Grab your jigsaw and safety glasses. It’s Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas here on IBC.
From baking to decorating to sawdust making, I’m covering it all this holiday season. Today we are breaking out the power tools to create a unique, yet truly festive addition to your holiday mantel.
In years past, I’ve seen fellow bloggers and designers use vintage wood sock forms as “stockings” to adorn their fireplaces. I always loved how those looked. So I did some digging and found a few wood sock forms on online. Unfortunately they cost more than I wanted to spend. They also didn’t quite have the look I was after. I was disappointed, but decided to use this bump in the road as a DIY challenge.
I’d never used a jigsaw before, but I figured, why not make my own “vintage” sock forms. And that’s what I did. (And speaking of jigsaws, at the end of this post, I’m giving one away!)
Pretty cool and authentic looking, right?
I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out. After a quick trip to Lowe’s to buy my tools and supplies, I had a totally unique and personal way to decorate my fireplace for Christmas.
Because my Holiday Home Tour hasn’t happened yet (It goes live tomorrow.), I’m trying not to reveal my entire mantel / living room decor. However, what I love most about these DIY Wood Stockings is the vintage element they add to the space. They also feel right at home with my wood floors and wood topped coffee table.
In case you’re interested in making your own wood stockings, I thought I’d walk you through the steps I followed.
First, here’s what you will need:
1X4 pine boards
Jigsaw
Orbital sander
Drill and drill bit
Wood stain (I used Minwax Provincial.)
Finishing wax
Cotton rags
Latex gloves
Twine
Pencil
Safety glasses
Let’s get started.
Using a pencil, draw your sock+ forms onto the wood. I just freehanded mine. Model your stockings after mine or search for images of vintage sock forms online. My stockings range in length from 15 to 26 inches. (Also, once you have a couple cut out, you can trace them onto another board to create more. That’s what I did. I varied the tracing slightly so they were all a bit different.)
Next, with your jigsaw, cut out the stockings. (Please follow all of the safety precautions listed in the operation manual of your particular jigsaw.)
Now drill a hole in the top of each stocking about 1 1/2 inches from the top. (You’ll use this hole to hang your finished stocking.)
Once your forms are cut and drilled, use an orbital sander to remove any pencil lines and smooth the edges. I sanded my edges so they had a softer, rounded look. Remove all dust after sanding.
Now it’s time to stain. Wearing a pair of latex gloves, apply the stain to the wood using a lint-free cotton rag. Wipe off any excess. Allow the stain to dry completely.
The next step is sealing your project with a finishing wax. Again with gloved hands, use a lint-free cotton rag and work the finishing wax into the wood in a circular motion. Wipe off any excess wax with a rag. Allow the wax to dry completely. Overnight is best.
Finally, run some twine or string through the hole you drilled earlier, and your new “vintage” stocking is ready to hang.
I used small gold hooks drilled into the bottom of my mantel to hang my wood stockings. However, you can use whatever method works best for you.
A few more things about the stockings:
I decided to use stain because I was going for a rustic vintage feel. However, if you want a crisp, bold look, you could certainly paint the sock forms.
Also, you don’t need a mantel to hang these. I think one of these wood socks would look great hanging from a coat hook, banister, or even a dresser or bookcase. The options are endless.
Regardless of how you choose to display your stockings, this is a fun project that’s great for a beginning woodworker / DIYer.
Moving on, let’s talk about today’s giveaway.
My wonderful friends at Lowe’s and I thought it would be a great to provide a lucky IBC reader with some of the tools and a little spending money to create this project.
So, thanks in part to Lowe’s, I’m giving away a Bosch 7-Amp Keyless Jigsaw and a $50 Lowe’s Gift Card
To enter to win, use the entry form below. (Those viewing this on a blog reader may need to visit the actual post by clicking here.)
Simply type in your email address in the box.
Bonus entries are available for follows / sharing on social media.
This giveaway is open to readers in the United States and Canada. You must be 18 or older to win. Void where prohibited. This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm ET on Wednesday, December 9. The winner will be randomly selected, contacted by email, and announced at the top of this post.
Wishing you luck!
I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did. Please join me back here tomorrow as I show you around my home for my second annual Holiday Home Tour. See you then!
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Lowe’s. The opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.
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