Handcrafted Wooden Victorian Style Heart Christmas Tree Ornament - Made In USA

My Ornaments

This holiday season, consider adding a special touch to your Christmas tree with a unique handcrafted ornament. The Victorian-style heart ornament is made in the USA from reclaimed wood and hand-finished with clear shellac, enhancing its natural beauty and durability.

Measuring approximately 3x3 inches, this ornament is perfect for any tree and is sure to stand out as a cherished heirloom for years to come. However, only one ornament is available, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

Every item is handcrafted from natural wood, ensuring each ornament has a unique appearance. Variations in wood grain, color, and texture add character and charm to each piece. Expect slight differences between the item received and the photos, as well as potential variations in thickness.

If there are specific design requests or size preferences, feel free to contact me before placing an order for the best possible experience. 

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida

Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Belt Sander

My Ornaments

After removing the labels and allowing the solvent to dry, I sand the sides of the ornaments using my Shopsmith 6x48-inch belt sander. Each side should be lightly sanded for a few seconds with a 120-grit sanding belt. This sanding process eliminates tool marks, residual adhesive, and any minor tear-out created by the scroll saw.

Sanding small pieces with a belt sander requires your undivided attention to avoid sanding my fingertips. I have tried many sanding methods over the years and never found a way that works better than my sanding belt.

Handcrafted Wooden Victorian Style Fretwork Christian Cross - Made In USA

My Ornaments

Looking for a unique addition to holiday decor? Consider a handmade Victorian-style Christmas tree ornament that adds charm and character to any setting. Crafted from natural wood and hand-finished with clear shellac, this ornament is designed to become a cherished heirloom.

Approximate Size: 4.25x4 inches  - Larger sizes are available.

Every piece is crafted from natural wood and wood products; each ornament is one-of-a-kind. Variations in appearance are normal, so the ornament you receive may differ slightly from the one shown in the listing photos. Additionally, the thickness of the wood may vary slightly.

Natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots enhance each piece's character and charm. These distinctions should be embraced and are not considered defects. For specific requests regarding look or size, contact me before placing an order.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, this ornament makes for a thoughtful gift or a special addition to personal holiday traditions.

 

Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Patterns Are All Removed

My Ornaments

 If you’re into woodworking or crafting, you know that the details really matter, and removing patterns cleanly is a crucial step in the process.

I have developed a method for removing the patterns that’s both efficient and effective. Here’s how I do it:

First, I wet each pattern with mineral spirits. It’s essential to let the spirits sit for a short period, allowing them to soften and dissolve the glue. This step is key because it means that when I finally pull the patterns off, most of the adhesive comes off with them. 

After removing the patterns, I often find some residue left behind on the wood. Not to worry! A quick wipe with a blue paper towel takes care of that little bit of leftover glue. And any stubborn adhesive remaining in the wood will be sanded away during the finishing of the flat surfaces. 

With 283 hippopotamus ornaments in this batch, it takes me about 4 hours to complete the entire removal process. While I could technically do this without the solvent, I’ve learned that it takes significantly longer and can be a bit more tedious.

Victorian Style Wooden Fretwork Cross - Christmas Tree Ornament - Made In USA

 

My Ornaments

This handmade wooden Victorian-style Christmas tree ornament is perfect for your holiday decor. It is made from wood and is hand-finished with clear shellac. 

Approximate Size: 4.75x4.25 Inches

All the items I create are handmade using natural wood and wood products. Each piece is unique and may vary in appearance from one item to the next. The item you receive may differ slightly from the item pictured in the listing photos. The thickness of the wood used in your item may also vary slightly from the size specified in the listing.

It's important to note that the natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece one-of-a-kind, adding to its character and charm. The variations should be expected and are not considered defects. If you have any concerns about the variations or would like to request a specific look or size, please contact me before placing your order, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Hippopotamus Christmas Tree Ornament: Removing the Patterns

 

 

My Ornaments

For this project, I am using shipping labels for the patterns. Half-sheet shipping labels are the perfect size for the hippo ornament project and require only minor trimming to fit the maximum number of hippos on each board. While I could attach one hippo pattern at a time to fit more on a board, that approach is very time-consuming. 

I created the patterns using Inkscape, setting the page size to match the label dimensions to determine the best arrangement. Once the arrangement was finalized, I changed the page size back to standard letter size and copied the patterns to the bottom half of the page. All my patterns are printed on a Brother laser printer.

The best method I have discovered for removing patterns after cutting is to soak the paper label with mineral spirits. After letting it sit for a couple of minutes, the patterns come off easily without damaging the wood. While I can peel off the patterns without using mineral spirits, the adhesive tends to pull some wood fibers off. The only downside to using mineral spirits is that you need to let the pieces dry before applying glue or finish.