I got a few woodworking tools at the end of 2010 and finally sat down with my first project a couple weeks ago.

My sister is expecting her fourth child, and I wanted to make something for the new arrival (coming in April). I decided to make a teething ring and spent a few hours sketching out some ideas.

I settled on a fish design. Here’s the first sketch.

As you can see below I made some adjustments to the design based on what I thought would be practical for a newborn. I first drilled the center hole into a piece of 3/8″ thick maple and sketched out the design in pencil. [That's my 7 year old Sheltie in the background. He's not interested in the least.]

I like the planning and design process and the act of cutting it out. I could do without the whole finishing and sanding and sanding and sanding and sanding part. But a little baby will be playing with this so I spent nearly an hour sanding it by hand.

Since this project I’ve been making barnyard animals for my two-year-old son Alex. He got a wooden play barn for Christmas with a couple wooden animals but he really needed a horse and a couple of llamas. I love making them, but once they’re cut I’m more interested in designing and making the next one than finishing the one I just made.

What part of the process do you like? Designing, making or finishing?

You may also enjoy: making new friends! |