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Creative Wood Slice Projects

Slices of branches or tree trunks are all the rage! It’s no wonder why; there are so many uses for these rustic yet beautiful cross-sections of wood. I can’t think of a better way to bring the outdoors in than with a unique wood slice project. I created this roundup of tutorials from Garden Therapy and inspiring ideas from Etsy with tips to make something creative with wood slices for your home or as a gift (plus some tips on how to cut and finish the wood).8 Creative Wood Slice Projects.

How to Cut Branches into Slices

For thin branches, use a hand saw to cut them into slices. If you want to make a large number of slices quickly, you can use a miter saw for branches with a diameter of up to four inches. Very thick branches (such as those used to make the cake stands later in this post) must be cut using a chainsaw. Be sure that you read, understand, and follow all of the safety guidelines for whichever cutting tool you are using. Try to make cuts as smooth as possible to make sanding easier.

Sanding and Finishing Wood Slices

Before decorating your wood slices, sand them down until they feel smooth. This will make it easier to add varnish, paint, or whatever else you like to give the slices some personality. You can decorate them with a wood burning pen, paint, chalk paint, stain, or protective varnish. It’s up to you whether you want to remove the bark or leave the edge raw for a more natural look. We love the look of the bark and usually choose to keep it.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do with wood slices:

Coasters

A few years ago I made some natural branch coasters that I still get asked about weekly. Mostly people want to buy a set of mine, but they are so easy to make that I encourage them to follow the tutorial and get in a little craft therapy.

branch coasters

Wood slice coasters also look great with designs etched into them with a wood burning pen, which you can learn how to do here.

pyrography

Thumbtacks

Very small wood slices make cute thumbtacks. Simply use a sturdy adhesive to stick them to flat-head thumbtacks.

Earrings

Using the same basic technique as the thumbtacks, you can also make earrings by attaching small wood slices to earring backs. You could also make wood slice pendants, rings, or cuff links.

Buttons

Another great use for small wood slices is to make them into rustic buttons. Drill four small holes into each one and sew them to your favorite sweater or anything else that uses buttons and needs a little jazzing up.

Bug Hotel Wall Art

Use wood slices in varying sizes to make this wall art. It will spruce up drab outdoor areas like fences and porches, plus it provides a place for beneficial bugs to take shelter.

Liven up a fence with bug hotel art

Cake Stand

A large wood slice is perfect for presenting a beautiful cake for an event. It looks natural and rustic, yet fresh and modern, and its simple look is pretty without distracting from the beauty of the cake. This would also look great as a cheese board or charcuterie plate.

Name Card or Table Number Holders

If you are hosting a large event like a wedding, you could use thick wood slices with slits in the center to hold name cards or table numbers. Pair them with neutral colors and natural elements like reindeer moss.

 

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Decorate wood slices with a wood-burning pen or paint and hang them on the tree. Bonus points if you use last year’s Christmas tree to make the wood slices that become ornaments for the following year! You can find this project in my book, Garden Made.

wood slice Christmas ornaments

 

Want more? Here are some other crafty projects you can make with your Christmas tree.

Comments

  1. How do you keep the bark from falling off?
    I’m running into that problem with my wood burned ornaments.

    Reply
    • Hi Melissa, the bark comes off of some types of wood. I have used cedar and pine with no issues. What wood are you using?

      Reply
    • I make wood slice ornaments and the best way I have found to keep the bark intacked is to use Mod Podge as your finishing clear coat and apply it to the back and bark also. If you don’t apply it to the back as well the slice could dry and shrink a tiny bit more than the sealed side and cause the bark to chip off.

      Reply

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