Eastern White Pine is considered one of the best woods for crafts, since it’s so easy to carve and sand, leading to a smooth final product that will age beautifully over time. It’s recommended for a wide range of products, including birdhouses, toys, magazine racks, signs and other handmade items – there’s virtually no end to what can be created with it. You can find Eastern White Pine at most hardware stores, or purchase craft packs online from shops like The Wood Box. A site called All Crafts offers a large compendium of woodworking plans for small projects like these. Here are three examples.
Birdhouses
From Birds & Blooms comes a simple pine birdhouse project using minimal materials and tools. It’s an easy task for anyone who wants to try their hand at a basic building project, even if you’ve never built anything before. The hole size is variable so you can customize it to the types of birds in your yard, whether you’ve got an abundance of little chickadees or larger bluebirds.
Toy Cars and Trains
Tarjany Designs and Woodcraft.com sell plans for traditional, non-toxic wooden toys, ranging from single cars made from a single slab of wood to intricate train sets with moving parts. No matter what your skill level is, you can find a project to make as a gift for a special little one in your life.
Simple Spice Rack or Pantry Door Rack
A spice rack is another simple DIY wood craft project that can serve as an introduction to making more complex items. Make a small one with just three shelves using the free plans at Woodworking Down Under, or try your hand at a larger rack that fits inside the pantry door at Shanty 2 Chic.
