These cool DIY wooden pins feature the almighty ampersand. You’re going to love the wood inlay effect – and you can customize any way you like!
![These cool DIY pins feature the almighty ampersand. You're going to love the wood inlay effect - and you can customize any way you like!](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/wood-veneer-inlay-pins.jpg.webp)
I love ampersands – I just think they’re the most gorgeous letter-form known to man. I recently discover wood veneer and I thought it would be a great idea to create these Wood Inlay Ampersand DIY pins – and they were really easy to create, too! Come and check out how I did it!
DIY Wood Pins
Supplies:
- Wood craft circle
- Wood veneer sheet (in Cherry)
- Silhouette Cameo / Other die-cutter / Paper punches
- Mod Podge Matte
- Mod Podge Hard Coat
- Watercolor (I used Burnt Umber)
- Paintbrush
- Sponge dauber
- Sandpaper
- Hot glue gun
- Pin Backs
Your first step is to find artwork in an ampersand shape! You can search for clip art if you don’t have a cutting machine. If you do have a cutting machine, check the design store (Silhouette has ampersands here).
![sand wood veneer](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sand-wood-veneer.jpg.webp)
Step 1. Sand down your circle for it to be clean and free of splinters – most craft store wood circles that come in big packs aren’t sanded down and smooth.
![cut wood veneer circle](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cut-wood-veneer-circle.jpg.webp)
Step 2. Measure your circle. With your die cutter, cut a circle from the wood veneer the size of your wood circle, with the ampersand image (or any letter) you want to use. No die cutter? No problem – you can also use a wood circle punch and a shape punch of your choice.
![apply wood veneer to wood circle](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/apply-wood-veneer-to-wood-circle.jpg.webp)
Step 3. Adhere the punched circle veneer onto the craft store wood circle – most wood veneer sheets have an adhesive backing, but if yours doesn’t, a light coat of Mod Podge before application will do the trick.
![sand edges of wood circle](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sand-edges-of-wood-circle.jpg.webp)
Step 4. Sand the edges of the veneered circle to ‘blend’ the veneer onto the wood to make it look seamless.
![paint wood pin side](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/paint-wood-pin-side-.jpg.webp)
Step 5. Use watered down watercolor paint to paint the edges and the backside of your circle – this is to make it look like one whole piece even further.
![apply mod podge on pin](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/apply-mod-podge-on-pin.jpg.webp)
Step 6. Use Mod Podge to fully coat the pieces and make them sturdy for daily use. I did at least two coats of Matte Mod Podge, and one coat of hard coat Mod Podge.
![glue pin back onto back of circle](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/glue-pin-back-onto-back-of-circle-.jpg.webp)
Step 7. Finally, attach your pin backs using hot glue – I find that stronger glue isn’t needed for wood pieces and that hot glue is sufficient, but you can always use E-6000 glue or something similar.
![These cool DIY pins feature the almighty ampersand. You're going to love the wood inlay effect - and you can customize any way you like!](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ampersand-wood-inlay-pins.jpg.webp)
![These cool DIY pins feature the almighty ampersand. You're going to love the wood inlay effect - and you can customize any way you like!](https://modpodgerocksblog.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ampersand-inlay-pins.jpg.webp)
And you are done! The awesome thing about these DIY pins is that you can do not only ampersands but words as well – customize it and create your own!
I would love it if you follow me or check out my blog for more tutorials and ideas like this 🙂 I’d also love it if you’d check out the ideas below:
Marie Anderson
Thursday 6th of October 2016
Ampersands are pure design. It’s great that you’ve found such a creative way to pay homage to it! It’s really cool to come here and always find new inspiring stuff! Thanks a lot.:)