Earlier this year, Damien from Little Warrior Shields presented me with a challenge to recreate his remarkable shield. It was an immensely fun to be able to craft a cardboard version of his Viking shield, especially since I have known Damien for quite some time and hold tremendous respect and admiration for his endeavours. Little Warrior Shields is a cause spearheaded by Damien, where he generously creates and distributes incredible shields and helmets to sick kids in hospitals. Over the years, Damien has bestowed hundreds of these shields and helmets upon deserving children, granting them a sense of added protection in the midst of their battles.
Damien's challenge to build a version of his shield was really enjoyable, and thoroughly enjoyed the process of making something special like this cardboard shield. I have made a FREE template for my version of the shield, to raise more awareness of the Little Warrior Shield cause and hope that people go support Damien's cause.
Below are some images of just some of the items Damien makes for the kids. If you thought the helmets Damien makes looked familiar, it's because I was lucky enough for him to have choose my templates to use for the design. However I think you can agree that he has taken my simple template to the next level with his craftsmanship.
If you wanted to make my cardboard version of the shield I have put together a little step by step on how it was done, along with a FREE template for the decorative pieces that I used.
The Shield measure 40cm in diameter which is the perfect size for children.
What I used (with Amazon Links):
- Single walled cardboard (3-4mm)
- Single faced cardboard https://amzn.to/3zc6yGj
- Single walled cardboard (2mm) a lighter tone to the single faced cardboard.
- Craft Blade https://amzn.to/3X4Zsvb
- 4mm Eyelet Plier https://amzn.to/47a4fQK
- PVA or school glue https://amzn.to/3Xu7yiH
- Hot glue and glue gun https://amzn.to/3MlT9i9
- Large compass (I used a Stanley beam compass)
- Strapping/Twill or ribbon https://amzn.to/3Tb85DA
- FREE template (as below)
Here are the step I took to put the cardboard viking shield together:
Step One:
Using a compass I outlined and cut out three circles with a diameter of 40cm diameter (two from cardboard 3-4mm thick and one from a thinner cardboard)
Step Two:
I took the thinner cardboard circle the and cut out a rim of about 1.5 cm.
Step Three:
To add handles I cut four slots into one of the circle (two pairs of parallel slots big enough for two handle to fit a child's arm). I then thread the two straps through the slops to create two handles.
Step Four:
Glue with PVA glue the other cardboard circles over the the back of the first circle (that has the handle) hiding the inner tabs of the handles.
Step Five:
Using the single face cardboard, I cut strips to cover the outside of the shield (mine where about 6-7cm wide). I used single face cardboard because it adds a wood like grain and contrast in tone.
Step Six:
Glued the cardboard strips with the fluting facing downwards (I used PVA) on the the front of the shield. Then trimmed the excess cardboard strips off from around the shield.
Step Seven:
Using the FREE template I made I cut the decorative pieces out of cardboard and marked the little decorative circles out using a pencil ( I use a thinner 2mm thick cardboard, which was used to cut out the rim)
Step Eight:
Using an 4mm Eyelet Pliers, I punched out the decorative the circles that had been marked out on your pieces. This gave it a look like it was rivets punched into metal. I also used the same technique with the outer rim circle spacing the punch marks out evenly.
Step Nine:
Glued the shields stud together with hot glue. (This is very similar to gluing a basic viking helmet together.) Then glued your stud to the riveted round disc using hot glue.
Step Ten:
I lastly glued everything in place with hot glue onto the shield.
I hope this helps anyone wanting to make the cardboard viking shield that I made for The Little Warrior Shields cause. Remember to and show your support and help lift the spirits of hundreds maybe even thousands of sick kids doing it tough.
By Zygote Brown Designs
