Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web, including handy tips to help you get stuck into your next woodworking project.
Wood Shaving Uses
Wood shavings, usually considered a by-product to be swept up at the end of a woodworking session, can hold a surprising charm and use, especially during the Christmas season. Their delicate curls and natural texture can make them perfect for rustic holiday decorations. Holiday ornaments can be decorated by shaping the shavings into spirals, or crafting a wreath by gluing them into a beautiful circular frame, adorned with pine cones and berries for a festive touch. They can even add a unique flair to gift wrapping, serving as eco-friendly fillers or rustic bows atop presents.
Beyond their decorative use, wood shavings have practical value. They make excellent firelighters that can be ignited for a cosy Christmas fire on a snowy evening. For gardeners, shavings can serve as mulch that can protect plants from winter frost, while slowly enriching the soil as they decompose. Wood shavings are also useful for bedding if you have pets.
When used as bedding, they provide a soft, warm layer for small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs, though care should be taken to avoid aromatic woods like cedar. For the creative at heart, wood shavings can be dyed and sprinkled over holiday displays to mimic snow, or shaped into miniature details for Christmas village scenes.
Videos of the Week
Woodworkers Institute Articles of the Week
Next Week
Louise Biggs meticulously crafts a bespoke, decorative bookcase featuring intricate 17th-century-inspired carvings, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern woodworking techniques for a timeless design.
Gift Ideas
Stuck for what to buy a woodworker this Christmas?
We’ve done the hard work for you by compiling a list of our favourite woodworking books, covering a wide range of topics including woodturning, whittling, bowl making, Japanese joinery and green woodcarving.
PLUS: 20% off all woodworking books this festive season!
Books open up a world of creativity and crafting, so give a gift that keeps on giving this Christmas.