faux taxidermy decor
Couple of years ago I made a small wooden moose. It broke right away, and his head cracked along the neck. I tossed the remnants, but not his tiny head.

Now this head is a proud decor for playroom, or

Faux Taxidermy Tiny Oaken Moose Head

moose head wooden shape



You’ll need:

  • some wood (2-cm thick, it’s 3/4 inch, for a 2×4 inch head) – I used oak, because I love it, but it’s hard to work with. You can go with any wood you like. Reclaimed wood will go great for this project. Mind the proportions.
  • a pattern
  • a jigsaw or a bandsaw
  • a drill
  • a head plate of desired shape
  • screws
  • a hook or a loop
  • your pencil
Step 1
Make your pattern. I outlined my old moose head and transferred it to the cardboard, to make it more sturdy. Remember to make cutouts for head and antlers to intercept. 

I like imperfections, so I left pattern rough and uneven (yes, that’s why))). Still, you can take it (adjust it to desired size) or make your own. Just be sure to google moose pictures. You’ll be surprised with a neck. 
I found great tutorial on making animal patterns here: Make-a-wooden-toy
Step 2
Transfer the shape to your material.

how to cut out wooden toy
To make it a bit easier, use this crafthack:
how to cut curved lines wood

Step 3
God, I wish I knew this tip on cutting curves, when I was starting this project! Well, some wood was burnt, but – live and learn. My personal best tip is – make sure your blade is sharp. See the burnt scalloped edge?

how to use jigsaw

So. Get a sharp blade, drill holes where you need them, make all technical cuts you need, and carefully cut out your shapes.

antlers faux taxidermy wooden

Step 4 (no pic)
Sand the edges and curves nicely. That’s when you get to fix burnt edges. Wood is rather kind material, cause lots of mistakes can be fixed in one way or another. 
Step 5
Assemble head and antlers. I secured them on workbench with clamps (I have a really useful cutout for such purposes), drilled a hole right through the middle of the antlers deep into head and screwed them together. If you’re not planning any hard usage, you can use glue.

workbench tricks

workbench assemble wooden toy

Step 6
Get your head plate. Here you can go creative. Pick an oval or a classic shield shape, cover it with fabric, or paint, or decoupage it, – do whatever answers your taste and what you feel right. I chose hexagonal white plates, and decorated them with a marker.

mounting board taxidermy project

After applying design, put moose head on a plate and make your marks for drilling. I made them on back side, to drill through the plate, and right into wooden head.

moose head pattern
Step 7 
Secure head on it’s place with some painter’s tape. Then make a simple device: take a reel of tape you just used, and stuff it loosely with some thick aluminum foil.

DIY decor faux moose head

Put your craft on it, head into hole. Push firmly. It’ll get stuck in foil and won’t wiggle while you’re powerdrilling.

useful advice on diy projects
Drill the holes and attach moose head to headplate with screws. 
how to screw your project together

Step 8
Attach a loop. 
Final step
Your fauxidermy decor for playroom is ready! Hang it where you like it! Ahhhhh, satisfaction.

Deer head small DIY project decor playroom kids children nursery
black and white wooden simple stylish decor easy simple to make

Close
Cart (0)

No products in the cart. No products in the cart.