I wanted one of my stories to involve a
fishing trip, so I checked around to see if I could find some 1/6 scale fishing poles to purchase for my dolls. Yes, I could find some, but decided not to buy them. I found some that were relatively inexpensive, but I decided not to spend any money at all on doll stuff that I'm probably only going to use a couple of times. I'd much rather spend my money on dolls. How hard could it be to make a fishing pole, right?
I started brainstorming on how I would make my poles. So as I do almost always when faced with the prospect of making something from scratch, I asked my husband if he would make them for me. He said no. I asked him what I could use to make my fishing poles. He told me to go out into the yard, grab some twigs, and tie some string to them. I told him that I thought that I could do a little bit better than that (I asked him to whittle me some poles, but he didn't go for that idea).
He suggested using some straws, and I thought that straws would be a little big for my little people, but then I thought about the long coffee stirrers and decided to give them a try. So my idea started to take shape.
Steps:
1. Round up the necessary items:
- long coffee stirrer
- tape (I used duct tape)
- push pin
- used staple with one end slightly unbent
- super glue
- scissors
- links from an old broken necklace
- bead from an old broken necklace
- thread (or dental floss, or whatever)
- old pencil eraser
2. Bend the end of the push pin.
3. Cut the straw to the desired length.
4. Fold the end of the straw so that it is narrower at one end.
5. Add tape to the other end to make it wider.
6. Tape the links and the push pin to the straw. Be sure to tape the push pin to the same side of the straw as the links. I did not do that, and I did not feel like fixing my mistake.
7. Wrap the thread around the push pin a few times and glue it in place.
8. Guide the other end of the thread through the links.
9. Add a bead to the end of the thread (paint it first if you want).
10. Tie the staple to the very end of the thread as a hook and add a little glue.
11. Add a pencil eraser to the sharp end of the push pin as a handle.
Finished Fishing Pole
Eddie Strong is ready to test out the fishing pole.
It's flexible, lightweight, and the perfect size for him to grip. But why does it have to be red, he wonders.
Here he inspects the reel.
Here's a closer look. The reel is not actually functional.
Alright, it's show time. Eddie is ready to cast out.
He's got a bite!
This must be a big one!
Reel him in, Eddie, reel him in! Oh yeah, the reel does not work.
Well, he got away, but Eddie swears that he was THIS BIG!
