Wood animals are shockingly easy to make! (with the right tools) - Page 7

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by amandaleigh37

I agree, it is addicting!!

We've been using watercolors with a beeswax polish I got from Nova Natural. They are turning out really nice. I like the faded look of the watercolors, but not sure how well it will hold up long-term, especially if they got wet? Oh well, we'll see.

Here's stuff I've been making (inspired by stuff I've seen elsewhere & on etsy...):
A turtle, snail and fish: http://amanda.smugmug.com/photos/435976632_Kp3Yj-L.jpg
Puzzle: http://amanda.smugmug.com/photos/435975260_Cbugg-L.jpg
http://amanda.smugmug.com/photos/435975704_dnpUa-L.jpg
Rainbow nesting tunnels (I love these!): http://amanda.smugmug.com/photos/435976315_N29Xw-L.jpg
http://amanda.smugmug.com/photos/435976078_WR9QE-L.jpg

Oh! Those are beautiful! And I know the seller you like on etsy. She makes awesome stuff! And her tutorials actually recommend watercolors to stain the wood and seal with the beeswax polish, so hopefully you'll be fine. That's what we're doing too.

[mom2sol]

That is so cool! I have often thought about how to do that but I have no wood-working skills.
I don't know what a scroll saw is... I know we don't have one! Maybe someone would lend me theirs?

I recently went on a bunch of "crude" beeswax with someone for super cheap. I think she found a bee-keeper selling it on craigslist. It's easy to filter out and then you have some lovely beeswax to do things with. I made candles with mine but I know there's recipes out there for furniture polish, etc...

[amandaleigh37]

Oh! Those are beautiful! And I know the seller you like on etsy. She makes awesome stuff! And her tutorials actually recommend watercolors to stain the wood and seal with the beeswax polish, so hopefully you'll be fine. That's what we're doing too.

Thanks! Are you talking about the makebabytoys website with the tutorial? I didn't realize that was by the same person on etsy. That's where I got startad, & saw the example with the woodburned details on the little birdie which I loved. Then I stumbled on the etsy shop which was filled with such pretty things!

The rainbow tunnells, well I've been wanting to buy some for my DS forever, but they're so pricey. He loves tunnells so I think he'll get a kick out of those!

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by amandaleigh37

Thanks! Are you talking about the makebabytoys website with the tutorial? I didn't realize that was by the same person on etsy. That's where I got startad, & saw the example with the woodburned details on the little birdie which I loved. Then I stumbled on the etsy shop which was filled with such pretty things!

The rainbow tunnells, well I've been wanting to buy some for my DS forever, but they're so pricey. He loves tunnells so I think he'll get a kick out of those!

Yup! She's woodmouse on etsy and I can't remember what her mdc username is. I love her stuff! I agree about the wood-burned details and very much want to try some. The natural toy journey has been a fun experience. This year:
I taught myself to knit---and had to KNIT EVERYTHING
I learned to make felt food -- and made enough to stock a grocery store
I learned to make dolls -- and could start a preschool with all the dolls I have ideas for!
Now I figured out the scroll saw -- and need an entire zoo, farm, every fairy tale, plus dinosaurs, and blocks would be cool too. :P

One small kid doesn't need everything I've got ideas for! Good thing we know lots of kids!

[amandaleigh37]

Oh, neat. I didn't know she was an MDC mama too. I was a little worried to post the stuff I made because clearly I copied her designs on the animals. Of course I'm not selling them or saying that they are mine or anything like that... They are just for my own kiddo to play with. I hope that's ok :/ I don't want to violate any ettiquette rules though!

I just saw your felt mail set in your pics... That's next on my list!! So cute! I just learned to knit too... There's not enough time in the day (or rather, time when LO is sleeping!) to do everything

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by amandaleigh37

Oh, neat. I didn't know she was an MDC mama too. I was a little worried to post the stuff I made because clearly I copied her designs on the animals. Of course I'm not selling them or saying that they are mine or anything like that... They are just for my own kiddo to play with. I hope that's ok :/ I don't want to violate any ettiquette rules though!

I just saw your felt mail set in your pics... That's next on my list!! So cute! I just learned to knit too... There's not enough time in the day (or rather, time when LO is sleeping!) to do everything

OOps! She's not on MDC. I thought she was. Anyway she's super nice and encouraging for other people to make stuff!

[sweetpeppers]

It's totally addicting. I was up until 7am this morning painting my animals and watching movies on the internet. I gotta post some pictures. I think I'm just going to use mineral oil. I can't afford anything too expensive. It's not going to smear the paint is it? Because they are beautiful, and I would cry if they got messed up.

[MamaScout]

Originally Posted by sweetpeppers

where can you get beeswax that is not online?

I bought a huge block at Joann's (with a coupon).

[MadameXCupcake]

I talked my dad into making my DD toy for christmas and he made a bunny and a turtle and some blocks. :::

I am a bit amused that he didn't bother to make any for his own kids[6 month old twins and fiance has 5 ages 3-14], I dont think his fiance enjoys homemade things. :

[Miss Information]

What kind of watercolors are you using? Is it something other than the little paint sets you can get from Crayola or something?

I have some wood animals to paint. Last year I just used acrylics on some that I had, but I couldn't get that watered down look that's so soft and nice. I do have the all natural beeswax polish to use on them, but I don't know how to paint hem.

I'm running out of time, please help!

[amandaleigh37]

What kind of watercolors are you using? Is it something other than the little paint sets you can get from Crayola or something?

I've been using Stockmar watercolors, that come in the little bottles... http://www.novanatural.com/s.nl/it.A...category=20898

[Miss Information]

Thanks, I figured it wasn't that simple. I don't have time to get them before Christmas, so I just finished them with acrylic paints.

Here's the animals and trees that go with the farm playmat I made for last Christmas.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t.../animals-2.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...irls/trees.jpg (have to finish the bases with beeswax polish).

Maybe if I ever get bored/ambitious, I'll sand them all and re-do them with the watercolors.

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by Miss Information

Thanks, I figured it wasn't that simple. I don't have time to get them before Christmas, so I just finished them with acrylic paints.

Here's the animals and trees that go with the farm playmat I made for last Christmas.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t.../animals-2.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...irls/trees.jpg (have to finish the bases with beeswax polish).

Maybe if I ever get bored/ambitious, I'll sand them all and re-do them with the watercolors.

Those are AWESOME. I especially love the trees. And although I like the look of the watercolor, there's something to be said for bright colors. Honestly I think kids gravitate more to them, though I understand that they're not as safe or as environmentally friendly.

You all have me thinking about getting a scroll saw. I've inherited my dad's old tools and am trying to clean out our basement to make room for his workbench.

One question -- is a scroll saw dangerous? I cut my finger in fifth grade carving a pumpkin and I'm STILL freaked out by anything sharp.

[sweetpeppers]

I've just been using crayola water colors. They work really well, except for the white. For my polar bears, sheep, and snow cave stacking puzzle, I used watered down acrylics. Will Beeswax give you a shiny finish? I used mineral oil, and it's not cutting it for me. I want a glossy(er) finish.

[Miss Information]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Those are AWESOME. I especially love the trees. And although I like the look of the watercolor, there's something to be said for bright colors. Honestly I think kids gravitate more to them, though I understand that they're not as safe or as environmentally friendly.

Thank you. I had fun with the trees. They were my favorite too, though I do like the swans too. I wish I had another apple tree to paint one in fall colors.

[jenfl]

Originally Posted by New Mama

One question -- is a scroll saw dangerous? I cut my finger in fifth grade carving a pumpkin and I'm STILL freaked out by anything sharp.

A scroll saw is actually one of the least dangerous shop tools. The blade moves up and down a small amount (called a stroke). It's not like a band saw, which will pull you in when it gets a grip. In fact, if the stroke is short enough, you can actually put your thumb up to the blade with no damage -- but DON'T TRY IT! I have no idea how my dad knew that his saw's stroke was short enough that that worked. Scared the begeesus out of me the first time I saw it.

Anyway. It can be a little intimidating at first, especially if the saw vibrates a lot. Just keep firm downward pressure on the wood, go slowly, and always keep an eye on where your fingers are. Cut lots of paths from the edge of the wood to the pattern so that the pieces will fall away and you won't have to back the blade out.

I finally traded up -- thanks to Craigslist -- from borrowing my parents' 30+ year old Dremel to owning my own couple-year old Dremel. I'm totally thrilled. I'm currently working on making wooden Peep, Chirp, and Quack figures for my daughter for Christmas. After that... maybe a Christmas village for next year, or starting on a menagerie of animals. I just need my daughter to start napping again so I have time to get out there with the saw!

[jenfl]

Originally Posted by sweetpeppers

I've just been using crayola water colors. They work really well, except for the white. For my polar bears, sheep, and snow cave stacking puzzle, I used watered down acrylics. Will Beeswax give you a shiny finish? I used mineral oil, and it's not cutting it for me. I want a glossy(er) finish.

I mix beeswax and mineral oil, and it gives a nice glow to the wood. (As directed at the bottom of this page http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki....aspx?id=26893)

I don't know if I'd call it shiny, but I do think it looks better than just plain mineral oil.

[RollerCoasterMama]

Finished all the rough-cut animals. We're still hurrying to finish painting them before Christmas, but our 2 yr old keeps finding them and is soooooo excited. He'd be completely happy with them unpainted. He knows what everything is just by sillouette! (Just proves out the simple is better theory!)

I'm proud that I haven't cut any fingers off yet and still have both eyes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30975615@N08/3126341001/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30975615@N08/3126340993/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30975615@N08/3126340989/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30975615@N08/3126340985/

And here's the one that DH painted over the weekend. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30975615@N08/3126341011/

I was getting worried we wouldn't finish in time, so I started painting a bunch over the weekend, but we ran out of white before I got the hang of how to mix up the paint to the right consistancy. All the rest of the animals have white! Off to the craft store I go after work!! Oh darn!

We're using cheapo watercolor paint that comes in a tube. It was just a few dollars for a whole set at Hobby Lobby and we've had it in the house for years! Then beeswax polish. The polish doesnt' really gleam, but it seals in the paint a bit.

ps. If you ever look at Holtzinger wooden toys, you'll completely recognize where I borrowed the shapes from!! I don't free-hand draw that well!!!

[GraceBlue]

3901sca-

WOW! Those are awesome! Ive been begging DH for a scroll saw! lol Thanks for sharing!!

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by GraceBlue

3901sca-

WOW! Those are awesome! Ive been begging DH for a scroll saw! lol Thanks for sharing!!

Do it! It's so fun! And there's lots of good sales after the holidays! What I love is that for the price of a fraction of the animals if we bought them we get probably four or five times the animals, the fun of making them ourselves, plus the tool to make even more wood toys, play clips, and playstands! Worth every penny! I love it!

Plus, this way I can use all of these animals in a nativity set forever and nature tables---these aren't just for when he's little! I'm going to try to make some nativity figures over the next year for 2009. I love having decorative things that my son can play with.