Inexpensive rhythm bones for teaching workshops, youth groups, etc.

An inexpensive solution to providing rhythm bones for teaching. I have been playing the rhythm bones for over 30 years, and have also been conducting demonstrations and workshops for various groups such as junior and high school students, boy scouts, youth groups, etc.
To provide a free pair of rhythm bones that participants can keep, I used to obtain 10-foot lengths of scrap hardwood molding for free, take those home, and cut them to length. That solution was ok, but was time consuming. The resulting pairs of bones were also irregular and varied in quality.
I recently discovered that ordinary wooden shims work very well. and are readily available at most home improvement centers or hardware stores. Wooden shims are inexpensive, of a uniform size, and save a lot of time and preparation. Students love having a pair to keep, and can also "personalize" their set with artwork. Sanding and finishing can be done at a later time, though this is optional as they are ready-to-use right out of the package.
Presentations can vary in length to suit the amount of time available. For school students, I'll often present a short 10 or 15 minute workshop (at the end of their regular lessons). After a quick demonstration, each student gets a pair of "bones" to try out and keep. After that, videos showing the bones being played to different styles of music are useful too. There are many YouTube videos to choose from. One of my favorites is "Snowden's Jig" by the Carolina Chocolate Drops. For a homework assignment I'll suggest searching for "how to play the rhythm bones" on YouTube.
If time permits, I'll talk about the history of bones and bones playing. The bones also help to explain the difference between the words "simple" and "easy". They are a very SIMPLE instrument, but not EASY. With a bit of persistence, determination, and practice though, I believe almost anyone who has a desire to learn how to play them can do so.
I hope these suggestions help you, and that you have as much fun with your presentations and bones-playing as I do! Please leave a comment, and thanks for watching! :-)