Shape Shifting Toy Robots

When the sisters team discovered Transformer comics (Go WindBlade!) they wanted a whole city of Transformers to play with. While that was way too expensive, they could build their own shape-shifting toy robots out of wood.

Supplies for a hand crafted DIY robot that transforms
Getting Started

Borrowing from wooden dolls, we settled on a design with rubber bands attaching the arms and head to the body and a bolt to attached the legs enabling the robot to shift forms.

Making DIY wooden transfromjng robots
Drilling to holes

First we cut and drilled all the wood based on a working design.

Assembling a hand crafted DIY robot that transforms
Assembling Begins!

We used lego wheels for the robots that transformed into cars.

Fitting rubberband a hand crafted DIY robot that transforms
Fitting the rubber bands

Attaching the rubber bands proved difficult.  We used a jewelry tool to thread the rubber bands through the holes in the wood (many broke in the process).

Assembling a hand crafted DIY robot that transforms
Final Touches

A few more adjustments, including sanding the edges, and widening holes.

A hand crafted DIY robot that transforms
The robot is complete!

By using springs in the legs, the toy robot can hold a standing position.

DIY wooden transfroming robots
The assembly line

After we perfect a design, it was just a matter of creating a assembly line to crank out droids! We did some that turned into cars, some that turned into bugs, and some that turned in to other forms!

DIY Wooden Transfroming Robots.
Transformed

The robots in alt form.

DIY Wooden Transfroming Robots.
Robot form

The robots transformed!

Happy Creating!

Wooden Monster: Allie

The HipMonsters team does not like trees going to waste, so whenever we stumble upon a piece of wood too rotten or misshapen to be used for our projects, we create a wooden monster!

 steampunk, monster, woodcraft
Allie!

Born from a dead branch of a juniper bush, this monster is built to protect a child’s room. It is very possessive and will only allow one monster in the room at a time. Perfect for making sure human children have a restful nighttime sleep.

Wooden Monster, kid-made, front view
Allie from the front.

We made Allie’s eyes out of two styrofoam balls.

Wooden monster kid-made- rearview
Allie from the rear.

Allie was one of our first monsters and is at the front of our house very Halloween!

Happy Creating!

Staff – Twisting Wave

When we go hiking, we sometimes pick up some good pieces of wood to make into staffs or other creations. We found this one in a park close to our house, it was made from a fallen eucalyptus branch. Every staff we craft has a unique mythos and special spell. This staff is called the Twisted Wave.

wooden diy staff, woodcrafting

 

Mythos

The staff Twisted Wave craves unexpected journey and visitors. Travelers should only journey with Twisting Wave if they want to encounter potential friends, it is a peaceful staff, and does not like engaging in battle.

Special Spell

Amicitia (Friendship)

 

 

 


wooden diy staff, woodcrafting on a blanketwooden diy staff, woodcrafting,on the floor

Twisting Wave is 5 feet high, perfect for navigating tricky terrain. The wood was spoke shaven, soaked in oil with a red clay then polished with bee’s wax. 

Happy Travels!

 

Wand: Crimson Lava

Every wand we craft has unique mythos and a special spell. This wand is called the Crimson Lava.

Handcrafted DIY Wooden Wand on a crystal

Mythos

The wand Crimson Lava pulls in the magic of volcanos so needs an especially strong witch or wizard to wield its power.  It is said to have been crafted on the Big Island of Hawaii during a large eruption.

Special Spell

Accive Sassa Liquefacta (Summon Lava)

It is 13 1/2 inches long. Made of poplar grown in the Hip Monster’s realm. The wood was spoke shaven straight, soaked in oil with a red clay then polished with bee’s wax. 

Happy Casting!

Handcrafted DIY Wooden Wand with a crystal

Handcrafted DIY Wooden Wand