How to Make Gilded Polar Bear Bookends
Has anyone else been eyeing the swanky gold animal bookends seen around lately? Create your own set with a large plastic animal and some leftover cuts of wood. This polar bear is just perfect for your winter décor.
Materials:
– plastic polar bear (available at Michael’s)
– 2 thick pieces of wood (you can start with one and cut it in half at the same place as where you cut the polar bear)
Tools:
– super glue
– gold spray paint
Instructions:
1. Cut your polar bear in half — we used a band saw but this can also be done with a handsaw. A metal square and cast off pieces of wood can be used to ensure that you are cutting your polar bear at a right angle.
2. When finished cutting, ensure that your cut is perpendicular to the ground or flat surface where the polar bear will be standing. Sand the excess plastic pieces from the cut off the outside of the bear.
3. Line up your bear on the wood base and use a book or another piece of wood to measure up your placement. Once the bear is in place with where you want it, use super glue to affix the bear to the wood. Let dry for at least 30 minutes.
4. Once your bear is glued on to the wood, spray each book end gold and let dry.
5. Place your bookends on either side of your books and you are good to go!
First up, get your materials together.
Now, it’s time to set up your polar bear on your band saw.
Go ahead and cut. We know, it feels kind of morbid but it’s for the gilded good.
When finished cutting, ensure that your cut is perpendicular to the ground or flat surface where the polar bear will be standing. Sand the excess plastic pieces from the cut off the outside of the bear. Line up your bear on the wood base and use a book or another piece of wood to measure up your placement. Once the bear is in place with where you want it, use super glue to affix the bear to the wood.
Let dry for at least 30 minutes. Despite the glue being “super” it may take longer to dry than you think, especially if you use a lot which you should because the bear’s paws are large. If you touch it and knock it out of place you will have to wait all over again – I know from experience!
Once your bear is glued on to the wood, spray each book end gold and let dry.
Place your bookends on either side of your books and you are good to go!
What cool decor trends would you like us to try DIY-ing? Talk to us in the comments below.
