Practical Wooden Pooches
These are whimsical, funky caricatures of our best friends. But each wooden canine has a
practical side as well!
The door stops really will hold your door open. The back fits under most all doors, so the weight
of the stop &/or the tilt if the door pushes against it, keeps a door stopped.
The planters will show off an orchid or other 4” to 6” potted plant. Some people have made
them into unique centerpieces for their tables. They say they’ve used real and silk plants and
other material and fabrics to make some elaborate pieces. (Personally haven’t done that. I think
it’s more of a woman’s thing.) I’ve donated some pieces to animal shelters’ non-profit support
groups, and they’ve had great success with the center pieces – filled with other goodies - in
their silent auctions.
And of course what office (including home offices!) wouldn’t be cheerier with a doggy business
card holder! They’re sure to bring a smile to your clients, while letting all know you are a dog
lover (the very best kind of people.)
My candle holders are really for tea candles, not votive. For safety’s sake, I strongly urge you
to get the electric tea's, not the wax ones. They are cute, flicker like real candles and can’t burn
down your house! Most craft stores have them.
My doggy banks have openings large enough for the new ‘silver’ dollars (yea the kind without
any silver in them) to help you save coins for that rainy day. And since they are pretty
unbreakable, they have a large opening in the bottom, fitted with a cork plug. Great way to
stash your coins when you come home.
And just think, none of these little darlings will ever need a trip to the vet, bark at your
neighbors nor poop on your new carpet. Your new companion will give you years of devoted
service. And they are very well, if selectively, trained – perfect at “stay” while not so great at
“fetch”.
These are all hand made by me, so no two are ever exactly alike. (No, I didn’t do one and then
have them massed produced by Chinese prison labor!) I make these wooden, layered animals
in the folk art tradition rather than detailed carvings of the dogs. The designs – some I’ve
purchased and usually modified, some I’ve developed – are traced onto the wood, usually
poplar. I cut with a scroll or band saw depending on their thickness. After sanding and
smoothing they’re assembled with glue and brads. I then prime them and paint them with
acrylics. I initial each, then finish with layers of satin Polyshield, a nontoxic, water based, non
yellowing coating.
SIZES
The doorstops are from 12” to 17” high and range from 8” to 10” deep (including the ‘foot’ that
fits under the door).
The planters are the same heights and about 3” to 5” deeper. They’ll accommodate most 6”
planters. (Perfect for orchids!) Or put in a bouquet and walla! a doggy centerpiece.
The doggy banks are about 12” by 12”. They have a slot on top big enough for any coin and a
hole – plugged with a removable cork stopper – in the bottom of their bellies.
The tea candle holders are about 9” by 9”.
The business card holders are about 5” high and 3” to 4’ deep.
I’ve entered some of my animals in our Orange County Fair, with good results. I’ve won first,
second, third place and honorable mention ribbons over the last couple years. Which ribbon
must depend on who’s judging that year, as my work is pretty much the same each time.
These are whimsical, funky caricatures of our best friends. But each wooden canine has a
practical side as well!
The door stops really will hold your door open. The back fits under most all doors, so the weight
of the stop &/or the tilt if the door pushes against it, keeps a door stopped.
The planters will show off an orchid or other 4” to 6” potted plant. Some people have made
them into unique centerpieces for their tables. They say they’ve used real and silk plants and
other material and fabrics to make some elaborate pieces. (Personally haven’t done that. I think
it’s more of a woman’s thing.) I’ve donated some pieces to animal shelters’ non-profit support
groups, and they’ve had great success with the center pieces – filled with other goodies - in
their silent auctions.
And of course what office (including home offices!) wouldn’t be cheerier with a doggy business
card holder! They’re sure to bring a smile to your clients, while letting all know you are a dog
lover (the very best kind of people.)
My candle holders are really for tea candles, not votive. For safety’s sake, I strongly urge you
to get the electric tea's, not the wax ones. They are cute, flicker like real candles and can’t burn
down your house! Most craft stores have them.
My doggy banks have openings large enough for the new ‘silver’ dollars (yea the kind without
any silver in them) to help you save coins for that rainy day. And since they are pretty
unbreakable, they have a large opening in the bottom, fitted with a cork plug. Great way to
stash your coins when you come home.
And just think, none of these little darlings will ever need a trip to the vet, bark at your
neighbors nor poop on your new carpet. Your new companion will give you years of devoted
service. And they are very well, if selectively, trained – perfect at “stay” while not so great at
“fetch”.
These are all hand made by me, so no two are ever exactly alike. (No, I didn’t do one and then
have them massed produced by Chinese prison labor!) I make these wooden, layered animals
in the folk art tradition rather than detailed carvings of the dogs. The designs – some I’ve
purchased and usually modified, some I’ve developed – are traced onto the wood, usually
poplar. I cut with a scroll or band saw depending on their thickness. After sanding and
smoothing they’re assembled with glue and brads. I then prime them and paint them with
acrylics. I initial each, then finish with layers of satin Polyshield, a nontoxic, water based, non
yellowing coating.
SIZES
The doorstops are from 12” to 17” high and range from 8” to 10” deep (including the ‘foot’ that
fits under the door).
The planters are the same heights and about 3” to 5” deeper. They’ll accommodate most 6”
planters. (Perfect for orchids!) Or put in a bouquet and walla! a doggy centerpiece.
The doggy banks are about 12” by 12”. They have a slot on top big enough for any coin and a
hole – plugged with a removable cork stopper – in the bottom of their bellies.
The tea candle holders are about 9” by 9”.
The business card holders are about 5” high and 3” to 4’ deep.
I’ve entered some of my animals in our Orange County Fair, with good results. I’ve won first,
second, third place and honorable mention ribbons over the last couple years. Which ribbon
must depend on who’s judging that year, as my work is pretty much the same each time.
