Whimsical Bird Plant Stakes

Brighten your outdoor garden or indoor plants with these whimsical plant stakes.

Supplies and Equipment

• ¾" plywood scraps
• 1/8" basswood scraps
• Skewer or dowel rod
• Acrylic paints
• Wood adhesive
• Pattern for bird plant stakes
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand

Instructions

1. Mount the pattern on the blank. To mount the pattern on the blank cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
2. Cut straight edges of bird body on the band saw.
   
3. Cut curved edges of bird body and wings on the scroll saw. Note: The entire pattern can be cut on the scroll saw.
   
4. Round the corners of the tail and bottom of body of bird one on the disc sander.
   
5. Mark the center bottom on each bird body.
   
6. Using the rotary tool and drill stand, drill a hole the appropriate size to accommodate the skewer or dowel rod in the center bottom of the bird body.
   
7. Sand all surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
8. Paint pieces with acrylic paints.
   
9. Glue the wings in place with wood adhesive.
   
10. Glue skewer or dowel rod in place with wood adhesive.
    

Carole