How to Make Decorative Wooden Skis

Create decorative skis to display in your home or office.

Skiing is a sport enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. Once skiers step away from the snow, they may want something to remind them of their time on the slopes. Anybody can create decorative wooden skis to display in their home. Minor artistic skills, patience and creativity are all it takes to complete.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-by-36-by-8-inch balsa sheet
• Craft knife
• Iron
• Pencil
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Soda can
• Paints
• Paintbrushes
• Polyurethane
• 2-inch foam paintbrush

Instructions

1. Place the balsa on a flat surface. Cut the 36-inch wide sheet into two 4-inch strips with a craft knife.

2. Set the iron at the end of one sheet of balsa, with the point of the iron centered and pointing toward the end. Trace the iron shape onto the balsa with a pencil to create a curved end like a ski. Do not turn the iron on, and remove it once the lines are drawn. Repeat on the second board.

3. Cut along the curved outlines with a craft knife. Cut slowly to avoid cutting off the line and damaging the overall appearance.

4. Sand along the edges of the balsa wood with 220-grit sandpaper. Avoid pressing too hard because balsa is extremely soft and sands away quickly. Round the edges slightly with the sandpaper for a more decorative appearance.

5. Wrap the pointed end around a soda can to create a curve. Hold the tip tightly on the can with one finger, and carefully fold the balsa around the can. Wrap only the cut area. Hold it for one to two minutes and gently let go. The balsa will unfold slightly.

6. Paint a design on the wood with a paintbrush. Allow the paint to dry for two to four hours.

7. Cover the balsa wood with a thin layer of polyurethane. Coat the tip of a foam brush with polyurethane and lightly brush over the wood. Allow the polyurethane to dry for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Place decorative wooden skis on a shelf to display or mount on a wall with small picture brackets.

References

• "Engineering Design Graphics: Sketching, Modeling, and Visualization"; James Leake, et al.; 2008