Idea 15: Welcome Sign / Walking Arch

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Crafty Time

By Dave Pierik, Shelton-Mason County Journal

A Welcome Walkway!

Happy Tree Village needs a safe pedestrian highway crossing, and an entry sign. Easy peasy, we can do this!

Tools: ruler, compass & markers, scissors, paintbrushes.

Materials: Cardboard boxes, masking tape, school glue, sand, paper sign designs, and acrylic paint.

1. Half of a donut

Measure and cut a 2” wide corrugated cardboard ring with 4 ½” diameter hole. Cut in half.  Cut and fold thin cardboard for the steps, these are 1 ¼” wide, with ½“ deep steps. Adjust, glue and tape in place until dry.

2. Base and flock

Measure and cut a cardboard base about 1/8” wider and longer than the feet of the bridge. Glue and clamp down with masking tape. Use an old brush to paint glue along the stair edges. Drop sand on it to flock for strength and texture. Let dry then cut the middle of the base out with scissors.

3. Prime and prep

Start with darker colors first. Mix black, gray and some white paint with a bit of sand and glue and paint everything. While it dries, think about what signs you want, what size they will be and where to place them. 

4. Drybrush and detail

Using lighter colors, dust the raised textures of the model with brown, tan and white. Cut the signs out, paint glue on the backs and glue on. Paint glue over the top, then paint nail dots, rust and aging effects with a mix of brown, copper and orange. Add dirt and grass browns and greens to the base.

5. Welcome to Happy Tree

Now motorists will know where they are, and pedestrians can safely cross the highway.

For more tips and information (including the Happy Tree clubs art above), please email dave@masoncounty.com with your feedback! We welcome your feedback.