How to Make a JOY Christmas Ornament with the Proxxon Scroll Saw

 There’s something special about handmade ornaments—especially the ones that bring a little extra cheer to the Christmas tree. This JOY ornament is a perfect blend of rustic charm and precision woodworking, and it’s a project that showcases just how versatile the Proxxon scroll saw is. Whether you’re new to scroll‑saw crafting or you’ve already fallen in love with the fine control this tool offers, this project is a satisfying way to create a personalized keepsake that looks beautiful on any holiday tree. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to cut and finish the letters so you can make your own festive JOY ornament with clean lines, crisp curves, and a polished final look.

You'll need these supplies and equipment:

• 1/8" to 1/4" wood blank
• JOY Ornament Template
• Proxxon Pen Sander PS 13
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TMB 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw
• 12" length of twine or ribbon for hanging the ornament
• Finish of your choice

Let's make the JOY Ornament:

1. Mount the pattern on the wood 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 makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Use the bench drill press to drill a pilot hole large enough to pass the scroll saw blade through it. Using a piece of waste wood under the blank helps to minimize tear-out.
   
   
   
3. Cut the JOY shape using the scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Use the bench drill press to drill the hole at the top for a length of twine or ribbon for hanging. Again, use a piece of waste wood.
   
   
   
5. Sand and smooth the edges with the pen sander. It's the perfect tool for those tight angles.
   
   
   
6. Finishing is your choice. Sanding and oiling highlight the beautiful graining of hardwoods. Painting in bright holiday colors is another option. I've covered this ornament with a scrap of buffalo plaid adhesive vinyl.
7. The last step is adding the twine or ribbon for hanging the ornament.

Once the finish is complete and the ornament is hanging from a branch, you’ll see why scroll‑sawn holiday pieces are such a joy to make. This project is small, approachable, and packed with opportunities to practice precision cutting—perfect for building confidence with the Proxxon scroll saw. Whether you gift it, sell it, or keep it for your own tree, your handmade JOY ornament will add a heartfelt touch to the season. And now that you’ve mastered this design, you can easily adapt the technique for other words, shapes, or holiday themes to expand your collection of custom wooden ornaments.

Carole