attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts 
We own hundreds of books, even after donating ones we feel we can pass on to others. Having a bunch of similar bookends in the house in order to keep a consistent style can be costly, so I've started making these colourblock animal bookends for just a few bucks a pair. You can get the plastic animal at the dollar shop, and the wood blocks at craft or home improvement stores. They're so easy to make, and definitely spark up conversations!
Make sure to use long and thin nails for this project as they give you a neater looking finish with far less risk of splitting the wood.
Total Time: 1 hour plus paint dry time
Yield: 1 pair of bookends
Supplies:
- 1 hollow plastic animal toy
- saw
- metal file
- razor blade
- 4 square wood blocks
- 6 nails
- hammer or nail gun
- spray paint
- hot glue or craft glue
- clear enamel spray paint (optional)
Steps:
- Find the midsection of the animal's torso and saw vertically in half.
- File down any bumpy areas so it can sit flush up against the wood.
- Use a razor blade to remove any plastic bits that are hanging off.
- Place one piece of wood on top of another perpendicularly and hammer in 3 finishing nails. Repeat on other 2 pieces of wood.
- Place animal halves on each bookend to see if any more filing is necessary.
- Paint the wood blocks.
- Paint the animal halves. Allow to fully dry.
- Give everything a second coat of paint. Allow to dry.
- Add glue all around the lip of the cut section on the animal and adhere to the center of the standing portion of a wood block.
- Repeat on other side.
- Add a clear enamel coat for a more finished look and as an extra sealant, if desired.
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April 5, 20180 found this helpful
What a fun idea! Also a great way to re-purpose those pesky plastic animals I keep standing on...Yayy!
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts April 5, 20180 found this helpful
Yes!!!! And a bit of a nice payback for the pain they cause to your feet when you're sawing them in half? Ha! Thanks much!!!
suz1230
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 451 Feedbacks April 5, 20180 found this helpful
What a great idea for bookends, and cute as can be too.
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts April 5, 20180 found this helpful
Thanks, Suz! It's so much fun! :)
April 5, 20180 found this helpful
This really smart~ With an older sibling or adult to help, this would be a great birthday or special occasion or Holiday gift. Thanks!
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts April 5, 20180 found this helpful
I agree! Thank you, Jeannie!
April 7, 20180 found this helpful
This is really a neat idea!
I'll be off on an animal hunt soon..
I can just imagine a pink elephant for someone special!
I believe gifts are going to cost less money this year and I think there are other "things" that could be used instead of just animals. Thrift stores and Dollar Tree have so many inexpensive items.
Thanks again for all your fun postings.
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts April 7, 20180 found this helpful
Pink elephant, for sure! Now I want to do one of those! Thanks for stopping by, Betty!
likekinds
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts April 8, 20180 found this helpful
No doubt, these little objet d'art will become cherished keepsakes.
Cute as a bugs ear!
attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts April 9, 20180 found this helpful
Bugs have cute ears?! I'll have to research this ;) Thanks, Doug!
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