What? You made all of those fancy appetizers (or heated them up) but you're going to stick a plain toothpick in them? No, no, no. Make these easy cocktail picks with beads and toothpicks.
I have no idea how I'm going to con you into thinking this DIY requires an entire blog post to explain it to you. But I shall try.
- Plant a birch tree. Any size will do.
- Allow tree to grow for 5-10 years.
- Cut branch off of tree.
- Whittle birch branch down to size of toothpick.
- Repeat 40 X.
- Get caught up in a costume jewellery theft ring. Gain their trust. Get invited on caper. Run off with all the loot.
- Thread necklace beads from the caper loot onto bespoke toothpick.
- Enjoy.
DIY fancy cocktail picks
And just like that, with a mere 10 years of very light work, you have a sassy appetizer/cocktail toothpick.
Or, if you're extremely ... and I mean exceptionally lazy ... you could buy a container of toothpicks, buy a $1 costume jewellery bracelet at the dollar store and call it a day. People will talk about how lazy you are, I'm sure you know that.
If that is the route you choose to go - here are your instructions.
- Open toothpick container.
- Cut apart dollar store necklace or bracelet and let the beads fall off.
- Shove one of the beads onto the end of a toothpick.
- Done.
Do I need to explain it a bit better? K. Stick the toothpick into the hole of the bead and then call it a cocktail pick. Make sense now?
I know. You can't fathom how I do these complicated projects like building wood indoor shutters PLUS work all day PLUS keep my hair so shiny. The struggle is not only real it's discussed in many scientific papers.
I don't know why I love these things so much but I do. It may have to do with the fact that by this time of year I'm more and more interested in activities that can be accomplished with a maximum of 3 firing brain cells, one of which is focused on a Hallmark Christmas movie.
If you're worried about the beads falling off during use at your highly sophisticated cocktail party just dab a bit of wood glue onto the end of the toothpick before shoving the bead on.
If your beads shove down further on the toothpick than the tip, then that's where to dab the glue. Duh.
Thinking back on it, it really is a good thing that I ran you through this in a blog post. It was more difficult than I realized now that I've typed all the instructions out. Remember the steps using this handy seasonal acronym:
FISH GUTS
Find Instagram Scrabble Hanging Goo Under The Spaghetti If you can remember that, you'll have no problem remembering how to do these cocktail picks.
It might not make a lot of sense to you right now but that's just because it's December and you're only running on 3 brain cells.
The black ones are tray chick! (tres chic) LOL my favorite but these could also look good stuck into styrofoam and poking out behind a Christmas card display or a charcuterie cheese type card. You got my brain firing on 4 cells now!
Really cute and can be done in my one-bedroom apartment without power tools! Love 'em. Happy New Year!
Thank you for just saving me a ton of cash! I hope you get to lay down tools for at least a day and just do a bit of wandering about. Thanks, again, Karen!
I'm a little late to the party but I've got to say these are the prettiest toothpicks I've ever seen. And your photos are gorgeous! What kind of camera and lens are you using, Karen? P.S. I hope you're having a lovely holiday. Take it easy but know we miss you.
Hi Heather! Ohhhh not a holiday, lol. I'm working on the backend stuff on my blog. :) Updating coding, old posts etc. Just no writing posts or ... photography. My camera is OLD. A NikonD40. I need a new one. I can't remember the lens exactly but it's a Nikon fixed macro lens. I used to ask what type of camera people used too but the truth is, it's more about learning how to use the one you have. :) I took 2 college photography courses a few years ago plus had a half day lesson with a professional photographer. Totally worth the money if you can do it. ~ karen!
I'll be schlepping to the dollar and/or craft stores today so I can try this for tonight's NYE party.
Noticed you changed your black polish for red! Never have I seen that color on your nails before. Quite festive.
Just wondering, did you weed some longtime followers out ? I keep having to resign up for blogposts by going into an old post I saved to my phone (making of cheese/bread boards).
HI Gigi! Nope, I haven't done anything. I checked and my mailing service says you unsubscribed in June. I've sent you another confirmation email so click on it and you'll be resubscribed. ~ karen!
Wow!...you just really amaze me sometimes Karen! lol
What a cute idea. You seem to do more with 3 brain cells that a lot of people these days. Thanks for sharing.
Dang. I love these. I *will* be making these for the party Sunday evening! Fondue forks will be used for the stuff needing lo-o-o-ng skewers for dipping, but the Bacon Wraps will look good with some bling! I'll add the bling after the baking, so as to not dirty the jewels! (Or melt the jewels!) I am still trying to figure out FISHGUTS, though. I don't instagram, but I do Scrabble and I do also do goo, and spaghetti. But -- Find Instagram Scrabble Hanging Goo Under The Spaghetti has me baffled! ; ) I did snort quite a lot BTW!
Bacon wraps!!! So good. :) ~ karen!
I wanted a truck. But all I could find was a vw. Dang live the truck
Damn LOVE the truck...that's what it should say. Damn phone.
I am revising my Christmas Eve appetizer plans, just so I can make and use these picks!
I think that's an excellent idea. ~ karen!
I think I have a few necklaces that fell apart that I was waiting on motivation to re-string. You know what's better than motivation? Cocktail picks! :D
LOL. Way easier than restringing. ~ karen!
OK, I have a birch tree seed planted and I only used one brain cell. Boy do I feel productive! It makes me want to get up and lay out my toothpicks just in case a necklace falls apart. You are a genius! Typing this has used up my energy, Bye!
LOLOLOL! That was hysterical. But now I feel like such a big boob for having purchased (yes, with hard-earned cash) cocktail picks just like these but not half as cute. You are my shiny-haired hero. Carry on...
So clever, and funny post as usual!
I've always wondered what to do with that old birch tree out back 😆
Love your posts!!
Ditto on snorting the coffee.
I've been working on the birch tree since I bought my house...now to hook up with the caper crew...I wonder if I can find one through Craigslist....?
I have to agree. This is genius and I don't know why I didn't think of it before. But then I also don't know why I didn't think of the pet rock, jibbitz for crocs, Silly Bands, Fifty Shades of Grey or Velcro.
Ha! ❤️❤️❤️
This blog runs contrary to the old warning 'Do not drink and blog' aka 'Don't nog and blog'. I love the picks!