Wood animals are shockingly easy to make! (with the right tools)

[isaberg]

So I just went to a Waldorf winter fair and they had these lovely Holztiger & Ostheimer wooden figures - animals & people - and they were soooo expensive. I came home, found some on ebay for $.99 - nobody knew what they were - and then missed bidding in time. (Somebody had a GREAT find out there!)

In frustration, I bugged the husband to show me how to use the scroll saw, and found some wood scraps. Do you know, it took me about 15 minutes apiece, once I had a pattern, to cut them out and sand them? The paint was just watered-down acrylic I had on hand - actually, I used floating medium rather than water, which seemed to keep it from absorbing too quickly. My sanding technique is a little odd, since I was using a really wide belt sander clamped to a table (that's all that's working at the moment). But a wide sander like that allows you to do things like sand the snouts narrower. And I totally cheated and copied from the Holztiger figures - I ought to be more creative. But anyway, it's SOOOO easy! Oak turns out nicer than the pine, at least the extra heft feels nicer.

Here are pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25995446@N00/?saved=1


Anybody have suggestions for a finish that won't take off the acrylic? People say beeswax, and I have pounds of that, but how would I convert it into a finish?

[ladywolf]

Very cool figures.

[Mama2E&O]

Those are just beautiful!
We are making wood animals for our kids for Christmas as well- but ours we are not adding detail to and just adding an oil finish.

[~MoonGypsy~]

I can't see the photos but they sound wonderful! Congrats!

For the beeswax you just rub it in, similar to oiling a cutting board and whatnot. Unless it's an unusual type of beeswax, you shouldn't have to adjust at all.

[isaberg]

Originally Posted by Mama2E&O

ours we are not adding detail to and just adding an oil finish.

What's an oil finish? Like tung oil? That's about all I've used before, that and shellac.

How can you keep them secret until then? I want so badly to show her every time I get one done. :-)

[Mama2E&O]

sorry, yes I think DH is thinking of using tung oil- but now I am thinking of using a beeswax polish called "beeeautiful" that I found in Nova Natural Toys.

[isaberg]

Originally Posted by ~MoonGypsy~

For the beeswax you just rub it in, similar to oiling a cutting board and whatnot. .

Thanks for the info! I rubbed a piece of beeswax on one, and buffed it with a cloth - I didn't expect it to be so shiny! And I also learned - don't buff it with a dark green rag that sheds lint.

I've got a dremel I was using for sanding, and its little buffing wheel works well to bring out the shine. I wonder if a shoe buffer would work equally well?

[antannie]

I LOVE them! And I am so inspired. I have a scroll saw and nieces and nephew! You are multitalented. I have been to your pix befor from other threads.

[MamaFern]

those are beautiful!

i was just talking to my dp a few days ago about making wooden toys. he carves lots of thing ( bridges for instruments, instruments..furniture ect..) so im trying to convince him to make toys. im going to give him carving tools for xmas! ill show him these, i thinlk he will be inspired! i know i am.. if he doesnt, maybe ill take up carving

[ani'smommy]

Wow, how cool! Where did you find the patterns for them?

[Attached Mama]

those are awesome!!! can you tell us where you got the patterns... or maybe share them?

[rbriansgirl]

Those are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

[crazycandigirl]

Those are really cool. They turned out beautifully

[Attila the Honey]

Those are beautiful.

[Pam_and_Abigail]

Amazing! My dh and I were talking about how we might do this. His Dad is a carpenter, and my Dad has a lot of tools, so I think I might be able to do something like this.

[Pam_and_Abigail]

*

[isaberg]

For patterns, I cheated and copied from pictures of Holztiger figures from the web. I've got some books on heirloom wooden toys on order from the library; if I find any good books, I'll post them up.

I did a few more last night; these are really addictive! Especially when you have lots of things to do that are more important. :-)

[isaberg]

Originally Posted by Pam_and_Abigail

Amazing! My dh and I were talking about how we might do this. His Dad is a carpenter, and my Dad has a lot of tools, so I think I might be able to do something like this.

You absolutely can! I'd done a bit of woodworking before, but I'd never touched a scroll saw before. We have a bandsaw too, which would work, but the blade's missing at the moment. If you have access to either one, you'll find that it's really easy - all you do is steer the wood into the blade. It's remarkably like using a sewing machine, really, only you push a little harder. And you just need something to sand with - a dremel works pretty well, and I really like the floor sander clamped to the table; it's nice to have a wide sanding surface. A sander is all you need for shaping; they aren't carved or anything.

[sunanthem]

wow! your animals are really beautiful!!! And so is everything else in your pictures. I love the fairy house too!
Wish I had a saw, I'd love to make some.

[knittingmomma]

Wow!!! Amazing work... Now to get my husband to get going... He has at least an hour each morning where he needs to be making toys!

Warm wishes,
Tonya - Mom of 5 - Natural Fiber Crafter