Wooden Tree Project

Mr. SP gives me a Swarovski snowflake ornament every year for Christmas.  I usually display them on a thorny branch that my grandmother used in her church for alter arrangements.  My collection has grown so large that I needed a new way to display these beautiful ornaments.  I like to display them separately from my regular tree because I leave them out through the winter months.

I had a vision to make a wooden tree.  I explained to Mr. SP what I wanted to do and then we headed to Lowe’s for the needed supplies.  I wanted to do this project myself and in the process learn how to use some of his power tools.

The first step was to make a base.  I traced a circle onto a piece of wood and then cut off the extra wood with a circular saw. 

The circular saw was really scary and I would definitely not use it again without Mr. SP’s supervision.  Better yet, I’d just let him use it.

Then I cut the circle out with the band saw. This is another scary tool.  I practiced on some scrap wood before I cut my circle.

Then it was time to use the router.  I wasn’t very good at routing. 

I had used the orbital sander before, but it had been a long time.  After a quick refresher in proper sanding technique, I sanded the top, bottom, and sides of my circular base.

The next tool that I learned how to use was the drill press.  I cut a hole in the base for the main trunk of the tree.

I used a large dowel for the main trunk and then used the drill press to drill small holes around the main trunk for the branches.

 

I kept drilling and experimenting until I had enough holes for all of the branches that I needed.

I used a hand saw to cut dowels to different lengths for the branches.  I even needed a lesson in using a hand saw.  I’m not good at using that tool, either!

So far, so good!

The next step was to design the star.  Mr. SP helped me to draw a star on a scrap piece of wood and then I cut it out with the band saw.  I’m pretty good at using the band saw!  It kind of feels like sewing, only with a really sharp blade that could easily cut your finger off.

We attached the star to the top of the trunk by drilling a hole and using a smaller dowel.  We glued this to make sure it would stay in place.

The next day I glued the branches into place and after they had dried, it was time to paint the tree.  I ended up doing three light coats.

Ta-da!  Now for the fun part, decorating it!

I had a terrible time trying to take a picture of the tree with the ornaments.  It is so much prettier in real life when you can see the ornaments shimmering in the light.  I still need to buy candles for the votives on the tray.

 

Thanks to Mr. SP for teaching me how to use some of his tools and for letting me invade his workshop.

I’m linking this to Metamorphosis Monday at Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch, DIY Day at Kimba’s A Soft Place to Land, Saturday Night Special at Donna’s Funky Junk Interiors, Thrifty Decor Chic’s Before and After Party, and to I made it without my Hubby at Whitney and Ashley’s Shanty2Chic.

Disclaimer – I couldn’t have made this without Mr. SP’s help.  Since I learned how to use the tools and did almost all of it myself, I’m linking it to Whitney and Ashley’s party.