Introduction: Snowman Made From Cotton Balls and Glue

About: Come spend some time in the shop. I'm a hobbyist woodworker and professional computer geek in Northern California. I guess my projects will vary widely, and I have no clue what I plan to make next...

The ornament almost has a stone quality to it with the ribbons of cotton running through the ornament. It was a pretty easy project and certainly one worth trying!
I started by filling a small water bottle full of cotton balls. Then I mixed up about 10oz of epoxy and poured it in. At this point I had no idea what it was going to look like, or if it was going to turn out at all.

I gave the epoxy a day to cure before attempting any work. Then it was off to the lathe. Since the bottle had been misshapen from the heat of the glue curing, I had to square up the bottom on the band saw.

Then it was off to the lathe. I drilled a 3/8 hole and mounted it on my bottle stopper mandrel! Brought up the tailstock and roughed a shape in. The epoxy turns well, and it is pretty easy to work.

After that I switched to a 60* cone center and that gave me access to the top of his head. and the nice starter hole for my eye hook. After a little more refinement I wet sanded to 400 grit and called it done!

I think it's one of my favorite pieces. It has a stone look too it and an elegance I was not expecting from glue and cotton balls! Thanks for looking!