You will need:
– Walnut veneer plywood
– Edge banding tape
– Clear polypropylene twine (you need about 40 ft.)
– Pipe cutter
– (3) 10 ft. ½-in. copper pipe rods
– (3) ½-in. copper pipe hanger
– Sander
– Clear creme wax
– Waxing brush
– Lint-free cloths
These materials are perfect for creating DIY Scandinavian Christmas decorations that bring a minimalist and cozy touch to your home.
Step 1: Create the Base
First things first, measure and cut your copper pipe into 30 pieces, all 10 in. lengths. Next, cut about a 10 ft. length of twine. Check out this tutorial and, using the same idea only a larger scale, start stringing together the first three pieces of tubing.
My personal recommendation throughout this project: Make sure you pull very tightly and tie a secure knot at the end of each triangle to prevent the twine from getting too loose. The tighter you can make each triangle the better. It’s also normal for the orb base to feel weak or a bit wobbly while you’re making it. Keep going! The stability of your end table comes together when all the pieces are assembled. If you run out of twine with your first piece of string, cut another 10ft. length and attach it to one of the corner joints.
Step 2: Cut the Table Top
Please note, walnut veneer plywood is usually a special order item so be sure to factor that into your plans if you need to create this for a specific date; or order extra if you’re worried about making a mistake. It also arrives unfinished so be prepared to apply a top coat to it to avoid staining.
First measure the diameter of the widest points of the side table base using a piece of twine. Fold the twine in half, mark the center, then lay it flat on the plywood. Tape the center down with a piece of painter’s tape. Then, take a pen and hold the end of the twine in your fingers as you draw out a circle. This is a nifty little trick if you don’t have an oversized protractor lying around. Finally, cut out the circle using a jigsaw.
Step 3: Finish the Table Top Edges
Since you’re working with plywood, after you cut the tabletop circle the edges will be unfinished. To finish it off, take strips of walnut veneer banding tape and apply them to the edges with iron-on glue. The tape is normally wider than you need it to be so just trim the excess with a box cutter. Then give the edges a gentle, low-grit sanding to smooth and even out.
Step 4: Apply Clear Wax to the Table Top
Using a waxing brush, apply a protective coat of clear wax to your tabletop. You can only apply to the “top” of your tabletop, but I recommend doing both sides as it really makes the grain of the veneer come alive. Use a lint-free cloth afterward to buff the wax smooth.
Step 5: Putting it All Together
Once the tabletop is dry, place it on the ground and place your base on top of it and fasten the base to the tabletop using three ½ inch copper pipe hangers. Make sure you use very short screws as you don’t want them to pop through your tabletop! If the exposed twine bothers you, paint it with liquid copper leaf found at your local craft store. Take a deep breath and relax – you’re done!