Back to the Hat Stand......

Just a quick look at the finished 'Hat Stand', what do you think? It works well for me as I have many hats but it doesn't stand independently in this orientation. I'm sure I could create a base for it but any ideas are very welcome!

Driftwood Plank

Now this is my absolute favourite piece! This incredibly beautiful plank was recovered from the sea, covered in barnacles and sea slime! It took months to dry out completely. I set to work initially using flap wheels to clear off the barnacles and seasalt, then seeing the beautiful scars that its life in the big blue had left, I gently used a tiny grinder to smooth and enhance each mark. After many, many hours of work I finished it off with several coats of wax.....and what an amazing work of art it is!

Close up of some of the amazing markings

The drift plank is about 5ft5 in length

Both sides of The Drift Plank have been loved and finished to a high standard and I have tried to just enhance the natural beauty of this piece. I love it! And I hope you do too!

Hat stand.....maybe?

So, I procured quite a bit of wood from a neighbour after they removed an old cherry type tree. Beautiful dark markings wind their way around the very pale and, as I discovered during the initial sanding, very soft wood! The knots, shape and versatility of this piece are what drew me to it.

Sanding then grinding had to be done so gently as the wood was incredibly soft, but hours later it's ready for varnishing...a lot of coats!

I'm currently using it as a hat stand but that may change! It can stand independently (pic to follow) so I have a few other ideas for it!  Any ideas for the future of this piece will be welcome!

Welcome!

I love wood! The individual natural beauty that each piece I find fills me with joy! Beautifying and creating tactile pieces of art has been a hobby of mine and this is what I would like o share with you on this blog.

Cuckmere Haven

Something I'm learning is choosing the right wood. The piece pictured above would have been great if only I'd been able to fit it in my car! Living near the sea, driftwood is one of my favourites; the colours and graining of well worn planks are incredible to work with. Lavender root balls are also fab with their knots and twists!
Friends and family think I'm a little obsessed......admittedly, whilst writing this my attention is drawn to this scene outside my window....

 .....a huge Leylandi being trimmed! Unfortunately, it has proved rather difficult obtaining cuts from private tree surgery companies, I believe they sell their wood on. Still, half the enjoyment of beautifying wood is the search for the perfect piece!

Please feel free to comment, send your pics of beautiful wood (living or created!) and if you wish to purchase any creations you see please get in touch.

Joyful creating wood lovers!
Tanya xx