Fake Firecrackers from Cardboard Tubes

I’ll be perfectly honest- in the months leading up to summer, I struggled to come up with a single patriotic project idea. I bemoaned this to everyone- my husband, my friends, and my mom. But it all changed on a dime when I went to a new favorite thrift store and found this star basket for a dollar. I knew right away that I could jazz it up into Independence Day decorations with some fake firecrackers!

Now, mind you- I’ve already created a patriotic centerpiece project on my blog before. Remember this repurposed colander?

But I couldn’t help but think I could go in a slightly different direction with this basket. Besides, it was literally just sitting there, as if someone else had pulled it out, mulled it over, and set it back.

As if it was on display for the repurposing blogger (ME!) that hadn’t yet made it down that aisle.

I had the vision in my head and now I had the perfect basket to repurpose it into fruition!

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Patriotic Decor and Independence Day Decorations

First, I prepped the white wicker basket for painting (i.e., wiping down and blowing out any dust with compressed air).

While the white paint would have worked for July 4^th, of course, I wanted the basket to have a bolder look that would pop and get noticed. Initially, I planned on just using some blue craft paint to bring it to life.

But I HATED the result. The color was on target, but that was the only good thing about it.

And no, I’m not sharing a two-bit photo of my two-bit paint job, haha!

Let’s just say that I stomped my feet and set up shop to spray paint it- which was a HUGE improvement.

Next, I could focus on the fun part: Creating some fake fireworks (inspired by Country Living’s website) with cardboard rolls or paper towel tubes!

So, I gathered my craft rolls and some other supplies, including tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and scrapbook paper!

Fake Fireworks with Cardboard Tubes

There are lots of ways to make these fake firecrackers, but this is what I ended up using:

• Paper towel tubes; 
• Decorative craft paper;
• Tissue paper;
• Pipe cleaners;
• Clear tape; and
• Vintage July 4^th images from The Graphics Fairy.

With my craft supplies spread out in front of me, I cut a long, narrow rectangle of tissue paper, wrapped it around one end of a cardboard tube (with about 1¼” of overhang) and taped it in place.

Then, I plopped a pipe cleaner inside the tube and tightly wound the tissue paper overhang around the pipe cleaner (like a piece of hard candy is wrapped). This created my firecracker “wick”.

Next, I measured enough craft paper to cover most of my paper towel tubes and taped it in place, allowing a bit of tissue paper to show at the top near the wick.

All that was left was adding the old postcards that I printed out from The Graphics Fairy!

Again, I used clear tape, but Mod Podge or a glue stick should work as well. I just didn’t want to deal with the mess!

How cute are those? I think these might be my favorite kind of firecracker: DIY, vintage, and silent so they won’t terrorize our kitties!

Fake Firecrackers from Cardboard Tubes for Independence Day Decorations

Now I could assemble the Independence Day decorations! First, I put a few handfuls of river stones in the bottom of the wicker basket.

This gave it some weight to prevent getting knocked down or blown over.

Then, I layered in some packing peanuts to stabilize the fake firecrackers, and I filled in the star basket with some festive party decor.

Perfect and fun-to-make Independence Day decorations for a 4th of July party or barbecue!

And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for Independence Day decorations, then you may also be interested in my American flag decor, as well!

Craft on!

S

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