Create these wooden Angel wings as a keepsake decor piece for Christmas (or all year long) to commemorate the loss of a loved one.
Someone I love lost someone they love in 2018. I searched and searched to try to come up with a heartfelt gift to commemorate their loss and let them know they are in my thoughts – especially during this emotional time of year.
I found a beautiful Swarovski ornament that would have been a sentimental tribute – but it was sold out, and really, might have become lost on a tree full of decorations.
I tried looking up Angel art – and while I found tons of talented artists and beautiful pieces – art really is in the eye of the beholder, and my tastes might have been forced on her.
I finally settled on making something myself and decided to go with wooden Angel wings – simple enough to be left out all year, but Seasonal enough to be considered a Christmas decor piece.
I started with 1″ x 12″ select pine and drew an outline of Angel wings. If you aren’t a stellar artist (like me), use printer paper to trace an image from online, or create one wing and then trace the second so that they match
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings.jpg?resize=600%2C690&ssl=1)
My wooden Angel wings are 12″ wide by 16″ tall (30.5cm by 40.6cm). I cut the outline on my scroll saw and then played around with creating cut outs that looked like feathers.
I cut these by first drilling a hole in the top of each feather shape and then threading my scrollsaw blade through each hole to cut the shape. Everything was sanded smooth with 220 grit sandpaper.
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-2.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
Because I wanted a rustic look for these wooden Angel wings, I applied a coat of dark walnut stain – front, back and in every hole – and let dry.
This was followed with two coats of white paint over top.
While my Angel wings were drying, I cut a 3/8″ dowel to 15″ (38cm) long, gave it a light sanding and then coated with a matte black paint.
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-3.jpg?resize=600%2C1001&ssl=1)
The stand for my Angel wings is a 4.5″ by 6.5″ (11.4cm by 16.5cm) piece of 3/4″ (2cm) wood. I attempted (very poorly) to router the edges to give it a more finished look, and sanded them smooth before applying the dark walnut stain.
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-4.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
In the centre of each base, and the centre of the wooden Angel wings, I drilled a 3/8″ hole to fit the dowel stand. Once the stain was completely dry, I painted the base in the same white as the Angel wings.
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-5.jpg?resize=800%2C447&ssl=1)
I have a bit of a dilemma with “rustic”… when I cut, build, sand and paint a project, scuffing it all up again bugs me. Seems like a waste of effort – but I sucked it up for this project because I wanted the warmth and patina that a rustic look brings. (I think) perfect Angel wings would have looked cold and sterile, where lightly worn ones look like they’ve been loved and have weathered time – totally symbolic of the person they are meant to commemorate: loved for a very long time.
I sanded off areas of my white finish with 150 grit sandpaper to let some of the dark stain peek through.
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-6.jpg?resize=800%2C468&ssl=1)
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-7.jpg?resize=600%2C1016&ssl=1)
The dowel fits snugly in the wooden Angel wings and into the base so that it is as easily displayed as it is tucked away (flat).
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-8.jpg?resize=600%2C978&ssl=1)
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-11.jpg?resize=600%2C900&ssl=1)
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-10.jpg?resize=600%2C900&ssl=1)
I wonder if, instead of cutting feather shapes, you could actually glue white feathers to the wooden Angel wings outline? Then you might be able to get away with cutting using a jigsaw instead of a scrollsaw?
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-9.jpg?resize=596%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Wooden Angel wings, DIY angel wings, wood angel wings, decorative angel wings](https://i0.wp.com/100things2do.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Angel-Wings-12.jpg?resize=600%2C900&ssl=1)
The person I made these wooden Angel wings for hasn’t received them yet – but just in case she knows whom I’m writing about – this Holiday Season will seem a little less sparkly and bright, but know that you are no less loved by everyone here and by your loved ones in heaven.
XOXO Shel.
Linked to: Between Naps on the Porch
The angel wings are beautiful in every way.
These wooden angel wrings really hold a very special and beautiful meaning. I think it was a good idea for you to make something meaningful instead of buying the ornament piece. I’m sure that the person you love will appreciate your gesture. I would.