The logs I took from the trees that fell on our shed a couple years ago are finally dry enough to use, so I’ve begun by making a small table. I made the legs on the lathe and just took a good slice for the top.

The holes for the leg screws, I filled with a paste I made from wood glue and sawdust. I filled in a few cracks with the mixture as well.

Next I made a stain from water and powdered walnut hulls. It was my first time doing so and I think I got the ratio off by a bit. Perhaps I should have let it set longer, used more water, or perhaps strained it! (Oh! Maybe heated it?) I just made it up as I went along.

Afterwards it was very dark and lovely, but I knew that wouldn’t last.

I like that it’s darker than before, but need to modify my recipe to make it even darker. But it makes a great stand. I use it to photograph some of my pens nowadays since I’ve had to move the parlour palm.