Get cracking

Supplies used
A close-up of all the supplies used in this nutcracker project.

Step 1
Use a hacksaw to cut two pieces of pipe for the legs and two for the arms (you can make your nutcracker as tall as you like but the legs must be at least 400mm long).

Step 2
Paint all your pieces using your Resene paints, particularly the outer layer of cardboard for the body, face and hat, because painting this when it is in cylinder form is difficult. Paint the PVC pipe end caps in Resene Goldmine for the epaulettes.

Step 3
Cut the 75mm timber into four pieces, each 200mm long, to fit into the bottom and top of the legs. Using long screws, attach two of these pieces of timber to the large wooden tray or base.

Step 4
Flip the base and slide the PVC legs over the timber struts. Screw the other two pieces of timber to one of the two medium wooden discs, ensuring they are the same distance apart as those on the base.

Step 5
To form the cylinder for the body, head and hat, staple cardboard around this wooden disc, then slot the second wooden disc into the top of the cylinder and staple it in place. Slide the two timber struts at the base of the body into the top of the legs.

Step 6
Glue the second, pre-painted layer of cardboard around the body structure.

Step 7
Use hot glue to attach the painted baubles to the end of the arms.

Step 8
Use hot glue to attach the fringing and gold-painted PVC pipe end caps to the shoulders, then glue the arms to the sides of the body. Glue buttons on the torso and use satin ribbon for the belt and around.