Odin's Toy Factory

Shop Now For woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts! If you're like me, there's nothing quite as satisfying as turning a simple piece of wood into something functional and beautiful. Today, I'm sharing how I make a pair of intricate fretwork shelves made from 1/4-inch-thick oak, all cut using my scroll saw. These little gems are perfect for displaying small items. The process was a mix of precision cutting, careful assembly, and a bit of patience while waiting for the finish to dry. I'll walk you through the steps, complete with photos from my workshop. Let's dive in! Materials and Tools Here's a quick rundown of what I used: Wood: 1/4-inch-thick oak plywood Pattern: I prepared a flowing, ornamental fretwork pattern inspired by Victorian scrollwork – think swirls and flourishes for that elegant touch. Tools: Scroll saw with fine blades (I used #3MGT for the intricate cuts), clamps, wood glue, sandpaper (220-grit), and shellac. Preparing and Cutting the Pieces I started...

  Excalibur EX-21 Scroll Saw My Etsy Shop Avoid purchasing a saw that uses pinned blades. You will regret it. For me, the ease of use and speed of blade changes are paramount.   My saws: Excalibur EX-21 was purchased used a lot. I have completely rebuilt it.  Pegas 21-inch I bought used in like-new condition.   What I appreciate about these saws is that when they are properly aligned, no tension adjustment is necessary. You flip a lever to change the blade, then flip it back into place. This design tilts the blade instead of the table, which makes angled cuts easier to achieve. I have access to parts for both of these saws and have completely rebuilt the Excalibur EX-21.   The Harbor Freight Bauer scroll saw operates similarly to the EX-21/Pegas saws. The lift mechanism is different. It is the lowest-cost saw of all the saws mentioned here. Harbor Freight's in-store warranty is as good as it gets. If it breaks during the warranty period, you can return it to th...

My Etsy Shop I own two bandsaws and two scroll saws. For making toys, a scroll saw is much more useful than a band saw. In making toys, the only thing I have used my bandsaw for is resawing and rocking horses. Scroll saws cut smooth and require very little sanding. Scroll saws easily make inside cuts, something you can't do with a bandsaw. You can make bowls, baskets, puzzles, bandsaw boxes, and much more with a scroll saw. Woodworking Projects Fretwork : Intricate designs cut into thin wood, often used for decorative panels or overlays. Intarsia : Mosaic-like wood art where different wood pieces are cut and fitted together to create images or patterns. Marquetry : Similar to intarsia, but typically involves veneers to create detailed inlays for furniture or wall art. Puzzles : Wooden jigsaw puzzles with interlocking pieces, customizable in shape and complexity. Toys : Small wooden toys like cars, animals, or figures with smooth, detailed cuts. Ornaments : Holiday or decorati...

  Shop Etsy The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with personalized ornaments that add a unique touch to your festive décor? This year, I'm announcing the return of my personalized, handmade Christmas ornaments, featuring a selection that is sure to bring smiles to family and friends. Choose Your Favorite Style You can choose from a variety of enchanting designs, including: Santa in His Sleigh : Capture the magic of Santa’s journey with this whimsical ornament. Teddy Bear : Adorned with a classic Santa-style hat, this sweet bear is perfect for kids and the young at heart. Peace Dove : Symbolizing hope and goodwill, this dove carries a beautiful olive branch for a message of peace. Nativity Scene : This timeless depiction of the Christmas story serves as a lovely reminder of the season’s true meaning. Craftsmanship You Can Trust Each ornament is meticulously handcrafted from 1/4-inch thick maple hardwood plywood, ensuring not only beauty...

Shop Etsy Contact Me  This year, I've put my woodworking skills to work, crafting some delightful unfinished Halloween bats that are perfect for adding a spooky touch to your home. These bats are made from 3/4-inch thick wood, giving them a sturdy feel that makes them quite special compared to many of the thinner cutouts you often find. Each bat has been carefully sanded with 220-grit sandpaper, ensuring they're smooth and primed for your creative touch—whether that involves painting, staining, or even adding some fun embellishments. What's really great about these designs is that they are freestanding, making them versatile for use in crafts or as toys! I offer a variety of sizes to suit any vision you might have, and I'm more than happy to accommodate larger quantities and sizes through custom orders. Customization is a big part of my process, and I welcome the opportunity to work with you to bring your ideas to life. Every piece I create is handmade from natural wood...

The wings, arms, and horns on this baby dragon were resawn from thicker wood on my Shopsmith table saw.   Buy This Dragon In My Etsy Shop Buy This Dragon At Odin's Toy Factory   A little while ago, I stumbled upon a fantastic way to save wood while working on my projects. Rather than resawing and planing thick piece, I began cutting out parts from thicker stock and then resawing the parts to the desired thickness. This technique started on my scroll saw with a zero clearance insert but soon transitioned to my band saw. My latest project was a dragon figurine, which presented a bit of a challenge. The parts were quite small, and the wood I had on hand was too short for my planer. To add to the dilemma, my bandsaw was acting up, so I decided to experiment with the table saw instead. Using a simple method, I attached the small part to a larger piece of wood with two-sided tape. Running it through the table saw slowly, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The cut was incredi...

Shop Etsy Shop Odin's Toy Factory There's something special about creating handmade items that hold a personal touch. Recently, I had the opportunity to create a unique piece that I'm sharing with you: my handmade wooden heart shelf, crafted from beautiful walnut wood.  Typically, I create these charming shelves from oak, known for its durability and beautiful grain. However, one of my customers had a specific vision in mind; she requested a shelf stained a particular color. As much as I appreciate a good stain, I prefer to work with the natural beauty of the wood. So, I presented an alternative: a heart shelf made from walnut. The result? A piece that showcases the rich, warm tones of the walnut, combined with the sweet charm of a heart-shaped design. The customer was thrilled, which truly made my day. I'm pleased to announce that you can now order these heart shelves in both walnut and oak. Whether you're looking for a unique way to display your trinkets, photos, ...

Shop Odin's Toy Factory   Welcome to my latest blog post! Today, I'm sharing the process of crafting a pair of oak fretwork shelves, which are now available in my Etsy shop. These shelves are more than just functional pieces; they are a testament to the beauty of skilled woodworking and the rich grain of oak.   Step 1: Preparation and Design The journey begins with a solid plan. I create a detailed template for the fretwork design, ensuring precision in every cut. This stage sets the foundation for the entire project.   Step 2: Cutting the Fretwork Next, I carefully cut out the design using my scroll saw. This process requires patience and attention to detail. You can see the intricate patterns coming to life as the saw navigates through the oak, leaving behind a stunning silhouette that will soon become a beautiful shelf.   Step 3: Assembly of Pieces Once all the pieces are cut, I arrange them on my workbench and dry-fit all of the pieces to see how they will come ...

Custom Orders Are Welcome Contact Me   I recently had the pleasure of creating a custom yard art turkey for a special order. The process was both challenging and rewarding, and I wanted to share some insights about how it all came together. The buyer provided a paper pattern that needed to be scanned using a large-format scanner. One of her main requests was to ensure that the pattern remained undamaged during the scanning process, which added an extra layer of care to the task. Thankfully, there’s a FedEx Store nearby that offers a self-service scanner. While it isn’t the cheapest option, the quality of the scans is excellent, which made it worth the investment. I always scan my own paper patterns, however, my scanner was much to small for this job. Once I had the scanned pattern ready to go, I transitioned to crafting the actual turkey. I chose to work with 1x12 yellow pine for its durability. Using my Excalibur EX-21 scroll saw, I shaped the turkey with precision. While a bandsa...

Shop Odin's Toy Factory on Goimagine Shop Odin's Toy Factory on Etsy The holiday season is a time for joy, warmth, and cherished traditions. One way to capture that festive spirit in your home is by adorning your Christmas tree with unique decorations that tell a story. This year, I want to share a beautiful option: the Handmade Classic Wooden Christmas Tree Ornament from Odin's Toy Factory. Craftsmanship You Can See and Feel Each piece is handcrafted from light-colored wood, showcasing a natural grain pattern that adds depth and character. The design features an elegant, symmetrical layout with a central circular cutout, surrounded by gracefully curved petals. Perfect for Any Holiday Display This ornament isn't just for the tree. Its lightweight construction and charming design make it perfect for various holiday displays around your home. Imagine it hanging in a window, catching the light and casting enchanting shadows, or as part of a rustic home decor collection. T...

Shop Odin's Toy Factory Shop Etsy As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect time to start thinking about how to adorn your Christmas tree with unique and meaningful decorations. One standout piece that promises to add a touch of elegance to your festive decor is my handcrafted Victorian-style wooden fretwork floral heart Christmas tree ornament.   A Touch of Victorian Elegance This beautiful ornament showcases a heart-shaped design that is sure to catch the eye. Crafted carefully, it features intricate cut-out designs that evoke the romantic spirit of the Victorian era. The scalloped edges add a soft, delicate touch, enhancing the piece's overall aesthetic.   Floral Patterns that Tell a Story One of the most captivating aspects of this ornament is its detailed floral patterns. Adorned with beautifully carved roses and leaves, the design brings the beauty of nature indoors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere during the holidays. Each detail is thoughtfully scul...