How to Make Wooden Word Art

What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make custom wooden word art with a scroll saw and a few other basic tools. This project would make a great addition to any home decor. If you're new to woodworking, make sure you read our woodworking fundamentals tutorial.

Supplies

• Safety glasses
• A piece of 1.25–2 cm (1/2"–3/4") thick wood
• Scroll saw
• Drill and drill bit
• Saw blades
• Pencil/marker
• Sanding paper
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• Clear packing tape
• Paint or other finish (optional)

Safety

• When working with power tools such as saws, it is very important to wear safety glasses at all times.
• Make sure you are fully concentrating on the task at hand, as saws and other power tools can do a lot of damage very quickly!

1. Designing Your Word Art

Step 1

The first task when making custom word art is to find the perfect font. There are many fun, free fonts available on the Internet. It is generally best to find fonts that are not too thin and have connection points between the letters, if you would like the word to be one piece.
Once you have found the perfect font, type the word you would like in that font. If you need to increase the size of the word, copy and paste it into a word processor and increase the size as needed. Once the word is the correct size, print the document out.

Step 2

Even the best font might not be quite perfect for making word art. If there are any areas that are still too thin to be structurally sturdy, once they are cut you can add a bit of thickness through those areas. I like to use a contrasting marker to fill in the areas that need a bit of tweaking.

Step 3

Once you have made any modifications needed to the design, it is time to cut the word out. Carefully cut along the edges of your word.

Step 4

Next, affix the pattern to the wood. Since the pattern might be a bit difficult to handle, it is helpful to add a few small dots of glue with a glue stick to the back of the pattern. Don't worry: the glue will easily sand off if you only use a little bit.

Step 5

After you have placed the pattern on the board and gently affixed it in a few places with glue, use clear packing tape to thoroughly adhere the pattern. Not only will this keep your pattern from moving around or slipping, but it will also help lubricate the blade if you are using a hard or thick wood.

Step 6

Make sure to cover the word completely with tape. Leave a bit of surplus tape all around the word.

2. Cutting Wooden Word Art

Step 1

With the pattern design work done, it is time to cut out your masterpiece! The key to lovely, flowing letters is to cut slow and steady. Start at one end of your word and carefully work your way around the project.

Step 2

Once you have cut around the outside of the letters, it is time to cut any closed counters that your letters might have. What is a closed counter, you may ask?  Well, it is a space that is enclosed in a letter. The letters A, B, D, O, P, Q, R, a, b, d, e, g, o, p, and q all have closed counters.
To do this, first you will need to drill a hole in the closed counter area. Once the hole is drilled, you'll need to thread the saw blade through the hole. Now you can slowly and carefully cut around the counter area.

3. Finishing

Step 1

Once your project is completely cut, it is time to sand! Carefully sand the nooks and crannies of your word with sandpaper. I like to use 150 grit.

Step 2

Painting time! You don't have to paint your project, particularly if it is made out of colorful wood like walnut or hickory. However, if you do want to paint it to complement the space you are decorating, now is the time. After you have painted, the grain might be raised a bit, but don't worry: a light sanding should take care of any rough spots. If any paint is removed during the finish sanding, you can do a quick touch-up.

Voila!

Now your are ready to decorate any room with your custom word art! The best part is that you can customize the color, size, and even the font of your words. They are perfect for decorating nurseries, kitchens, and truly any other room in your home!
In this tutorial, you learned how to design word art, transfer the design to wood, cut it out using a scroll saw, and use a drill to make holes to make custom wooden word art!
This is a great project to hone your woodworking skills, and it would also make a fantastic handmade gift.

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How to Make a Designer-Style Copper Wall Hook

by Mette Jakobsen

What You'll Be Creating

Copper is one of the biggest trends to emerge for interiors and design this season, but you don't have to spend big on designer pieces. Instead, go DIY with a few supplies from the hardware store. This multi-functional copper wall hook combines a timber dowel for a designer look which is ideal for organizing your jewellery and perfect for your bedside table. It can also be used as an elegant storage solution for kitchen utensils or as a front door 'organiser'.

Supplies

• 1 double-sided dowel screw (3/16" diameter)
• 1 copper T-fitting 10 half-inch (3/8" diameter)
• Sandpaper
• Nose pliers
• Hot glue gun
• Wooden dowel 46cm (18.1in) that fits into the copper T-fitting (3/8" diameter)
• Hand saw
• Angle cut miter box

1. Cut the Dowel Pieces

Step 1

Measure the dowel into two pieces that measure 20cm (7.9in) each and one piece that is 6cm (2.4in) long.
Place the dowel in the cut miter box and cut the wood pieces with the hand saw at the measurements you marked.

You will have three pieces which look like this:

Step 2

Use the sandpaper to smooth the edges of the cut dowel.

2. Install the Double-Ended Screw

Step 1

Use the nose pliers to screw one end of the double-ended screw into one of the 6cm (2.4in) pieces of dowel, so that the other half of the screw remains sticking out.

3. Assemble the Hook

Step 1

Using your hot glue gun, add glue inside each of the three ends of the copper fitting.

Step 2

Place the wood pieces in the copper fitting as pictured, and allow the glue to dry.

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Step 3

Screw the hook into the wall and you're done!

Get Organised in Style

Use your new copper hook to display your accessories, or put it at the entrance of your house for your bag and scarf. You could even paint the wood to add a nice pop of your favorite colour.

While you're at it, why not make a bunch? These hooks are great for small rooms—they utilize the space very nicely.
So what do you think? Are you hooked? Make our day and share your thoughts on this project in the comments below.

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Transform Plain Eggs into Cute Chicks & Bunnies for Easter

by Eleanna Kotsikou

What You'll Be Creating

This is a fun craft for Easter and a great project to make with kids. Use our templates to transform plain eggs into adorable chicks and bunnies.

Supplies

• White eggs
• Egg dyeing tablets
• Vinegar
• Cups or bowls
• Soup spoon
• Marker
• Origami paper or patterned wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Craft glue
• Egg Stand
• Chicken and bunny template

1. Dye the Eggs

Step 1

Wash and hard-boil your white eggs in salty water. Remove them from the pot and dry.
Place one colour tablet in each cup. I used yellow for the chicken and blue (and green) for the bunny. Add two to three tablespoons of vinegar in each cup. Now, dilute each colour tablet in half a cup (150 ml) of hot water. Mix until the tablet is completely dissolved and the water is coloured.

Step 2

Using a spoon, carefully dip the hard-boiled eggs in the dye. Dip them one by one. Make sure they are fully immersed and covered with the coloured water.

Leave them in the dye for three to five minutes. If you're after an intense colour, leave the eggs in a little longer.

Step 3

Now gently pat the eggs dry with a towel to prevent drops destroying the even colour. Place them carefully on the stand and leave them to dry completely. I am using here the stand from my fridge, but if you want to avoid getting it painted you can also create a  base for your eggs just by cutting the bottom of a paper egg box. You can check step 9 of this tutorial where I have prepared an egg stand using this method.

2. Make the Chicken

Step 1

Choose a sheet of origami paper with a cute yellow pattern. Then print out the template on the back side of the paper. You only need to print the upper part of the template, with all the shapes for the chicken.

Step 2

Use scissors or a precision knife to cut out the first shape of the template (1). This will form the base.

Before cutting the two vertical lines on the sides of the strip, wrap the strip around the egg and check if the length of the strip corresponds to the size of your egg. The measured perimeter of the egg should correspond to the length of the strip from cut to cut and not from edge to edge. You need to measure the perimeter of the egg at its base. Normally, it will be fine as it is, but since eggs vary in size, just check to make sure. If necessary, adjust the size of the strip and the position of the cuts accordingly.

Once the strip of paper with the legs is cut out, place it on your working surface with the white side facing down. Fold the legs upwards along the dotted line and crease well.

Step 3

Bring the two ends of the paper strip together and form a tube. Place one end inside the other through the two lateral cuts.

Add some craft glue underneath the two ends and glue them to the rest of the strip to keep the tube firmly in place.

Step 4

Cut out the wings of the chicken (shapes 2 and 3). Cut along the solid line.

Once the two shapes are cut out, place them on the working surface with the white side facing up.

Fold along the dotted lines and create the two tabs you will use to glue the wings on the egg.

Add some glue on the tab of the first wing.

Place the wing on one side of the egg and glue in place.

Now glue the second wing on the other side of the egg.

Step 5

Cut out shape 4 in the pattern. This will form the tail of the chick.

Once cut, place the tail on the working surface with the yellow side facing down and fold on the dotted line upwards.

Add some glue on the tab and place it on the back side of the egg.

Step 6

Cut out the last piece of the template (5). This piece, as you probably have already guessed, is the beak of the chick.

Carefully fold along the dotted line.

Add a small amount of glue on the tab and carefully centre the beak on the front side of the egg. Hold in place until it is firmly glued.

Step 7

Draw on some cute features for your chick's face. With a thin black marker, draw two semi-circles to create the eyes.

To add a touch of extra cuteness, you can also draw some eyelashes.

Well done. Your chicken is ready! Just place it on the base to make it stand on its feet.

3. Create the Bunny

Step 1

Now that you've created the chicken, the bunny will be even easier to make. This time, choose a blue origami patterned paper. Then, print out the template on the back side of the paper. This time you only need the bottom part of the template with all the bunny shapes.

Step 2

Start by cutting out shape 1, which forms the base of your bunny.

Make sure you measure and adjust the strip to the size of your blue egg. Don't forget to cut the vertical lines on the sides. Now, place the strip on your working surface with the white side facing down and fold the legs upwards.

Step 3

Bring the two ends of the strip together forming a tube, and close the strip by inserting one end into the other end.

Now glue the tabs to form a solid tube.

Step 4

Carefully cut out bunny's ears, which are shapes 2 and 3 on the template.

Fold the two tabs on the bottom of the ears upwards.

Add some glue on the tab of the first ear on the printed side of the paper.

Now glue the first ear on the top of the egg, slightly to the right.

Add the second ear to the top of the egg, slightly to the left.

Step 5

You can't have a bunny without teeth, right? So, cut out shape 4 of the template.

Fold the shape on the dotted line and glue the teeth in the center of the bunny's face. Just make sure that the "correct" side of the paper is the white one and not the patterned one!

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Step 6

Using a fine tip marker, add a small triangle nose.

Now, draw on some semi-circle eyes and eyelashes.

Your Easter bunny is ready!

Place the bunny on its legs and repeat the whole process as many times as you like!

Set the Table With Your Eggs

This is a fun, fast and easy idea for Easter decorations. You probably have all the things you need for this project in your cupboards at home!
Now that you've learned how to use a template to transform eggs into bunnies and chicks, you might like to create some animals designs of your own.

What other Easter projects are you making this year? Let us know if you have any questions or comments!

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