From the mind and heart of Deanna-used with permission 2004
do not use, forward or copy without express permission of the author
For those who have been enchanted by a finger labyrinth carved into a tree trunk after the tree has been cut down, do not fret, you too can have such a thing without having to cut down your favorite tree. Here is how:
Supplies:
1 wooden disc, 1-1/2 to 2" thick, in a diameter to meet your personal needs.
1 wooden disc in the same diameter but only needs to be 1/2" to 3/4". This is just enough to close off the bottom and provide a nailing surface.
1/2 inch plywood. Amount depends on the height that you want your labyrinth and depth that you want your labyrinth.
Thin bendable wood or paintable product. This is for bending in a circular shape.
Sand or heavy substance to partially fill inside with for more weight and stability.
nails, glue, stain , sealer, measuring tools, hammer, cutting tools (saw), sandpaper (fine and rough) and half round sharp chisel.
How to:
1. You may carve your labyrinth into the thicker disc prior to assembly or after. I have provided some pictures of some in this project, but pictures of labyrinths are in many sources (books and Internet). After carving the labyrinth with the half round chisel, sand with the rough sandpaper and then the fine sandpaper.
2. Form cross supports using the 1/2" sheet of plywood. The pieces should be slightly shorter than the upper and lower discs. The shortage in length is where the outside bendable wood will meet flush with the discs and adhere to the supports. These pieces should be cut to the height that you want the labyrinth to be prior to any other cutting. These pieces form the inner frame for the piece. Cut notches in each piece so that they interlock (slide into each other). The notches should be cut in the center of each piece halfway up (Lengthwise/ bottom to middle on one / top to middle on the other) and then the pieces should slide into each other. You may want to glue the pieces at the notch for extra stability.
3. Attach the cross supports to the discs using a small amount of wood glue and nails. Be careful of nail placement in regards to the labyrinth placement. For the top a nail near the outside edges and maybe in the center. Nailing in the bottom is less of a concern. If you want the top flawless, the wood glue should hold and the side covering should assist with stability. More wood glue should be used if just gluing on the top piece.
4. Fill with sand prior to adding the bottom piece and after adding the bendable wood product.
5. Attach the bendable product around the piece gluing and nailing to the supports as you wrap it around the piece. Make sure that this piece is cut to fit the circumference and that it is flush with the outside of the op and bottom disc. It should almost look like tree bark or a ring of a tree. Straps may be needed at this point to hold it in place while the glue dries. Wood glue is fairly strong and can be used entirely to hold the piece together, but nails are that extra support.
6. When dry , stain and seal. If this is to be used outdoors or will live outdoors, it should be sealed with a product to protect from the weather. If the product that you used to bend around the discs is not appealing or tree like enough, a tool called a wood-graining tool can simulate wood. Use a stain some shade darker than the wood and paint it on and while it is wet, draw the wood-graining tool through it at varying degrees until you get the look you want.
If anything is unclear or you need additional help, please contact me at ddieterle@juno.com or ddieterle@earthlink.net
Enjoy!
Make Your Own Finger Labyrinth
