DIY Charming Keepsake—Miniature Wooden Rocking Horse

There’s something timeless about a wooden rocking horse—especially in miniature form. This little project is perfect for gift‑giving, holiday décor, or adding a nostalgic touch to a nursery shelf. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to make a miniature rocking horse using a Proxxon bandsaw, Delta sander, and a bench drill press. A downloadable pattern will be available so you can trace and cut the pieces with confidence.

Equipment and Supplies You’ll Need:

Tools

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Flexishaft 110/P
• Clamps

Supplies

• Two 6” x 2” x ½" hardwood, Baltic birch plywood, or MDF blank for rockers

• One 5¾” x 4” x ¾" hardwood, Baltic birch plywood, or MDF blank for horse body

• 1½” length of ¼" dowel for the handle

• Liquid wood glue

• Sandpaper (120, 220, 320 grits)

• Paint, stain, or clear finish

• Miniature Rocking Horse Pattern

• Rocker Alignment Template

Let’s Make a Miniature Wooden Rocking Horse:

Step 1: Prepare the Pattern and Wood Blank

• Print the Miniature Rocking Horse Pattern.
• So that the rockers are absolutely identical stack the two 6” x 2” x ½" together.
  
  
  
• Mount the patterns on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue.

Step 2: Cut the Shapes on the Bandsaw

• Use the bandsaw mounted with the extra narrow scroll saw band to cut out the rockers and horse.
  
  
  
• Take your time—let the blade do the work.
• Cut ¼" dowel to 1½" length.

Step 3: Smooth and Shape with the Flexishaft

• Mount a sanding drum onto the flexishaft and sand edges of the horse and rocker.
  
  
  
• Round over the edges of the horse body for a softer, more toy‑like feel.

Step 4: Drill the Handle Hole

• With a piece of scrap wood under the horse, drill the hole for the dowel rod handles.
  
  
  

Step 5: Apply Your Choice of Finish to Your Miniature Rocking Horse

• Natural look: Sand to 320 grit and apply a clear satin finish.
• Vintage style: Use a light stain and dry‑brush white paint for a distressed effect.
• Playful color: Paint the horse in soft pastels or bold folk‑art tones.
• Holiday version: Add tiny holly leaves, stars, or a red saddle.

Step 6: Assemble the Rocking Horse

• Glue the dowel rod handle in place.
• Use liquid wood glue to attach the horse body to the one of the rockers. Use the Rocker Alignment Template to ensure it sits centered and balanced.
  
  
  
• Clamp and let dry fully.
  
  
  
• Glue remaining rocker in place.

Creative Uses

• Nursery shelf décor
• Gift‑topper for baby showers
• Christmas ornaments (just add a screw eye and ribbon)
• Keepsake for handmade craft fairs
• Miniature toy for dollhouses

This miniature rocking horse is a delightful woodworking project that combines precision cutting, gentle shaping, and creative finishing. With your Proxxon tools, you’ll have everything you need to craft a sweet little heirloom.

Carole

Country Chic Easter Lamb Wall Decoration

There’s something irresistibly charming about handmade Easter décor—especially when it’s crafted from wood and finished with soft, rustic details. This sweet wooden lamb is a perfect spring project: simple, serene, and full of farmhouse personality. Using your Proxxon scroll saw and a bit of white FolkArt acrylic paint, you can create a timeless piece that works beautifully in tiered trays, mantel displays, or Easter centerpieces.

Materials and Equipment:

• ½" or ¾" hardwood, MDF, or Baltic birch plywood

• ¼” hardwood, MDF, or Baltic birch plywood

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP

• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115

• Proxxon scroll saw

• Easter Lamb Pattern 

• White FolkArt acrylic paint

• Twine or jute cord

• Painter’ tape

Let's Make the Easter Lamb

Step 1: Prepare and Transfer the Pattern

1. Print the Easter Lamb Pattern.

2. Mount the patterns on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 

   
   
   

Step 2: Cut the Lamb Shape 

1. Use the bandsaw mounted with the extra narrow scroll saw band to cut out the lamb.

2. Take your time—let the blade do the work.

3. Once the outline is complete, lightly sand the edges to remove fuzzies and refine the silhouette.

   
   
   

Step 3: Cut the Heart Charm

1. Fit the scroll saw with a fine‑tooth blade suitable for tight curves.

2. Use the bench drill press to drill a pilot hole for the scroll saw blade in the interior heart shape.

   
    

3. Drill the small hole above the heart for hanging the charm.

4. Use the scroll saw to cut out the heart charm.

5. Note: A ¼" disc cut from a large dowel rod can serve as a blank for the heart charm.

Step 4: Smooth and Prep the Surface

1. Sand the entire lamb with 120 grit, then 220 grit.

2. Round over the edges slightly for a softer look.

3. Wipe away dust with a dry cloth.

Step 5: Paint with White FolkArt Acrylic

White FolkArt acrylic paint gives this lamb its clean, bright, springtime look.

1. Apply the first coat using a flat brush, following the grain.

   
   
   

2. Let it dry completely.

3. Add a second coat for full coverage.

4. Optionally, dry‑brush a tiny bit of light gray around the edges for dimension, or add a soft blush of pink inside the ears.

Step 5: Add the Rustic Bow and Heart Charm

This little detail brings the whole piece to life.

1. Cut a length of twine and tie it around the lamb’s neck.

2. Add the small wooden heart charm.

3. Secure the heart with a dab of wood glue if needed.

Ways to Use Your Wooden Easter Lamb

• Add it to a tiered tray with moss, eggs, and mini carrots.

• Display it on a mantel with spring greenery.

• Use it as a centerpiece accent for Easter brunch.

• Pair it with wooden bunnies or chicks for a full farmhouse set.

• Make multiples in different sizes for a “flock” effect.

  
  
  

Other Country Chic projects include:

• Country Chic Cow

• Country Chic Valentine Peg People

• Country Chic Sheep

• Country Chic Pig

• Country Chic Bird

• Country Chic Chick

• Country Chic Three Cats

• Country Chic Cuts of Pork

• Country Chic Hen

• Country Chic Holiday Reindeer

Carole

DIY Long-Handled Pierced Wooden Spatula with Proxxon Tools

Wooden spoons and spatulas are timeless kitchen essentials, and crafting your own adds a personal touch to every stir and scoop. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a long-handled pierced wooden spatula using Proxxon MICROMOT tools—perfect for draining, stirring, and serving. This project is beginner-friendly and ideal for small-scale woodworking enthusiasts. A downloadable pattern is included to help you trace and cut the spatula shape with ease.

Materials & Tools

• Hardwood blank (maple, cherry, or walnut recommended), approx. 3" × 15" × ¼” to ¾"

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/EP
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115

• Proxxon Delta sander

• Long Handled Spatula Template

• Painter’s tape

• Sandpaper (grits 120, 220, 400)

• Food-safe finish (mineral oil, beeswax, or walnut oil)

Step 1: Prepare and Trace the spatula Pattern

• Download and print the spatula pattern at full scale.

• Mount the pattern on blanks. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the patterns with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the patterns easy without leaving any sticky residue. 

  
  
  

Step 2: Cut the Profile with the Bandsaw

• Use the Proxxon bandsaw to cut the outer profile of the spatula.

• Leave the pierced holes untouched for now.

  
  
  

Step 3: Drill the Pierced Holes Using the Bench Drill Press

• Select the drill bit of your choice to match the size holes you want. I used a 4mm bit.

  
  
   

• Smooth the interior edges of the holes with a needle file, or a slender tube of sandpaper.

Step 4: Shape and Refine

• Use the Proxxon Delta sander to round the edges of the spatula and refine the handle’s contours.

• Sand the entire surface, starting with 120 grit and progressing to 400 grit for a silky finish.

Step 5: Apply a Food-Safe Finish

• Wipe the spatula clean of dust.

• Apply your chosen food-safe finish (mineral oil, beeswax, or walnut oil) with a soft cloth.

• Let it soak in for a few hours, then buff with a clean cloth.

Creative Variations

• Adjust the dimension of the spatula to meet your needs—shorten the handle, use a wider blank.

• Add a hanging hole at the end of the handle for easy storage.

• Add a decorative twist by woodburning initials or a small motif on the handle.

This pierced wooden spatula is a satisfying project that blends function with beauty. With Proxxon MICROMOT tools, you can achieve clean cuts and smooth finishes even on small-scale pieces. Whether you’re making one for your own kitchen or as a handmade gift, this spatula is sure to stir up joy.

Make Your Own Gnocchi Board with Proxxon MICROMOT Tools

Homemade gnocchi deserves a proper gnocchi board, and making one yourself adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the cooking process. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to craft a gnocchi board out of 1/4" maple using versatile the Proxxon tools. The MICRO Mill MF70 is perfect for the precise grooves. The result is a beautiful, functional kitchen tool that will last for years.

Materials and Tools:

• 1/4" thick maple board (approx. 3" × 7" or 8" is ideal for a gnocchi board)

• Proxxon Table Saw FET

• Proxxon MICRO Mill MF70

• Proxxon scroll saw

• Sandpaper (grits 120, 220, 400)

• Pencil and ruler

• Food‑safe mineral oil or beeswax finish

Let's make a gnocchi board:

Step 1: Prepare Your Maple Blank
Use the table saw to cut your maple board to size—3" wide and 7" or 8" long works well. Mark the centerline where the first grooves will be milled. Leave about ½" on each side.

Step 2: Mill the Grooves with the MF70
 Practice cutting the grooves on a scrap blank until you're happy with the result. Record the revolutions used for each axis. Mark the centerline on your maple blank. When you're ready to begin your gnocchi board, secure the maple blank firmly with clamps on the MF70’s worktable. Using a small end mill bit (around 3mm), set the depth to about 2mm. Mill parallel grooves across the board’s face, spacing them about 2mm apart. Work slowly and steadily—precision is key for even ridges that give gnocchi their classic texture. Begin milling the first groove at the marked centerline. Mill grooves to the left and right of the centerline to complete the gnocchi board. 

Use the hand wheels on  the X, Y, and Z axes for accuracy. Each hand wheel has zero adjustable scales: 1 revolution = 3/64" (1mm), 1 division = .002" (.05mm). 

Step 3: Cut the Draw and Cut a Handle Outline a handle at the top of the blank. Use bandsaw or scroll saw to cut along the pencil line to create a handle. This makes the board easy to hold while rolling gnocchi. Optionally, you can drill a hole for hanging the gnocchi board in the top center of the handle.

Step 4: Sand and Finish
Sand the entire board, starting with 120 grit and working up to 400 grit for a silky finish. Pay special attention to the grooves—a piece of folded sandpaper works to smooth them out. Apply a food‑safe finish like mineral oil to protect the wood and highlight the maple’s natural beauty.

Step 5: Test Your Board
Roll a piece of gnocchi dough across the grooves. You should see neat ridges that help sauce cling to the pasta.
Enjoy your handmade gnocchi board in the kitchen—it’s both functional and a conversation piece!

Variations & Creative Twists

• Try different woods like cherry or walnut for a richer look. Be sure that the hardwood you select is food safe—some exotic woods are not. 
• Add a grip hole rather than a handle.
• Personalize the board with a wood burned design or initials.

Carole