{"id":4531,"date":"2018-12-29T11:01:18","date_gmt":"2018-12-29T11:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.florisbooks.co.uk\/blog\/?p=4531"},"modified":"2023-12-19T14:18:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T14:18:05","slug":"whittling-projects-using-christmas-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.florisbooks.co.uk\/blog\/2018\/12\/29\/whittling-projects-using-christmas-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Whittling Projects Using Your Christmas Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whittling is the perfect activity to keep children entertained in the winter months, and Frank Egholm\u2019s wonderful book \u2013 Easy Wood Carving for Children<\/em><\/a> \u2013 is packed full of more than 50 whittling projects for both new and experienced wood carvers alike. It has lots of practical tips on safe carving techniques and handling tools properly, and demonstrates the many creative possibilities of working with wood.<\/p>\n

One of the best things about this traditional hobby is that it encourages young whittlers to make use of materials that are already readily available to them, and what project could be better at this time of year than these handy hanging hooks and candlesticks \u2013 all made from the branches of your Christmas tree?<\/p>\n

Hanging Hooks<\/strong><\/h1>\n

These hanging hooks can be used for decoration, or even turned in to a bird’s nest for your garden.
\n\"Hanging<\/strong>Materials and Tools
\n<\/strong>\u2022 A Branch where most of the length is above the side branches. The second ring of branches is usually the correct size.
\n\u2022 Whittling knife.
\n\u2022 Drill.
\n\u2022 String.
\n\u2022 Paint, oil or varnish (optional).<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"Bird's<\/p>\n

Method
\n<\/strong>1. Strip the bark. Work carefully and exactly, particularly the tricky bits between the main branch and side branches. It\u2019s likely you\u2019ll get resin on your hands so it\u2019s best to wear gloves.<\/p>\n

2. Round the ends and sand them if you want a smooth finish. You can whittle figures or designs in the main branch to decorate the hooks.\"Figure<\/p>\n

3. Drill a hole in the top part of the trunk (see figure) and knot the string in place.<\/p>\n

4. If you want to, paint or varnish your hanging hooks.<\/p>\n

Candlestick<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Materials and Tools
\n<\/strong>\u2022 Branch, diameter 4\u20135 cm (1\u00bd\u20132 in).
\n\u2022 Whittling knife.
\n\u2022 Metal candle cup, 12\u201314 mm (approx. \u00bd\u2013\u00be in).
\n\u2022 Small screw.
\n\u2022 Candle, diameter to fit the candle cup.
\n\u2022 Paint for decoration (optional).<\/p>\n

\"Candlesticks\"<\/h3>\n

Method
\n<\/strong>Making a pillar or flat candleholder (as seen to the left and in the middle above) is a fairly simple project:<\/p>\n