Club Meeting 5th Novemeber 2025
Report by Denise Donovan

“I’m going to have a grizzle” says Bryan, “no-one bothers to make a toy that can be specifically used in a hospital environment. One that can be played with while the patient is in a hospital ward, and then taken home to play with. We should make small toys for individuals that are simple and easy to grasp and hold onto…Simple Shit!!!”

Bryan made a dozen small peg dolls a while ago, as good practise with a skew, and demonstrated how easy they are to make, and showed us the different design options, such as Snowman, Santa, Doll, Clown, Elf etc

Process

• Small block of wood – 30x30x120 approx (A good wood option is offcuts of straight soft wood from a timber merchant)
• Put one end into chuck – bring up tail stock
• 2000 rpm
• Round the wood blank and then remove the tail stock
• Starting at the tail stock end mark out a hat, brim, head, collar, body, legs
• Shape the top of the hat first, followed by the brim, and then work the head
• Optional is to turn a captive ring as a necklace or collar.
• Next turn the body shape
• Lastly, use a Bedan style parting tool to narrow the diameter for the legs
• Part off at base of legs.

Another option is to turn just the wooden body, with a head and hat, and add pipe cleaners for arms and legs, with beads made from 8mm dowel for the feet and hands. These make good “Elf on the Shelf” toys.

While Bryan was turning he had Kieran, Janet and Strett decorating toys already made with Acrylic brush markers purchased from Ali Express – Guang Na brand. These are multi-purpose pens for use on Paper, Rock, Timber, Glass, Canvas etc. The winner to win a set of these Acrylic Brush Pens … And the winner is… Strett … Yay!!!!!