The art of decorating dry goods windows and interiors

by L. Frank Baum

If you have mirrors, and can set them on each side of the star at an angle of about 45 degrees, they will by reflection give your display the effect of three stars.

Where this idea is used for a millinery window the face of the display could be covered by white flowers instead of puffing, and the points of the stars with bunches of violets.

THE MECHANICAL STAR.

First build a large star, six, eight or ten points, according to number of articles to be displayed, which can be twice as many as the number of points on large star. To the center of this star fasten a round shaft or axle, allowing it to extend on back of star only, and be flush with front of star (see B, fig. 2). On this shaft, and about 3 inches from the star fasten a wheel with a groove in edge to receive a round belt (A, fig. 2). Then build upright (C, figs. 2 and 3). On top of this upright fasten two bearings (D, figs. 2 and 3). Through these bearings pass the shaft (B) and fasten in place with pins (E, E, fig. 2), these to prevent shaft pan coming out when in motion.

Next make twice as many small 5-pointed stars as points on large star. On back, and exactly in center of these, glue some small pieces of heavy cardboard, about the size of a penny, and in center of back of same star, at bottom, fasten some lead or other weights. See fig. 1.

Next decorate face of large star by pleating the points in cheesecloth, or any other way desired, and after having lettered the face of each of the small stars pass a large pin through the re-enforcement in center of them and fasten one to each of the points of the large star, as shown in fig. 1. The large star, shown in center of fig. 1 should be treated the same as the small ones. If you take hold of the grooved wheel or shaft and turn it now, it should cause the large star to revolve carrying the small ones with it; but the small weights on back of small stars will cause them to remain right side up, as will also the star in center, and if not run too fast will produce a very pretty effect.

Figure 3 shows rear view and fig. 2 side view.