So this is a different take on the previous shelf bracket concept. The basic shelf bracket can be adapted to just about any theme. Using a scroll saw you can cut out just about any character for that one-of-a-kind bookshelf. Again I recommend that it be cut out of a material similar to Masonite or plywood that does not have a wood grain. This is so the tail can withstand the extra stress that may be placed on it. If you're only planning to hang lightweight items off of the tail then I would go ahead and use 1/2" or 3/4" wood stock. Again the amount of weight that the hook can withstand greatly depends on how the grains in the wood run. The shelf on top of the bracket will set high enough to protect the horns from being broken off or snagging items on them.
I created this design for someone I know that loves to read fantasy books and I hope that you will love this design as much as I do.
The following is a free pattern for a shelf bracket with hook.
This pattern is pretty much self-explanatory. The flower design is optional and can be created by either wood-burning, carving or scroll saw.
Brackets are screwed to the wall and to the shelf. The hook gives you a place to hang things such as a purse.
Be sure to use appropriate screws and fasteners. As always the pattern can be adjusted to fit the size of your project. Long shelves should consider using more than just to brackets, if you're looking to hang heavy items from the hook it is recommended that the bracket be cut out of material that does not have wood grains, which can cause weak points in the hook.
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If it is done right it's a pretty cool project. A light tug on the pull string and the bat will appear to be flying. It makes a really cool decoration and center of conversation . The entire project is held together by chords or heavy string and works something like a marionette. NOTE: it should not be hung over a crib and should be kept out of reach of small children as the chords and strings can become a choking hazard!
First drill your preliminary holes and attach the wings to the body using your chosen cord or string. Making sure that the corridor string you choose is heavy enough to support the weight of the project. Start with a ring or loop at the top, add four strings of equal length. (Length is about 18 to 24 inches ) Run two strings on each side of the bat through slits cut in to the dowel and use a dowel to keep your strings separated. You should now have two strings on each side of the dowel for the wings. The most difficult thing about a project like this is finding the right balance points. Adjusting the weight in the pull cord is usually the easiest but in some cases you may have to move the cord holes that support the bat. The two outer holes can be moved closer to the body if the body is too heavy or move them slightly further out if the wings are too heavy. Before painting and finishing your project it is best to do a trial run with everything assembled temporarily. If it is done correctly it should be balanced as shown above in the small diagram. Holes drilled in the wrong place can be filled in with putty or glue and sawdust. Be sure and take notes of where the correct balance holes are if you intend to make more than one .The body can be sanded down to remove some weight or a thinner wood stock can be used. Basically the body should equal the weight of the two wings. Metal washers can be sandwiched In between two pull cord bats or a thicker one that is hollowed out if extra weight is needed for the body. The pull cord bat is actually optional and should be included with the total body weight if used.
Once you have your project balanced you can then proceed to paint your project. Keep in mind to use an equal number of coats of paint for both the wings and the body so as not to throw your weights off.
One of the nice things about this project as it uses a single color paint with only a few highlights as desired. Can use plastic animal eyes to make it more realistic or paint a couple of thumbtacks.
NOTE: If you want to make a quick trial mobile, it can be made out of cardboard or poster board.
In the poster board bat I had to move the holes for the wings out further to accommodate the width of the pencil length dowel. I used paperclips on the wings to adjust the balance. This way once I have the weight correctly adjusted I could simply insert the paperclips into the foam part of the wings Instead of using the small bat on the pull cord I used beads as a counterweight. That is so I can add or subtract however many beads I needed to. I also used beads on the underside of the wings to keep the embroidery thread from pulling through.
The size and type of material will always cause you to make adjustments in the location of the holes, the weights in the wings, and the counterbalance on the belly (pull cord beads). This is why you completely assemble your project. Paint, eyeballs and anything else you add to the project also adds weight.
Once you have made all your adjustments and have decided on all the materials that you're going to use, it is a good idea to make notes and adjustments to your pattern. That way any copies you build in the future will be simple and easy.
As always it should be noted that this prototype design is the property of Nevada crafter.com it is free to the public to use so long as it is not put into mass production. (Anything over 500) please also note that this post is copyrighted and Nevada crafter does not allow reprint, redistribution or republishing without permission from Nevada crafter.com
This is probably the most complicated whirligig design that I have created thus far. And as such I would like to stress that this is an untested design that may be better suited as a decoration indoors rather than an actual functioning whirligig or weathervane.
The reason for the complexity is that it uses several different materials that are not usually incorporated into a whirligig. The design is a steam punk style and uses everything from wire, tubing and even wiremesh.
I think it would look really cool using a copper mesh for the netting. The balloon itself is a simple oval 1/4" cut out painted gray to resembled the dirigibles used during the Victorian era. The guide wires or ropes will need to be some type of rigid wire such as brass welding rod or even bicycle spokes to support the balloon. Steam generator in the middle can be part wood but also could be just as easily fashioned out of a metal cut out. Tubing could be substituted with copper or brass wire. The steam gauge itself can be a sliced dowel painted silver and then applying a decal for the gauge and numbers. The ship body is cut out of 1/2" to 5/8" wood stock. The propeller is actually quite simple, in that it is a dowel using beads as a spacer and cap.
The rest of the design is left open for your own imagination, such as the type and style of anchor that you wish to use or whether you would want to add any ports. I personally thought about drilling a hole in the side and then mounting glass marbles as port windows. You could probably use pipe fittings or even Sculpeyclay for copper or brass fittings.
If you have any suggestions or ideas please feel free to post them in the comment section. I'd be very interested in hearing people's input so I can make improvements on the design or future designs.
Enlarge this design to whatever size you need.The length can be adjusted to however long you need. I recommend recessing the dowel handle or even drilling a hole all the way through for the dowel. Then hold in place with screws and or glue. Make sure you use the appropriate length screws and glue for the bottom and sides. Sand the sides of the project so that you can stain the wood afterward, but painting or decorating the box would probably also work.
Once you're finished with the project all you have left to do is to fill it with your favorite goodies for your favorite person and you will have a gift they will not soon forget. I love this project because it is such a versatile gift that can be given to him or her. It leaves them with something to use after they have consumed the goodies inside and could be used as a toolbox or even a planter for the front porch.
This is an untested design, so adjustments and alterations may be required. It is a basic design that could be altered so that a propeller could be added if you wanted to turn it into a whirligig. The pivot pin has been mounted as far forward as possible so that the dragonfly is always flying into the wind. It may be necessary to move the pivot pin slightly back for added strength depending on average wind speeds. Here in Nevada wind speeds can gust upwards of 60 miles an hour or more and may require that the wings be mounted more flat or even a downward slant to prevent dragonfly from being blown off the pivot post.
Although this design is presented for entertainment purposes it could quite easily be used as a pattern to create the actual weathervane.
Be sure and check out our website and other blogs for additional ideas and concepts.
The concept behind this design is to give a kaleidoscope effect. Each of the flower propellers rotate in opposite direction. If two drastically opposite colors are used such as black and white or yellow and blue, the effect is enhanced. The design of the propellers could also be applied to other designs in different combinations. Also keep in mind that this is not a pattern, it is a design concept. This way the design does not restrict you to a rigid pattern that can only be used for the one design.
Be sure and check out our website www.nevadacrafter.com here you will find links to our other blogs, YouTube videos and other posts. We hope that this post is informative and inspires you to create your own designs. Happy crafting from the Nevada Crafter.
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black widow spider silhouette
This design is copyrighted by Nevadacrafter.com 2016 and not to be reprinted, redistributed or republished in any other format without the consent of Nevada crafter.com. This pattern is free for you to use for your personal use only. And not to be used for mass production of any kind.
The silhouette makes a great Halloween cut out for a yard decoration, business sign or if you're just into the spiders.
This image is impregnated with visible and encoded watermarks.
This design is copyrighted by Nevadacrafter.com 2016 and not to be reprinted, redistributed or republished in any other format without the consent of Nevada crafter.com. This pattern is free for you to use for your personal use only. And not to be used for mass production of any kind.
This is a simple cat silhouette from the previous post. It has been slightly modified to be used as a silhouette by itself. As before this image is copyrighted by Nevada crafter.com and is not to be used for republication. It is published here only as a pattern for personal non-commercial use only.
Note: make sure flower petals are angled to form a propeller. It should also be noted that this is not a pattern but a concept as the drawing was not done to scale.
Limited use pattern for personal use only. Reprinting or publishing this pattern is prohibited. Mass production in excess of 200 without Nevadacrafters permission is prohibited. Nevadacrafter.com reserves all rights and copyrights to this pattern.
The silhouette can be used as a stand-alone yard ornament or incorporated into a whirligig or weathervane. Please feel free to leave constructive comments or suggestions. We will try to reply within a reasonable time.
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The following is a multiuse butterfly pattern. It is designed so that it can be used on fabric as well as in woodworking, or other craft projects. The design can be copied for personal use on fabric as a outline for a butterfly pattern that would be filled in with fabric paints. It can also be traced onto wood and then cut out with a scroll saw. He can then be painted and used as a yard ornament.
Feel free to use this pattern for your personal use only. Do not reproduce or redistribute this pattern. Do not use pattern in mass production or in commercial use. If you wish to purchase copyrights or limited production copyrights they are available from Nevadacrafter.com.
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