cleaners back and forth across the opening until it is completely covered. Keep each wrap close to the previous one so the finished loop looks full, soft, and even.

If you are making the Pink Starlight Bow DIY Kit, use a pink pipe cleaner to finish the edge of the small bow loop. If you are making the White Starlight Bow DIY Kit, use a white pipe cleaner instead.

Step 3: Make the Four-Point Star

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram video tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while creating your own four-point star.

If you are making the Pink Version DIY Kit, use a yellow pipe cleaner to make the four-point star. If you are making the White Version DIY Kit, use a white pipe cleaner instead.

Step 1: Make the Star Frame

Take one pipe cleaner and use a ruler to measure 5 cm (about 2 inches). Bend the pipe cleaner at the measured point.

Continue measuring another 5 cm (about 2 inches) section and bend again. Repeat until you have four equal 5 cm (about 2 inches) sections.

After measuring the fourth section, cut off the remaining tail at the end of the final 5 cm (about 2 inches) section.

Apply a small amount of hot glue to join the two ends together, creating a diamond-shaped frame.

Using your fingertips, gently press the center of each side inward. Repeat on all four sides until the diamond transforms into a neat four-point star frame.

Step 2: Fill the Star

Using another pipe cleaner in the same color, begin filling the frame by wrapping it across the star one row at a time. Keep each row snug against the previous one until the entire frame is evenly filled.

Step 3: Finish the Edge

Once the star is completely filled, apply a thin line of hot glue around the outer edge. Then wrap a deep yellow pipe cleaner around the border to neatly cover the edge, just like you did for the small loop in the previous step.

Gently reshape the four points until the star looks even and symmetrical.

Repeat the same process to make a second four-point star. You will need two four-point stars for the finished Starlight Magic Wand.

Step 4: Make the Ribbons

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram video tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while creating your own ribbons.

If you are making the Pink Version DIY Kit, use pink pipe cleaners for this step. If you are making the White Version DIY Kit, use white pipe cleaners instead.

Step 1: Build the Ribbon Frame

Take three pipe cleaners. Attach the end of one pipe cleaner to the end of another at a 90° angle using a small amount of hot glue.

On one of the pipe cleaners, measure 2 cm (about 1 inch) from the first joint. Apply another small amount of hot glue at this point and attach the third pipe cleaner.

Fold the pipe cleaner holding the other two upward, then begin wrapping it around the two parallel pipe cleaners.

While wrapping, keep the distance between the two parallel pipe cleaners at 2 cm (about 1 inch) at all times. This ensures the ribbon maintains a consistent width from top to bottom.

Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the pipe cleaner. If you run out of length before finishing, simply attach another pipe cleaner with a small amount of hot glue and continue wrapping until the frame is fully covered.

Step 2: Finish the Edge

Once the ribbon has been completely wrapped, it's time to finish the edge.

If you are making the Pink Version DIY Kit, use a butter yellow pipe cleaner to outline the ribbon. If you are making the White Version DIY Kit, use a white pipe cleaner instead.

Apply a thin line of hot glue around the outer edge of the ribbon and carefully attach the pipe cleaner along the border, just as you did in the previous steps.

When you reach one of the short ends of the ribbon, gently press the center inward with your fingertips. This creates the characteristic swallowtail (V-cut) shape at the end of the ribbon.

Repeat the same process to make a second matching ribbon. You will need two ribbons for the finished Starlight Magic Wand.

Step 5: Make the Small Stars

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram video tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while creating your own small stars.

Using the pipe cleaners included in your DIY kit, make approximately 6–7 small stars in different colors.

1: Make the Star Frame

Take one pipe cleaner and bend the tip at approximately one to one and a half finger joints from the end.

Continue bending the pipe cleaner up, down, up, and down to form four points.

Twist the short end together with the remaining long tail to secure the shape. This creates the small star frame.

2: Shape the Star

Prepare a lighter or a candle. Always use the outer part of the flame and keep your hands a safe distance away to avoid burns.

Briefly heat each of the four points of the star. This will help the tips become sharper and more defined.

Next, lightly pass the long tail through the outer flame to remove the fuzzy fibers from the pipe cleaner. The finished star will have a cleaner, more radiant appearance.

3: Assemble the Star Cluster

Take one of the large four-point stars you made in the previous step.

Arrange the small stars behind the large star in a scattered, radiating pattern, then secure them with hot glue.

Adjust the position of each small star until the cluster looks balanced and evenly distributed. Set it aside for the final assembly.

Step 6: Assemble the Starlight Magic Wand

Prefer watching the full making process? Follow the Instagram video tutorial below first, then use the illustrated guide and written instructions underneath while assembling your Starlight Magic Wand.

Step 1: Wrap the Bamboo Stick

Take the bamboo stick included in your DIY kit. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the top of the stick, then begin wrapping it tightly with a white pipe cleaner.

This step is the same for both versions of the kit. Whether you are making the Pink Version or the White Version, always use the white pipe cleaner for this first layer.

Continue wrapping downward while applying small amounts of hot glue as needed, keeping each wrap tightly against the previous one until you reach the bottom of the bamboo stick.

Step 2: Wrap the Ribbon

Take the ribbon included in your DIY kit and wrap it around the entire bamboo stick from top to bottom.

Next, take another white pipe cleaner and wrap it over the ribbon. Unlike the first layer, leave approximately 1 cm (about ½ inch) between each wrap so the ribbon remains visible underneath.

Step 3: Make the Handle

At the bottom of the bamboo stick, tightly wrap the handle using pipe cleaners for approximately 5–8 cm (about 2–3 inches).

If you are making the Pink Version DIY Kit, use pink pipe cleaners. If you are making the White Version DIY Kit, use white pipe cleaners.

Step 4: Assemble the Bow

Attach the two large bow loops to the top of the bamboo stick using hot glue.

Next, glue the two purple decorative pipe cleaners in place.

Attach the two small bow loops in front of the large loops, then glue the two ribbon tails you made earlier onto the back of the bow.

Gently bend the ribbon tails by hand to create a natural flowing curve.

Step 5: Install the LED Star

Take the LED light string included in your DIY kit. Carefully bend each LED outward so that all of the lights spread outward in a radiating pattern.

Glue the prepared LED light onto the back of the completed star cluster that you made earlier.

Once the glue has cooled, attach the entire star-and-light assembly to the front of the bow.

Finally, hide the LED battery box by gluing it either behind the bow or onto the back of the wand, whichever you prefer.