they will actually be 1/8"
x 1/4". Does anyone have a safe way to make these?.

Sounds like some good suggestions so far, but you might not even have
to make them - Lee Valley has a selection of strips that might work
"as is".
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...at=1,250,43217
They don't list widths, but the 1/8" thick strips might be perfect, or
you could somehow trim down the 1/4" strips.
Hope this helps,
Andy