How to Make a Statement Piece of Jewelry

This piece of jewelry really does make a statement—as it should. Any statement piece is easy to identity because it is chunky, unique, and attention-grabbing. This statement necklace is meant to be the defining piece of your outfit. It will set you apart from the crowd.

Supplies for Making the Statement Necklace

• 2" x 10" x ¼" piece of MDF
• Four gold tone focal beads
• Eight 6mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• Twelve 3mm to 4 mm glass beads in a color to coordinate with you choice of napkin
• 12" to 15" 24 gauge brass jewelry wire
• 14" to 20" gold tone jewelry chain (depending upon the length of your finished piece)
• One jewelry clasp with jump rings
• Gesso
• Mod Podge
• Napkin with design of your choice 
• Classic Gold Liquid Leaf by Plaid Enterprises
• Pattern for kite-shaped pieces

Equipment for Making the Statement Necklace

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E, Proxxon Table Saw FET, or Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E, Drill Stand MB 200 and Machine Vice MS 4

Instructions for Making the Statement Necklace

1. Prepare and mount the pattern on the 2" x 10" piece of MDF. To apply the pattern to the MDF, cover the MDF with painter's tape, spray the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive spray, and adhere the pattern on top of the painter's tape. The painter's tape allows for easy removal of the pattern. 
   
2. Cut the necklace pieces using either the band saw, table saw, or scroll saw.
   
3. Sand the edges of the pieces on the disc sander.
   
4. Measure and mark ¼" from the tip of the piece and half the width of the piece for drilling the hole to attach the piece to the necklace.
   
5. Mount the marked piece in the machine vise and attach to the drill stand.
   
6. Drill a hole for attaching the piece to the necklace.
   
7. Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for each piece.
8. Coat all pieces with gesso.
   
9. Using Mod Podge and a napkin with a design of your choice, napkin collage the front of each piece.
10. When the Mod Podge is dry, paint the edges and reverse side of each piece with Classic Gold Liquid Leaf.
11. String MDF necklace pieces, focal beads, and glass beads on jewelry wire, and form a closed loop at each end of the wire.
12. Attach 7" to 10" of jewelry chain to each end of the wire.
13. Attach jewelry clasp to the ends of the chain.
14. Wear your statement necklace, and enjoy all the compliments that you'll receive.
    

How to Make a Notebook with Exotic Wood Covers

I love the look and feel of exotic woods. The colors and the grain patterns are so interesting. This notebook uses exotic woods for the covers. This is an easy project for learning about your Proxxon Micromot tools.

Supplies and Equipment:

• Your choice of 1/8" thick exotic woods blanks
• Paper to fill the notebook
• Three loose leaf binder rings 
• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E and Drill Stand MB 200
• Brad point drill bit

Instructions:

1. Use the table saw to cut the blanks to size. These notebooks measure 3½" x 2¼", but you can adjust to fit your needs.
   
2. Pair two blanks for the front and back covers of the notebook, and tape together with painter's tape. This helps to ensure exact sizing and measurements in the following steps. The tape stays in place until you are ready to assemble the notebook.
   
3. Adjust the angle stop on the disc sander to 0°, and sand the edges of the blanks. (The top and bottom surfaces of my blanks were already beautifully finished, so I didn't need to sand them. If you need to sand these surfaces, do so before pairing the front and back covers.)
   
4. Measure and mark the vertical line for the placement of the holes. On my 3½" x 2¼" notebooks this line is 3/8" from the edge.
   
5. Along the vertical line you marked in Step 4, measure and mark the placement of the holes.
   
6. Place a piece of waste wood under the paired blanks. This prevents tear-out on the bottom blank when drilling the holes.
   
7. Drill the holes using the Professional Rotary Tool mounted in the Drill Stand and a brad point drill bit slightly larger than your binder rings. A brad point drill bit allows for very accurate placement of the bit.
   
8. Cut paper slightly smaller than the wooden covers. I used a stock of paper about ¼" thick. Assemble the pages and covers. For my book I used ½" binder rings. If you are making a larger book or a thicker book, you will need to adjust the size of the binder rings to accommodate the thickness of the pages.
   

How to Make a Wooden Napkin Rings

Everyday objects can help young ones learn shapes and colors—and that is exactly what these napkin rings do. Plus they add a festive touch to your dining table.

Supplies for Making Napkin Rings

• 8½" x 11"x ½" birch plywood or MDF
• Pattern for napkin rings
• FolkArt ColorShift acrylic paints
• Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises

Equipment for Making Napkin Rings

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E and MICROMOT Drill Stand MB

Instructions for Making Napkin Rings

1. Print the pattern for the napkin rings and adhere to wood. Cover the surface of the wood with painter's tape. Next, spray the back of the pattern with spray adhesive, and adhere pattern to top of the painter's tape. The spray adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes for easy removal.
   
2. Use the band saw and scroll saw to cut out the napkin ring shapes. I do the straight cuts on the band saw, and the curves on the scroll saw.

Straight cuts using the band saw

Curved cuts using the scroll saw

3. Drill a pilot hole to insert the scroll saw blade, and cut out the center ring on each shape.  Alternatively, these center holes can be cut using a forstner bit. 
4. Sand the outer edges and rough areas using the disc sander or the Delta sander.
   
5. Orient the rotary tool in the drill stand to a horizontal position and with a sanding disc, sand the interior edges of the center ring.
   
6. Paint the napkin rings with FolkArt ColorShift paints. Set aside to dry.
   
7. Finish with a final coat of Mod Podge.
   

Carole

How to Make a Gift Card Holder Using Exotic Woods

This gift card holder is sure to be a hit during the upcoming holiday gift giving season. Made from exotic woods, these double as beautiful tree ornaments.

Supplies for Making the Gift Card Holder

• Piece of wood 1/8"  x 12" x 3". Select a wood with beautiful color and/or graining such as purpleheart, bubinga, zebra wood, curly maple, etc.
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• 12" length 1/8" ribbon

Equipment for Making the Gift Card Holder

• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand

Instructions for Making the Gift Card Holder

1. Use the table saw to cut two 2½" x 3¾" x 1/8" pieces from your selected wood stock.
2. Use the band saw to cut two 1/8" x 1/8" x 4" and one 1/8" x 1/8" x 3 pieces for the inner spacer frame. Alternatively, this spacer can be cut as a one-piece U shape using the Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E with outside dimensions measuring 3¾" x 2½" x 1/8". For this tutorial I chose to use a three-piece frame spacer.
3. Set the angle gauge on the table saw to 45° and cut the angles on the three frame spacer pieces—two pieces measuring 3¾" long and one piece measuring 2½" long.
4. Glue and clamp the inner frame to one of the 2½" x 3¾" x 1/8" pieces. Set aside for glue to dry.
5. Glue remaining 2½" x 3¾" x 1/8" piece to the top of the inner frame spacer. Set aside for glue to dry.
6. Sand the completed piece on the disc sander or sand with the Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E.
   
7. Measure and mark the center of the top of the holder, and drill a hole through both top and bottom pieces for a ribbon hanger.
8. Slide the gift card into the holder; thread the ribbon through the holes to secure the card; tie the ribbon ends to form a hanger.
   

Carole

How to Make a Triangular Picture Frame

Who said that picture frames have to be rectangular??? What about a triangular picture frame? A triangular frame is easy to make, and perfect decorated as a Christmas tree.

Supplies to Make a Triangular Picture Frame:

• Scrap lengths of ¼" MDF (medium-density fiberboard)
• Scrap piece of ¼" MDF about 3" x 1½"
• Wood glue
• Gesso
• FolkArt Peridot Extreme Glitter acrylic paint
• FolkArt Brushed Gold Brushed Metal acrylic paint
• Wooden skewer
• Hot glue
• Acetate
• Cardstock or light weight chipboard
• Photo

Equipment to Make a Triangular Picture Frame:

• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand
• Proxxon Delta Sander

Instruction for Making a Triangular Picture Frame:

1. Decide on the dimensions of your frame. The sides of my equilateral triangle measure 6½", and I cut the MDF into ½" widths. 
2. The rabbet is a step-shaped recess cut along the back edge of the frame to receive the protective acetate, photo, and backing. To make the rabbet: Adjust the blade height on the table saw to about 1/8". Make a cut 3/8" from the edge of the board. Make successive, parallel cuts moving toward the edge of the board.
   
3. Cut three ½" wide strips for the sides of the frame. These need to be cut longer than your desired finished length to allow for cutting the corner angles. Since I was using scrap, I cut my strips to about 8½".
4. Set the angle gauge on the table saw to 60°.
   
5. With the strip help securely against the angle gauge, make the corner cuts. After making the first cut, measure and mark your desired length along the edge of the strip opposite the rabbet. Repeat for the remaining two sides.
   
6. Use wood glue to glue the three sides together.
   
7. On the back side of the frame, mark the center of the bottom strip. Drill a hole for the support piece, taking care not to drill all the way through to the front of the frame.
   
8. Print the star pattern and adhere to the small scrap piece of MDF. Cover the surface of the MDF with painter's tape. Next, spray the back of the pattern with spray adhesive, and adhere pattern to top of the painter's tape. The spray adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes for easy removal. Cut the stars on the band saw.
   
9. If necessary, sand any rough or uneven edges with the Delta sander. Often when using MDF, you don't need to do any sanding.
10. Cover the frame and star with a cost of gesso.
    
11.  When the gesso is dry, paint the pieces. When the pieces are dry glue the star to the top of the frame.
    
12. Cut acetate, photo, and cardstock to fit the frame. I secured these in place with a bead of hot glue.
13. Insert a skewer or toothpick in the hole you drilled on the bottom strip of the frame to serve as a support. 
    
14. Enjoy your triangular frames!!

How to Make Five Pointed Patchwork Star

This five pointed patchwork star is such a versatile pattern. It can be used as a decorative piece, a coaster, or a trivet depending on the size you make it. There are also many decorating options depending on how you paint it. How about red, white and blue for a patriotic theme? Or, each point a different color to resemble a quilted star? Silver and white tones would be perfect for wedding decorations. Of course, gold metallics are ideal for Christmas ornaments and display pieces.

Supplies and Equipment for Making the Five Pointed Patchwork Star

• Proxxon Table Saw FET
• Proxxon Band Saw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E with Drill Stand MB 200
• FolkArt Brushed Metal Acrylic Paint
• Any piece/s of wood on which five copies of the star point template will fit; use scraps if you have them. (You can vary the thickness of the wood, depending on the effect you want. I used ¼" MDF.) 
• Wood glue
• 8" length of 18 gauge brass wire
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Star point pattern 

Instructions for Making the Five Pointed Patchwork Star

1. Cut out star point pattern. You can vary the size of the star by reducing or increasing the size. I recommend cutting the template out of substantial cardstock or acetate so it maintains its shape through multiple tracings.
2. Trace the template onto your wood. I traced a column of star points the entire length of my piece of MDF.
   
3. I used the table saw to cut the column of star point patterns. Here you can see that I'm adjusting the blade height to be just above the thickness of the MDF.
   
4. I moved to the band saw to cut out the star points. Note: This could also be done on the scroll saw.
   
5. Drill the holes for attaching the star points to one another using the Professional Rotary Tool and Drill Stand. I used a 1/8" HSS twist drill bit with brad point.
   
6. Paint each star point. I used FolkArt Brushed Gold Brushed Metal Acrylic Paint.
   
7. When the paint is dry, glue the star points together with wood glue. This step is not absolutely necessary, but it does give the finished patchwork star extra strength.
   
8. With wire cutters, cut the brass wire into 1½" lengths. Note: If you increase or decrease the size of the star point template or the thickness of the wood, you will need to adjust the length of the brass wires. Bend the brass wires to form a U-shaped staple.
   
9. When the glue is dry, working from the front of the star insert a staple into holes on adjacent star points. 
   
10. Holding the staple in place, turn the star over and flatten the ends.
    

Your five pointed patchwork star is complete—ready to be a used as a decoration, an ornament, or a trivet.