I’ve been shopping in nature’s craft store lately. I’ve already collected my share of Fall leaves and pine cones, but this time I came home with wood branches.

There is a green trail that love to jog through near my house, and one morning these two large branches that had broken off from a nearby tree were right in my path. Call my crazy, but I knew I had to bring them home and craft with them. I know I must have looked  a bit strange carrying two large wood branches out of the wooded area and up the street back to my house, but who cares right?

A good friend of mine recently got married in a small ceremony. She had a small beautiful nature-themed wedding. I knew I could do something special for here wedding gifts.

Today’s post is the beginning of what evolved into one of my favorite homemade gifts I have ever made or given. Stay tuned to see how many crafts I could make with one large tree branch.

First step, I got out the power tools! This is the part that you don’t craft with your tweens. I haven’t done much crafting with the use of power tools in the past, but it was time.

First I sliced some of the wood into thin slices, approximately 3/8″ deep. The wood branch was about 1- 1 1/2″ in diameter. After that I used our power sand to create a smoother surface on the cut slices.

I recently purchased my first wood burning tool, and I’m not sure what took me so long. I remember growing up making homemade gifts with a wood burning tool. There is something about the smell as the tip burns a design in the wood. My daughter said it smelled like a camp fire. Just remember, the whole metal part of the tool gets REALLY hot.

I burned a cute heart design into the top of one of the wood slices with the first initial of the bride and groom.

Then with the help of a couple DecoArt supplies, I turned it into a keepsake. I used DecoArt Metallic Lustre and Americana Multi-purpose sealer.

If you have never used DecoArt Metallic Lustre, it is one of the coolest things ever. It is like a metallic paste that you apply and buff to a metallic shine. Yes, I said buff.

I used a makeup sponge to apply along the outside wood edges which gave it a beautiful metallic shine. Then I sealed the top and bottom of the wood with the Multi-purpose sealer and let dry completely.

I love the way the wood charm turned out it. It begged to become a piece of jewelry.

I bought a gold plain bangle at my local Michaels in the jewelry section and with the help of some super glue, I made it so.

I love how it turned out, and most importantly, my friend loved it!

Stay tuned for more nature craftiness! After all, this was just one slice of wood. Imagine what I can do with lots of slices.  = )

Happy crafting!

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