Bamboo season is here!! here's where to shop....

..for those of you looking for bamboo but don';t need 50 sticks and a hefty shipping bill, here's where to pick up a few small diameter sticks in your neighborhood for cheap!!

home depot....always has 1-1.5" 6ft. sticks available.

pier one imports....sells smaller rounds in bundles...great for detail work....also sells dark brown stained bamboo.

micheals crafts...steppin up this year and selling blond bamboo in their fake plant section.

if you are in the chicago area, Hala Kahiki sells bigger rounds in the gift shop.

today's craft tip: FAKE PALM TREE

....... big lots is selling plastic palm fronds at $1 a pop...these are great for making fake palm trees using a foam ball (from micheals crafts) painted brown attached to a bamboo pole....then stick these fronds all over it. Pick up a new empty paint can at home depot, paint it brown or wrap in tapa paper, fill em;' with cement and stick your bamboo pole palm in it. when it sets up, you have an instant palm tree decoration.....

enjoy!!

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2007-04-19 05:47 ]

[ Edited by: Tipsy McStagger 2007-04-19 05:49 ]

And where does one find Tapa paper or cloth? Any suggestions?

On 2007-04-20 12:39, frostiki wrote:
And where does one find Tapa paper or cloth? Any suggestions?

this post is for bamboo only..you'll have to refer to a post about tapa and cloth to find those...

actually, the best way to find that stuff is to search tiki central for related topics or start another thread about finding sources for cloth or tapa....

I know, I know search the site, sorry I as over taken by laziness. I'll have to make a bambo run tomorrow, thanks for the pointers

DOLLAR TREE Has the $1.00 3' tiki torches on sale now, a good deal. Can also be used for making a bar/frames etc. Just lop off the splayed end and save the canisters for another project/use.

hey, also, michaels crafts has table top bamboo tiki torches and full size ones on sale now too...in dark stain or blond bamboo.....

Dollar Tree is an amazing place for finding a variety of bamboo items. Bamboo trash cans can be made into great lighting fixtures with some parts easily obtainable at IKEA. The Michaels stores here in town DO sell bamboo poles, but they are NOT even remotely a good price. In fact, they are ridiculously priced. Lowes has bamboo fencing material that can be used in a variety of ways.

Or just cut it, Timbore or Boric Acid treat it, stack it in an above-ground covered rack and dry it yourself. It grows wild everywhere here. Jap black, Jap Timber, Moso, Robert Young, you name it!

Osh has bamboo too, we got some last weekend... it would have been reasonable, money wise, however, next door was an antique mall with Paul Frankle furniture, an entire set. It's just what we needed, but pricey!

We're working on the room now and will post pix soon!

If you want to find bamboo blinds at really great prices, or need some information on how to install and maintain bamboo blinds, here is a helpful site:

http://www.0800handyman.co.uk/links.shtml
hope you find it useful