Paper straws are a great way to add a unique touch to an event.Sometimes you can't find the exact color or pattern you need, and they can get expensive.It is possible to make paper straws at home.All you need to start is some paper, glue and wax.
Step 1: Cut patterned scrapbooking paper into strips.
You can find 12 by 12 in (30 by 30 cm) scrapbooking paper in a pattern that you like, then use a paper slicer or paper guillotine to cut it into 1 2 in wide strips.The number of strips you cut is up to you.One straw will be made by each strip.If you want to make straws, don't use scrapbooking cardstock; it's too heavy and stiff to hold curls.Printer paper can be used for straws.Look for patterned paper.A medium-weight paper is 60 to 65 lbs.
Step 2: Glue the back of a strip to the long edge.
The back is visible if you flip a strip over.Draw a line of liquid glue on one of the long edges.The glue should be applied 4 inch from the edge.The narrow edges of the strip should not be affected by the glue.The back of the paper is usually white.Work on the side that you don't want to be seen on double-sided paper.If the glue says "non-toxic" on the bottle, it will work.Make the line as thin as possible.
Step 3: At the end of the strip, place a 4 in (0.64 cm) thick dowel.
The corner that has the glue on it should be sticking out.The un-glued edge of the paper should be facing the rest.The dowel should be about 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) long.It will be much easier to work with this.If you can't find a short one, use a hand saw or shears to cut a longer one.
Step 4: Wrap the paper around the dowel.
Make sure you overlap the paper enough so that the edge doesn't touch wood.It would be good to have over 4 inch (0.64 cm).This is similar to making a candy cane, except that you don't leave any gaps between the stripes.Don't roll it too tightly or it will be hard to remove, but keep the paper snug so that it holds its shape.Glue the end of the paper down if it doesn't stay down.
Step 5: Allow the paper to dry overnight by removing it from the dowel.
The paper shouldn't be torn apart after you slide it off the dowel.Wrap painter's tape around the ends of the paper to make sure it doesn't come off.Painter's tape is easy to remove and doesn't leave a mess.You can use the dowel to create more if you remove the first straw.
Step 6: To make the straws flat, trim the ends.
The straws won't be straight because of how you rolled the paper.If you want to drink from the straws, use a pair of scissors to remove the points.Measure the straws against each other to make sure they're all the same length.How long you cut your straw is up to you.Make sure both ends are flat.As you cut the straw, it may get damaged.Push them back into shape with a chopstick, knitting needle, or other tool.
Step 7: Break some canning wax into a jar.
A large glass jar is deep enough to fit your straw all the way in.Add the wax to the jar by breaking it into smaller pieces.To fill the jar 1/2 to 1/3 of the way, you should use enough wax.Candle-making wax may not be food-safe, so don't use it.You can use beeswax if you can't find canning paraffin wax.It will have a slight scent.Don't use soy wax.It will make your straws sticky and greasy.
Step 8: The wax should be melted in a pot of hot water.
Place the jar in a pot and fill it with water.Wait for the wax to melt before turning the stove on.It can take 10 to 15 minutes.To fit your straw 1/2 or 1/3 of the way in, you'll need to add more pieces of wax.If you want to speed the process up, don't turn the heat up.The key is slow, low, and steady.The amount of water you use will vary.The jar needs to be level with the water.
Step 9: Pull the straw out after dipping it in the wax.
The straw should not be left in the wax for too long.Pull it out if you dip it in.The glue may come apart if you leave it too long.You will not be able to dip the straw all the way in.You're good if you can get 1/3 of the way into the wax.
Step 10: The rest of the wax should be wiped off with a towel.
The jar of melted wax will stop dripping if you hold the straw over it.Next, use a paper towel to remove the excess wax from the straw.Don't remove all of the wax.A light sweep of your paper towel is what you should do.If the end of the straw is covered in wax, twist it 2 to 3 times and pull it out.The wax should not stick to the paper towel.If it does, use a paper towel with a smooth texture.Don't use tissues or toilet paper because they are soft and stick.
Step 11: The wax on the other side of the straw should be wiped off as well.
dip the other end into the wax after rotating the straw by 180 degrees.Remove it and let the wax trickle back into the jar.The wax should be wiped off with a paper towel.The wax will be hard by the time you dip it.You'll get fingerprints if it's still wet.The wax will overlap onto the already-waxed portion if the straw is dipped a little more than 1/2 or 1/3 of the way.You won't have gaps if you do this.
Step 12: The straw should be dried on a plastic bag.
The wax layer is very thin.If the inside of the straw is still wet, put it in a plastic bag and let it dry for a few minutes.It's ready to use when the straw is dry.It is normal for the straw to look translucent once it is dry.The nature of the wax is the reason for this.If you have other straws, now is the time to dip them.