Alright, let me tell you about my joniu shrine project. It was a weekend thing, mostly because I was bored and saw a cool pic online. So, I thought, “Why not?”
First, I grabbed some scrap wood from the garage. Nothing fancy, just some old planks I had lying around. I measured out the space I wanted the shrine to take up – not too big, just enough for a little desk guardian.
Next, I started cutting the wood. I’m no carpenter, so the cuts weren’t perfect, but hey, rustic charm, right? I assembled the base first, just a simple box shape. Then, I added the back piece, making it taller than the front to give it that shrine-like look.
Then the real fun began. I found some cool, intricate patterns online that I liked. I printed them out and traced them onto the wood with carbon paper. After that, I grabbed my trusty Dremel and started carving. This part took a while, I’m talking hours! My hand was cramping up, but I was determined to get it done. I also added some small shelves inside for offerings.
After the carving, I sanded everything down to get rid of the splinters and rough edges. I decided on a dark stain to give it an aged look. I applied two coats, letting it dry in between, and then finished it with a clear coat to protect it.
Now for the decorations. I added some small brass hinges and a latch to the front, just for show. I also hung a little bell inside and added a small ceramic figure I had lying around. A few strategically placed LED lights gave it a nice ambiance, too.
Finally, I placed my new joniu shrine on my desk. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s a nice little reminder to take a break and appreciate the small things.
- Materials Used: Scrap wood, stain, clear coat, brass hinges, latch, LED lights, ceramic figure.
- Tools Used: Saw, measuring tape, Dremel, sandpaper, paintbrushes.
- Time Spent: About 8 hours over two days.
Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I’m definitely investing in a better carving tool!
