Carved Bird Key Holder

Figure A

Steps:

1. Draw the selected design (bird) to size on paper and trace over it with a permanent marker. Cut out the design with scissors.

2. Transfer the design to the wood by taping small pieces of painter’s blue tape to the design and tracing around it with a sharp ballpoint pen. This creates a groove in the soft wood. Trace over the grooves with a pencil so they will be more visible when cutting the shape (figure A).

Figure B

3. Wearing safety glasses cut the outside shape out on the band saw (figure B).

Figure C

4. Attach the piece to the workbench by drilling 1/4-inch holes into a scrap piece of plywood around the piece and inserting small dowels into the holes. Wedge the piece inside the pegs (figure C).

5. Carve the design using chisels, gouges and a mallet.

Figure D

6. Shape, smooth and trim the wood using planes and rasps (figure D).

7. Create detailed carving with wood carving bits in the flexible shaft machine.

Figure E

8. Sand with sanding bits in the flex shaft (figure E).

Figure F

9. Complete sanding with the spindle and belt sander and lots of hand sanding (figure F).

10. Prime the key holder to seal the wood.

11. Apply gesso to the key holder to prepare for painting.

Figure G

12. Paint the design with acrylic paint (figure G).

Figure H

13. To attach cup hooks, drill small pilot holes and screw the hooks into the carved key holder (figure H).

14. Create a wall hanging hook with screws and wire. Hang the carved key holder on the wall and store your key rings on the hooks.

Website: www.geocities.com/holleybak