Toy Dog

I've just finished this toy dog for my children. I won't share how long it took from start to finish since it is kind of embarrassing (lived in another house when I started it). Nevertheless, I'm pleased with how it turned out. The design comes from a vintage Playskool toy from the 50s or 60s. I used native Oklahoma cedar given to me by a friend so the project cost virtually nothing. . . about $1 for the metal studs for the ears and $1 for dollar store jump rope to use as the pull. All the pieces were turned on my lathe; afterwards I was able to make the ears and head by splitting off the rounded edges of my turning, planing those edges flat, and then using a coping saw to cut out their shapes. I had originally intended to mimic the color scheme of the original, but after I had made all the pieces, I decided the cedar looked so nice that I would just use a natural finish of sanding sealer & paste wax. As soon as I brought it in last night from the shed, I took pictures of it: the pictures reflect what it looks like before Isaiah gets his hands on it!

The Original Playskool Toy