I do the inverted bun thing, one stick usually holds it securely, but I always use them in pairs.  Here's how I do it:

• Twist hair into a bun, just slightly lower than where you actually want it to be.
  
  (If right handed) Keep holding bun with left hand, with right hand take first stick and put the pointed end up through the center of the bun, from the underside, not the top (when I do it the pointed part is usually pointed at ten o'clock, not perfectly straight up & down).
  
  Now you flip the stick & the bun, so that now the bottom of the stick is pointed at ten o'clock, and push the pointed end down as you go.  This holds securely for me, then I put the second stick in either from the other side to make a wide X, or on the same side to make a narrow, tilted X.  I do this with piggy buns too, using one stick for each side so that they cross in the back, center of my head.

Another method that I've read about, but doesn't work that well for me is this:

• Pull hair into a ponytail, but don't secure with an elastic, hold with left hand (if right handed)
  
  With right hand, take a stick and place it horizontally above the base of the ponytail (still holding with left hand) and against head.  Pointy end should be to the left.
  
  Using left hand, wrap hair up, over & around stick 2-3 times, leaving a bit of a tail.
  
  With right hand, flip stick and push down through hair, then add second stick.

I never cared for that one as much as the first method, but give it a try anyhow.  I hope these make some sense to you & that you are able to use one of them.  I know your hair is a lot thicker than mine, so maybe they won't work as well.  Either way, give 'em a shot.