When it comes to writing about putting wooden items together, I always think of the jewelry box my grandpa made me. I got it for Christmas when I was a teenager. He made one for my grandma, my mom and me. At that time I (was) his only granddaughter, which made me extra special. (Only in my world). I still have the jewelry box. It is nothing fancy. In fact it resembles a dresser with one long drawer on the top and four smaller half drawers below it. Through the years it has moved with me and I still use it to hold whatever “precious” items I have. The only thing precious about the jewelry I have is the sentimental value. I only wear jewelry once in a great while.
When I was looking for what angle I needed to write about how to make wooden items I found myself drawn to websites which feature kits. I like the idea of purchasing a kit. All the wood is pre-measured and pre-cut. Supplies are included, such as nails or screws. All you really need to supply is a hammer, a screwdriver, a paintbrush. Some stain or paint and a little of your time. These are wonderful if you’re not quite the handyman you would like to be or if you’re someone whose time is limited. At www.craftskitsandsupplies.com I discovered a wonderful world of kits to be purchased. There is a kids workshop bug cage kit. When the bug cage is complete it measures 4 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ x 9″. Just the right size to hold lightning bugs or butterflies. It costs $14.95 for an unfinished model with nails and screws included. If you want paint, glue and a brush it will add only $3.50 to the total. Sounds like fun. I think I will order two, one for each granddaughter.
For another $14.95 you can order a kids workshop candy machine kit. When this is completed it measures 3″ x 6 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. It also has nails and screws included. If you want paint, glue and a brush you will cost another
$3.50.
At www.favecrafts.com you will find the following instructions for making a wooden clock with buttons in place of the numbers.
Materials: for WOOD BUTTON CLOCK
- Walnut Hollow® #3526 Round Plate, Basswood
- Walnut Hollow® #TQ700P Clock Movement with Hands
- Walnut Hollow® 23092 Designer Series™ Clock Hands
- Drill with 3/8″ drill bit
- Paint
- 8″x8″ decorative paper
- 12 buttons
- Other Supplies: AA battery, brush, glue, paper towel, pliers, ruler, sandpaper, scissors, spray varnish
- Instructions:
- To change wood surface into a clock, use ruler to determine the center of plate. Use drill with 3/8″ drill bit to drill a hole in the center of plate.
- To prepare wood for painting, use sandpaper to lightly sand entire wood surface. Remove dust with paper towel.
- Use brush to apply paint to entire wood surface. Let dry and apply second coat if necessary. Let dry.
- Apply 2-3 coats of spray varnish for a protective finish.
- Use scissors to cut a circle from the decorative paper the size of the indented surface of the plate. Use glue to secure paper in place. Use scissors to remove the paper from the clock movement opening.
- Attach clock movement to opening according to directions on packaging. Use pliers to tighten hex nut. Attach designer hands. These may be painted, if desired, to coordinate with decorative paper or paint.
- Use glue to attach buttons to designate each hour.
- Insert AA battery.
Also at this website are directions for a cute and simple reindeer ornament. Make several and give as gifts to your office co-workers.
Materials: for WOODEN REINDEER ORNAMENT
DecoArt Products Required
Americana Gloss Enamels
- DAG04 – Sand — NEW!!
- DAG65 – Dark Chocolate — NEW!!
- DAG265 – Tuscan Red — NEW!!
- Supplies
- Unfinished wood pieces, 2″ disc/circle; two 1 5/8″ spruce trees, Lara’s Crafts
- Steps:
- Use Sand to paint tree shapes and let dry.
- Use Dark Chocolate to paint roundhead plug, teardrops, and circle; let dry.
- Refer to photo for placement of ears. Glue wide ends of teardrop shapes to circle. For muzzle, glue roundhead plugs over lower center area of circle. For antlers, glue narrow end of tree shapes to back of circle behind ears.
- Use end of paintbrush handle dipped in Sand to paint medium dots for eyes; let dry.
- Use end of paintbrush handle dipped in Black to paint small dots over eyes for pupils. Let dry.
- Use end of paintbrush handle dipped in Tuscan Red to paint large dot for nose over lower center of muzzle; let dry.
- For hanger, fold ribbon in half with opposite sides of ends aligned together to form loop. Glue ends together and to back of ornament shape.
- Gather your family together for an afternoon of woodworking and painting fun. Just remember to have lots of paper towels and newspapers on hand for quick cleanup of what could be a messy project!
