The Dogwood Trayplattercandleholdersliceofwoodthingy

Before Christmas, I was shopping with my friend M. at West Elm. West Elm, for those of you who haven't been, is like the Ikea for rich people. And after seeing something I loved there, and not being a person of any extraordinary wealth myself, I thought of my father's crafty abilities. What did I like so much to ask my father to make them? Simple slices of wood being used to hold candles. So often, we need fancy things, but the simplistic beauty of these slices is just right. I sent the idea to Dad, and here's what he came up with. I think they're beautiful.

This one is made out of an old Dogwood tree from our front yard. The size of this Dogwood tree is a rarity in the South East. After he made his initally cuts, Dad counted 75 rings--it's an old tree! Dad ended up using all kinds of tools on it to get the shape right, but I think it came out really well. I particularly like the little splits that come in from the sides, and the bark that made it through the milling process.

For a while now, I've been telling Dad to put something on or in his pieces for scale. When he sent me a picture of this piece for the first time, it had a pot full of shotgun shells on it. Clearly, that didn't last. We opted for a candle instead.

This piece is great for really anything you need a stand for. You could use it as a candle plate or a tray or a small platter or a woodsy addition to place a candle or plant on. Currently, it does not have any sort of finish on it, but that can be added according to your wishes. Interested in this great little piece, check it and ones like it out at The Wood Shop on etsy.com.