Chris Lubkemann - Tree Craft

35 rustic wood projects
that bring the outdoors in

35 rustic wood projects
that bring the outdoors in

by Chris Lubkemann

Peg Couch, Style Editor

I live in an old home and have several even older trees in the backyard. While these trees provide much enjoyment, they also provide a lot of opportunities for work. Each spring, when the mid-Atlantic ground begins to thaw and my gardeners hands have been idle for the winter, I head to the yard to clear it of the twigs, sticks, and branches that these massive trees have dropped over the winter months. As I pile them atop my wheelbarrow, I find myself admiring the rustic bounty and thinking, I really should make something with all of this wood. But what to make and how to make it are the questions that usually put an end to my creative daydreaming and pull me back to the task at hand. This book, however, provides the answers.

As I pile the twigs, sticks, and branches atop my wheelbarrow, I find myself admiring the rustic bounty and thinking, I really should make something with all of this wood.

The desire to make things by hand, and more specifically, to make things from found objects, is at the heart of the handmade craft movement. While many crafters were not thinking about sustainability ten years ago, todays crafter has become conscientiousand we want our homes to reflect that. Rather than purchase mass-produced items, we want to decorate our living spaces with handmade items that add beauty and reflect our personality. Wood is the perfect medium to do so.

Decorating with rustic wooden accents typically stirs up images of wilderness lodges and country cabins. And, while the objects in this book would certainly be right at home in those settings, weve chosen to showcase the projects in this book in a more eclectic fashion. Youll see polished silver, glass, and linen paired with items made from twigs, sticks, and branches to create a modern look that is both elegant and earthy.

The wood you find in your yard or out in nature can be transformed into beautiful and purposeful items in a variety of ways. As you will see in the following pages, a small twig can become a key chain, a branch can be sliced to make a set of chunky coasters, and a downed limb can become a hardworking coat rack. Many ideas are shared inside this book and many more ideas will most likely come to you on your own. No two pieces of wood are the same. Let the wood speak to you and see what creative ideas you can develop.

Working with found wood is not difficult but does require some basic skills, which are covered in this book. Most of the projects can be made with a simple hand saw and/or drill. If you dont know how to use these tools, I encourage you to get familiar with them. A power drill should be no more intimidating than a sewing machine. After a bit of practice with these basic tools, youll be able to create every project in this book.

Many thanks to author and craftsman Chris Lubkemann for so thoroughly answering the question of what can I make with all of this wood? Chris has been honing his woodworking and whittling skills for a lifetime and has a tremendous talent in seeing the hidden potential in each and every piece of wood. The artful choices he makes in where to cut the wood, whether or not to remove the bark, and when to round the edges take his work from simple to spectacular and will help yours do the same.

I hope these projects will inspire you to get outdoors, pick up some sticks, and make something beautiful!

Peg Couch, Style Editor

Most of the carving and whittling projects described in my previous Fox Chapel books have been on the smallish side, rarely using branches more than 1" (25mm) in diameter. Also, the majority of the work has been done with a knife...in my own case, with a two-bladed pocketknife.

Many of the projects in this book are quite different in several respects. While there is a decent amount of cutting and trimming with a knife blade, much of the shaping here is done with other tools: a saw, hammer, chisel, drill, sander, draw knife, and possibly a few more.

This book is aimed not particularly at woodcarvers, but rather at folks in general who appreciate wood, have an active imagination, are creative, and like to work with a few basic tools. Of course, Im hoping that quite a few woodcarvers, too, will find some of the ideas in this book interesting, not because there is a lot of actual carving involved in a given project, but simply because it involves a natural piece of wood that, with some creative tweaking, can be transformed into something that is unique and useful.

Have fun!

Chris Lubkemann

This book is organized into six parts. Getting Started focuses on finding the wood you need, as well as covering some of the techniques youll be using to create the projects in the following pages.

) is all about projects to fill your home with eco-chic elegance. These beauties can show up anywhere: knothole photo frames in the hallway, branch candlestick holders on the mantelpiece, a stump planter on the front porch, a twig bead necklace around your daughters neck.

) is chock-full of tree craft pieces to deck out your dining experience. Dazzle your dinner guests with natural salt and pepper shakers, coasters, napkin rings, and more. Bring a touch of the outdoors into your kitchen (in a good way!) with a unique utensil tree and wooden spoon holder.

) is packed with utilitarian projects that are so simply beautiful youll forget theyre not just art. After looking through this chapter, youll be inspired to create your own coat trees, lamps, and curtain rods. Soon your refrigerator will be bedecked with twig magnets and your living room will be graced with the presence of a natural wood coffee table.

) features several fun projects and games that youll be excited to make yourself. I dare you to check out the checker set and not want to make it! Who can resist the weathered playing surface and chunky checkers over a flimsy cardboard and plastic set? The other toys and games are just as much fun!