Submitted by: Chris Barnardo

Supplies

1 sheet of A4 or US letter sized paper



Double-sided tape



Hot melt glue gun



Hot melt glue sticks



Scissors



Acrylic paint in desired colors



Spray paint in desired base color



Gold rubbing paste

Instructions

Stick a strip of double-sided tape diagonally across the paper.

Roll the paper starting in the corner and roll diagonally, rolling one end very slightly less than the other so that it is tapered at one end.

Roll until reaching the double sided tape, then roll over this so that the tapered roll sticks to it.

Smear the free corner of the paper with a little PVA glue (Elmer's Glue) so that entire surface will be covered in the glue when it is rolled up.

Then continue to roll the wand tightly and hold it until it is dry.

After about 20 or 30 minutes for the wand will be dry.

As the PVA glue hardens, it should become much stiffer.

When dry trim a little bit off of both ends of the wand to make the ends straight.

Carefully dribble glue from the hot melt glue gun into both ends of the wand one at a time, waiting till each end is set.

For the bigger of the two ends, pack the end with a little rolled up tissue pushed down a bit with a pencil to reduce the amount of glue that will be needed.

Take care to achieve rounded ends, and as the glue is setting make sure to rotate the wand to stop the glue from slumping to one side or dripping over the edge.

These steps may need to be performed twice on the larger end, however, if you the small end is wound tightly enough, it will not need filled twice.

Author's Note: If a stiff and very robust wand is desired, then after plugging the little end, but before plugging the big end, then fill the wand with quick setting, two part expoxy resin. Use the 5 minute setting version rather than the really fast 90 second version and carefully dribble the glue down the inside of the wand, making sure not to get it on the outside. In the case that a little does get on the outside, just wipe it off carefully and quickly, as it will later be painted over.

Holding the wand in one hand and the glue gun in the other slowly rotate the wand between finger and thumb, gently squeezing out glue from the glue gun onto the surface of the wand, trying to keep it even and make a nice pattern.

Start with one or two rings at the thicker end, leaving a space for the grip area, then make a criss-cross lattice effect lower down the wand by rotating and moving the glue gun along the wand at the same time.

As the glue sets rotate the wand in the air to make sure that no uneven drips build up.

The glue should be set in about a minute or so, but might be tacky for a couple more minutes so be careful when laying to down to set.

Apply a base coat to the wand to seal it with spray paint, allowing ample drying time.

Paint on the wand's main color.

Paint the whole surface but don't worry if it isn't too even, in fact this will make it look more like a natural material.

Prepare to start distressing the wand by mixing up a wash of black. NOT too washy, but enough so that it remains wet long enough to be able to wipe it off.

Author's Note: Do not paint the whole wand before starting to wipe the paint off otherwise it will dry and you won't be able to wipe it off.

Wipe off the paint as you go along.

Use a damp cloth or piece of kitchen towel.

Dab and wipe, if you are not happy with the effect paint over and wipe more.

What you are trying to achieve is the natural look of grime and aging that collects in the cracks and corners.

You won't be able to wipe all the paint off and some will collect in the corners round the glue gun glue and this will make it look really old.

Work on the handle area, in real life handles get worn more so will be shinier and have less dark areas.

Look at the work and wipe and paint until you are happy with the results.

Don't be afraid to go back a stage and add more lighter colours and then repeat the distressing if you want to get the right effect.

Always allow drying time between layers.

Using your finger tip apply some gold rubbing paste to the raised bits of the wand.

Final Product

Credit

© Chris Barnardo's tutorial was taken with permission from dadcando.com.