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How to create shooting stars

Overview

This Christmas, no part of your home should be left undecorated! Add some festive cheer to your garden fence with this D.I.Y. decoration, creating a display of gorgeous shooting stars with just some balsa wood and fairy lights. 

This affordable and easy project sees fairy lights draped from a central star shape to create an illuminated trail. Repeated over your fence, you can create an entire wall of beautiful stars, a beautiful decoration for the Christmas period, or all year round. 

We’re using solar lights for this project, meaning they are incredibly sustainable and won’t cause your energy bills to skyrocket. Providing they are placed high enough on the fence, they are also child- and pet-friendly, making for a low-maintenance and low-cost option.

If you don’t have a garden or suitable outdoor wall, these shooting stars can also be installed inside, but should be kept close to a window for the solar lights to charge during the day.

Steps

  1. 1

    Gather your tools and materials

    Below you'll find all the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.
  2. 2

    Measure and cut the wood

    Start by estimating how large you'd like your star to be. If your balsa wood is quite long, you may need to cut it in half. If you do need to cut it, measure to halfway and use a hand saw to cut.  

  3. 3

    Form your star

    Form a star shape with your dowels. 

  4. 4

    Twine the wood

    Wrap twine over each point that the wood meets to secure the shape. Secure the twine with super glue and leave to dry.

  5. 5

    Wrap the fairy lights

    Wrap the fairy lights around the dowel, leaving a trail of lights that will create that shooting effect.

  6. 6

    Position the hooks

    It's time to determine where you'll hang your stars! Map out where the star will go on your fence and the three ends where the lights will trail the star to get that shooting star look. Once you know where you're going to hang it, affix your hooks to the designated area of the fence.

  7. 7

    Attach the star

    Hang the star on the end hook with your lights trailing to the other hooks on your fence.

  8. 8

    Hide the solar panel

    Use a planter or extra decorations to hide in front of your solar panel which will sit on the floor below your star.

  9. 9

    Start making!

    Looking for decorations for your outdoor area? Check out our range of solar fairy lights, perfect for all-year lighting. 

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.