Nautical Themed Wood Crafts

Stripes are a common design on lighthouses.

Crafting is both a hobby and an art. Like any other art form, some artists prefer to work in certain styles. Wood crafting, in particular, lends itself to several types of themes, including country crafting, rustic crafting and nautical crafting. If you are interested in the latter, there are several creative nautical-themed wood crafts you can get your crafty little hands on.

Model Ships

Shipbuilding is a centuries-old tradition. Long before model cars and model planes, there were model ships made from wood and fabric. These days, you can purchase model shipbuilding kits. If you are more adventurous, you can even buy model shipbuilding plans and cut your own pieces before building. You can even try your hand at the classic ship-in-a-bottle craft, too. With the variety of ship designs available, you can find one that matches your style, from catamarans to pirate ships.

Carvings

If you are a wood-crafter, you likely have some carving tools already in your toolbox. Try nautical-themed wood carvings. Depending upon your skill level, you may be able to sketch a nautical design on the wood prior to carving. If you fancy yourself a novice in woodcarving, there are woodcarving templates available at some craft stores. These themes include lighthouses, ships and maps.

Lighthouses

Few things denote a nautical theme more than lighthouses. One aspect of lighthouses that make them ideal for crafting is the sheer diversity of lighthouse design. For instance, lighthouses along the East Coast are older and have a more historical look than, say, lighthouses in the Great Lakes region. You can find lighthouse plans to fit your style and skill level.

Trunks

Chests and trunks are nautical staples. There are plenty of design options, whether you are looking for the traditional treasure chest look or a more modern storage trunk look. For an older look, accents your basic trunk with iron latches and corners. For a cleaner look, paint the trunk white and adorn it with rope, tie-down brackets and, depending upon the size of the trunk, a life preserver.