I am so so excited about this post today! I shared a little sneak peek on instagram a few weeks ago, and it seriously might be my favorite project to date. It’s just one of those that turned out exactly how you had it pictured in your head, maybe even a little better! : ) I made them for Adam’s Vintage Travel theme nursery (see my inspiration here). Are you ready for the wooden arrow tutorial?
You will be amazed how easy these are! If you’ve never done much with saws, this is a great beginner project to teach you 45 degree angles! You can do it, I promise ; )
Supplies:
– Miter Saw
– Tape Measure
– Pencil
– Right Angle
– Safety goggles
– Craft Wood or 1×4’s
– Wood Stain
– Mending Plates (1/2″ screws if it doesn’t come with them)
– Drill
Wooden Arrow Tutorial:
First thing you want to do is get your wood and figure out how long you want it. I used some craft wood I found at Home Depot that was 24″ long and just a little thinner than a 1×4, but you can just as easily use 1×4’s. Since mine were 24″ I just found the center and cut them in half. Make sure you find the center both horizontally and vertically and mark it, then you will center your 45 decree angle on that mark. In the picture below you can see where I made my marks to take advantage of the entire board.
As you can see it took 2 24″ board to complete one arrow. Place your board in your miter saw (set to a 45 degree angle) and make your cuts. Once your done you just lay it out as shown above. Make all your cuts until you have as many arrows as you need.
Once you are done cutting go ahead and stain or paint the wood to your desired color. I used a Minwax Dark Walnut and applied it with a lint free cloth. I chose not to seal mine since they are hanging on the wall and I wanted them to have a dull finish (no shine). But that is just personal preference. Some people might argue that it has to be sealed, but since nobody will be touching these I’m not worried about it.
After they are stained, you just want to add your mending plates on the back of your arrows to keep your wood together. You can also glue it before using the mending plates to give it that extra strength, but just the mending plates worked for me. I then found the center of the entire arrow (for weight purposes) and added a saw tooth picture hanger to hang on the wall.
And that’s it, you are done : ) Now you can sit back and enjoy your new beautiful arrows!
Where would you put yours? I think I want some in my living room now!
Adam’s nursery is slowly coming along (update: It is FINISHED). Here are some projects I have finished for his nursery.
HI Ashley,
These are great. I could see making all kinds of things for different rooms or seasons. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jessica! I know, would it be weird if I put them all over my house, lol!
I love it!! I would put it in my hallway. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you Crystal! I think these would look awesome in a hallway!
I <3 this!! I have a wall that needs something and this just might be it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Lindsey! I would love to see how yours turn out if you make them!
Love this Ashley! So cool and pretty. I want this in my craft space. Thanks for the tutorial!
Thanks Ginger! These would be so cute in a craft space! You could paint them some fun colors! : ) Have a great day!
So cool! And congrats on the baby!
Ashley, I am OBSESSED with these arrows!! I want to make some for my house now! Awesome job, girl!
This is so amazing, it looks perfect above the crib. Newest FB Follower
I LOVE this! Thanks so much for sharing! My son has a camping theme room and I think this might look cool in there!
thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – you were featured today!
–Mandy, SugarBeeCrafts.com
Oh my goodness, these are adorable! I love the simplicity and how chic they are. I want to make them!
Darling! I love it :) Off to pin!
I don’t know how I missed your comment, but having you pin this…. I can go to bed happy ; ) I love everything you do!! Thanks for stopping by : )
I am already invisioning one of these in my bedroom! What a super awesome idea!
xoxoxo
Jessica
http://www.thejunknest.blogspot.com
So glad you like it Jessica! Would love to see if you make some!
I already told you about my love for these arrows on G+ but I just had to tell you again. Love them so much, Ashley. That dark walnut stain is perfect!
You’re too sweet Chelsea! Thank you so much : )
Love this Ashley! So cool and pretty. I want this in my craft space. Thanks for the tutorial!
oh, I love that! great idea, and beautifully executed :)
Thanks so much!
Love this Ashley! Pinning and making. xoxo
Thanks Johnnie! I had the idea in my head for so long and when I finally made them I couldn’t believe I waited all that time, they are so easy!!
That looks so cool. I love the natural yet trendy feel to it.
Thank you, that is totally what I was hoping for too, that almost never happens for me!
Okay. This is so cool! I love the way this turned out. Your nursery looks like it is really coming together. Definitely pinning this one ! :)
Thanks so much Alexis
Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my blog tonday! Come stop by and grab a featured button! http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2013/10/your-whims-wednesday-135-and-features.html
Hi – I featured your cool project here:
http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2013/11/made-by-me-102-linky-party-and-features.html
Thanks for joining in the party :)!
Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to party with you!
I’ve had this pinned for a while and just bought the stuff to make it. I’m confused on how I would use mending plates to hold all 4 pieces together for one arrow. Can you explain this please! Love the theme for your nursery. It turned out perfect!
Thank you : ) I used four total. One to hold the two top pieces together, one to hold the two bottom pieces together. Then I used two to connect the two separate halves. I will email you a picture so that makes more sense : ) You should have it in just a few minutes : )
Could you email me a picture of the back of the arrows as well? Just want to see kind of mounting plates you used as well as where you put them. Thanks!
Me too please!
You should join then together using a kreg jig. I cut and sanded the pieces this evening using cedar and will join them with the pocket hole screws.
love this project…. we are going to make them for a staircase wall.
Thank you so much!! I would love to see how it turns out : )
I know this is an older post but I too would love to see how you connected the back. I love these arrows and can’t wait to try them out myself (but I am a serious beginner)! Thanks so much for the post.
Hey Kim, I will send you an email in just a few minutes, I’ll have to go snap pic with my phone : )
I’m making this for my son’s room. Please send it to me as well.
Thank you
My wife saw this and has told me to make these for our preemie sons room. :)
Like the comment above, how is it connected to the wall? Can you send me a picture as well?
Also, if I don’t have a Miter Saw. Any other recommendations on cutting these?
Thanks so much!
Hey Brad, So sorry for the delayed response. I just used one of the sawtooth picture hangers that you find on the backs of regular picture frames. They are less than a dollar at walmart. If you don’t have a miter saw, you can always just draw a 45 degree line and use a circular saw… it just might not be as precise as the miter saw. They also have miter boxes that you can use with a hand saw. I just sent you an email of the back of the arrows : ) Let me know if you have any other questions! Have a great night!
Super cute idea.
Thanks Lila! : )
Hi! I am in the process of making these! I am obsessed with your idea- so cute! I too, am confused about the back. Could you send me an email with the back pictures as well? Thank you SO, SO much! You’re amazing!
Hi! I just sent you an email with the picture! : ) Would love to see how yours turn out!
I am curious where you got that size of mending plates. I can only find really long ones. Did you just cut them?
Hey Ashley!
I purchased the same burlap fabric to make the burlap crib skirt but now that I try to see the tutorial it says your site will be right back! Can you send me the tutorial if the link isn’t working?
Cheers, Crystal
Crazy cool thanks
Hey Ashley!
I LOVE these arrows! I want to make some (And I love wood work and would love to get into making things like you!) But I am also on a budget. Can you suggest another way to cut the wood? I don’t have access to a table saw, or the funds at the moment.
Thank you!!
Hello I am wondering approximately how much the cost of making your own arrows is? Everything included. Thanks. Their beautiful by th way!
Hi Ashley,
I just love your tutorial on DIY Wooden Arrows, they are awesome!!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
I am using stodoys instructions to make it and I do it already :)
Cool work. Love this way. Hope i could make one by this diy Tutorial
The DIY wooden arrows guide you so well. It can both be redecorated and guided. I like so much.
Thanks for sharing
Hey Ashley,
Beautifully described…
Thanks
Hi,
Thank you so mcuh for the great tutorial <3
This inspired me to update my room decor a bit before we are set free again haha. Here are some other awesome woodworking plans I'm checking out as well: http://bit.ly/woodprojectsfans I found really helpful for my wood projects.
Stay safe!
Sofia
This is so nice, I love it.
Such a beautiful and easy idea! I Will be doing this tomorrow at my house cleaning business office.
Love these!! How big is each arrow?
I think this one is the easiest one “Wooden Arrow ” and unique also . Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Love this organic decorating Home decor stuff, this seems so perfect and amazing.
Ur mom is adopted
Love this DIY Wooden Arrow Tutorial, amazing craft. Thanks for sharing with us . Will definitely gonna try this one .
Love this DIY Wooden Arrow Tutorial, this one seems super amazing. Super excited to try this unique wooden arrow tutorial , thanks for sharing this one with us.
This DIY Wooden Arrow Tutorial can be best used for road side restaurants or direction signs and can also be used for creative type home decors. Thank you for sharing with us.
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