DIY Geometrical Blocks

Geometrical blocks are wood shapes that have been painted or stained in various colors and patterns.  The blocks can be used for decoration– you can switch the pieces around at any time to create new shapes and patterns.  You can also use the blocks for creative “play”—adults and kids alike enjoy interacting and building with these blocks.  Add a set to a shelf, a coffee table, a windowsill or your desk and watch how the pieces evolve into different purposes — from art and decor to a conversation piece, a toy, or a puzzle. In this tutorial I show you how simple it is to create a set of  triangles.  However, you can purchase geometrical shapes of any kind to include in your set.  This is what a varied set can look like:

For the set above, I purchased a bag of mixed wood shapes from a craft shop. You can also buy individual blocks from most craft stores. Next, I chose a few colors that I thought contrasted well (red, light blue, black, natural and white) and painted each side of the shapes a different color.  I added occasional circles and squares of my own to the blocks.  The set was simple enough to make but tedious–it took a long  time to complete the larger set because each side of each block had to dry before I could paint another side.  For this tutorial, therefore, I simplified things by downsizing from the larger variety set to a smaller set of triangles:

To make your own Geometrical Blocks you will need:

• 5-6 wood triangle blocks (sometimes sold as “unfinished shelf brackets”)
• 5-6 contrasting colors of paint
• paintbrushes
• wax paper or newspaper
• light sandpaper
• a damp rag or sponge

  

Directions:

1. Sand each triangle (on all sides) and then wipe clean.  Make sure the triangles are dry before moving on to the next step.
2. Paint each triangle a different color.  Leave one side of each triangle unpainted (for now) so that you can set them down to dry.
3. Place the triangles onto wax paper or newspaper to dry.
4. When the triangles are dry, go back and paint the unpainted sides of each one.
5. Allow the triangles to dry throughly.

Now find a place to display your geometrical blocks! You can always add on to your set and/or add some creativity of your own to the project!