If you want to learn more about finishing, my 10 Step Guide to Wood Finishing is a free PDF that explains how to use hand applied finishes. There is no fancy equipment to buy, and anyone can learn how to apply a great finish. I like this finish because it is natural, easy to work with, and leaves a nice satin glow to the piece. The look is more traditional, and handmade.

If you have a cookbook stand, and a cook book that you like to use, it’s better to leave it on the stand than to try and one hand it while cooking. Safety goggles& ear defenders - if you're using power tools, then wear your PPE! Also, if you're sanding lots, I recommend a dust mask to protect your lungs!Can you stain the wood before varnishing? Yes! Make sure it is fully dry first. Or, if you're using a coloured preservative, you'll need to let the oils soak in properly for 2 weeks prior to varnishing. A tip Cuprinol once told me! ➕More Handmade Gifts on a Budget

Alternatively, you could use a water-based stain to enhance the colour, and leave to dry before varnishing. Finally, finish the thumb book holder with an oil finish. This can be Tru-Oil, Danish Oil, or Tried and True. For this project, I used Tried and True Danish Oil. Have you got any advice on cutting hardwood to prevent the blade from turning? You may need to tighten the tension on your blade and that it's close to the bearings. Also, ensure the guard is as low as possible (close to the project as possible) to prevent the blade from wobbling. My article on Finishing with Tried and True Danish Oil explains the finishing process, and it is very easy to follow.Next, place your stencil on an offcut of hardwood and draw around it. Or you could draw inside the hole of your large sheet of paper. Bandsaw- this has a narrow blade to cut out curvy shapes in wood. If you don't have one, you could use a coping saw and do it by hand (much slower), or a jigsaw, providing you've clamped it well. A scroll saw is also great for the job! To prevent a tear out while drilling your thumb holes, only drill until the pointy end is poking on the other side, then do it from the reverse. Or you could clamp a sacrificial piece below. But for speed and accuracy around the curves, I used a belt sander upside down as this one is so heavy, it doesn't move about. Or you could use a bench sander.

Other Book Holder Design Ideas - mine is very simple, but you could draw a Batman logo, a love heart, or a Harry Potter Snitch. Why not have fun and get creative? Drilling a Thumb Hole A wooden thumb book holder is a fun, eco friendly project to make, and when a nice finish is applied, it looks amazing. Select a nice piece of wood and a traditional oil finish for this project and you will love the results. This project was created as part of my 12 Days of Giftmas series and includes a how-to video you can follow along. Jump to: Sheet of paper, pencil and scissors - you won't need to waste money buying a template or plans on Etsy here as we'll fold the sheet of paper and cut a quarter of a circle, then open it up to reveal our design. Simple! I also rolled up some sandpaper in the thumbnail to smooth it. But a spindle sander attachment in a drill would work too!

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Bench sander or heavy belt sander upside down - To tidy your cuts, you'll need to do a lot of sanding. If you don't have either of these, I have been known to hand-sand things while watching TV 😂 And sandpaper for the thumb hole is a good idea!