Made My Own Willow Rings!

[TalulaRoo]

I am very excited! I had to show off... I never really put it together that the willow trees in my backyard could be used for my rabbits and future chin (duh!). So I went out today and got a bunch of twigs and made my own willow rings and a little willow "bunch".

I made three ring sizes: Small, Medium, & Large (quarter in the photos for comparison).
Then there's the little "Willow Bunch".
I also have a bunch of thicker twigs as well.

They've been bunny tested and approved! :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see if my future chin also enjoys them as well!

I am proud of myself. I plan to make more!

 

[Mikayla]

They look great!

 

[Paws4Chins]

Wow those a great and you did an awesome job. What was your method for doing the wreaths? I have tried and my wreaths don't look anything like yours.

 

[Christina Noraas]

Very nice! I'm waiting on some friends to give me their trimmings of their pink pussy willow, so I'm going to try making wreaths as well since willow is Rex's absolute favorite.

 

[SamiJami]

How do you do it? I've got grapevine that I can't get to wrap around at all nicely. What's your magic trick?!

 

[TalulaRoo]

Thanks so much!
Having twigs that are not dried out helps a ton! Otherwise they just snap. I'm making the wreaths/rings before putting them in my dehydrator.

I'll make a video on how I do it tonight.

Thought about making these and selling these. Along with some other wooden toys. Would anyone be interested? I got some ideas... hehe

 

[2manypets]

I would buy some if you start selling them.

 

[cuddlycuddles]

Looks great!
How do you clean them (they seem a bit rough to scrub and bake)?

 

[Paws4Chins]

Thanks for the advice and I look forward to seeing the video. I did not know you could use a dehydrator to process the wood. Makes sense however. I have one...what is the time you put them in the dehydrator for and do you have a round one with trays or the square one? I also would by the products from you.

 

[TalulaRoo]

I never used the oven before to dry out my wood, However, all I have is apple and willow and rabbits can munch on that stuff straight off the tree (so I never worried about baking). If I sold any of these though I probably would bake them just to be sure! :]

I haven't cleaned them, like scrubbed them if that's what you meant. It's hard to do on the small twigs. Of course, if I noticed any ickiness on the twigs I just tossed them.

For the dehydrator, a couple days at most depending on how thick the branches are. Twigs I could do over night more then likely. I have the round one.

For my rabbits I use the dehydrator as well to make treats! Dried out carrots, apples, strawberries, bananas, even tomatoes. So much cheaper then buying treats and usually healthier then those store bought ones too!

 

[TalulaRoo]

Well I was making a video but turns out my hands weren't really in view for most of it. :duh: So I'll get more twigs tomorrow and make a new one.

As for washing/scrubbing... I looked at the "how to safely prepare wood" and I think for twigs I'd have to see about boiling.

Our trees have never been sprayed with anything either.

 

[Cookie]

wow those look great! Can't wait for the video
If you start selling these I would also be interested

 

[TalulaRoo]

Hey everyone. I promise I didn't forget about you! The last couple days have been busier and once again I failed with the video recording. I don't know if the camera is out to get me or what! LOL! I tried recording and accidently didn't push the button down hard enough so I got nothing! :banghead:

I promise I will make a video though! :thumbsup:

Oh and I had a bunch of willow in my dehydrator in the basement and it was right next to the heat vent. The whole house smell like willow!