Holiday Mantel Art

By RYOBI NATION FEATURED CREATORS

SKILL
intermediate

This project was inspired by large ornaments that hang in department stores and other holiday displays. I wanted to create something ornament shaped and large, so I let some half-formed ideas rattle around in my brain for a while and this is what came out. Created by @myalteredstate

Tools

  • 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Jig Saw
  • 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 8-1/4" Table Saw
  • Scroll Saw
  • 18V ONE+ Airstrike16 GA Finish Nailer
  • 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Air Strike 18 GA Brad Nailer
  • 18V ONE+ 5" Random Orbit Sander
  • 18V ONE+ 7-1/4" Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Accessories

  • 10 PC. ALL-PURPOSE JIGSAW BLADE SET

Materials

  • 1"X4' Pine Board
  • 1/4" Plywood
  • Mini String Lights
  • Scrap Wood
  • Wood Glue

Steps

STEP 1

First, cut two squares of 1/4 in plywood to measure 16x16”. They will be the front and back of the shadow box.

Tools

Miter Saw
cutting plywood to size

STEP 2

Next, cut a large ornament shape from paper and trace it onto the center of one of the squares.

cutting out ornaments

STEP 3

Cut some scrap wood strips to measure 14.5” in length. They will be glued to the other square of plywood to create the back wall of the piece.

Tools

Miter Saw
Cutting scrap wood to size

STEP 4

Next, glue the pieces onto the plywood backing, using heavy objects to clamp the wood strips down. Leave 3/4 in of space all the way around so the frame can be “sandwiched” between the front and back pieces of plywood.

Gluing pieces onto plywood backing

STEP 5

When glue has dried, lay out your frame around the scrap wood strips.

Arranging wood pieces

STEP 6

Glue and nail the frame together at the corners.

Tools

Brad Nailer
nailing frame together

STEP 7

Flip everything over, and attach the backing to the frame.

Tools

Finish Nailer
flipping over art piece

STEP 8

Front panel cut out: I used a table saw to ensure a perfectly straight line for the ornament “string”.

Tools

Table Saw
cutting ornament string line

STEP 9

Cut out along the traced line with the scroll saw to cut out the ornament shapes.

Tools

Scroll Saw
cutting out ornaments

STEP 10

Sand any rough edges.

Tools

Orbit Sander
sanding the wood

STEP 11

Attach front panel ornament cutout piece to the frame.

Tools

Finish Nailer
attaching front panel piece

STEP 12

For added effect, install some battery operated Christmas lights to the back of the front panel. (I used painter’s tape because it’s easy to remove.)

Installing lights

STEP 12

…and there you have it! A unique holiday mantel display for the love of overly-large ornaments!

holiday ornament