Driftwood is a beauty of nature that is eventually brought to shore by the waves after months or even years of floating in the sea. Because of the years of washing and scrubbing by the waves, it takes on a natural and uniquely beautiful pattern, resulting in a stronger sense of flow and vitality. This one reason makes it a favorite raw material for many carving enthusiasts. What carvers crave most is inspiration and creativity in carving, and driftwood is the product of nature’s carving, so it is extremely favored. Its natural weathering and wear and tear brought about by the simple and elegant feeling is part of the people love, so driftwood as home decoration is also more and more loved by the people. Next, we will explain in detail what types of driftwood and how driftwood is formed, as well as driftwood used in carving to bring people the benefits and surprises.
How driftwood is formed
Driftwood forms over a long period of time, ranging from a few months to a few years, which is why driftwood is so valuable. The reasons for its formation are complex and include the type of wood, the local climate, the location of the fall, and so on. When a tree falls into a river or the sea it slowly begins the process of becoming driftwood. If it falls into a gentle river, it is likely to take longer to become driftwood. This is because the slower the current, the slower the wood erodes. If the wood that falls into the ocean is subjected to daily erosion by the tides, the time it takes to turn into driftwood may be shorter. Therefore, the formation of driftwood depends on many natural factors, which cannot be interfered by man. In addition. The appearance of driftwood also varies depending on the degree of erosion. Freshwater driftwood tends to be much smoother than saltwater driftwood.
Driftwood has an important role to play in the ecosystem, as it can be a nesting place for many small bug-like creatures and a resting place for birds of prey to land. Therefore, we need to be careful not to obtain driftwood in its natural habitat, and if we want to obtain driftwood, we can do so through legal channels. No matter what kind of driftwood, it is unique and can be carved into art or made into furniture to add color to people’s lives.
Types of driftwood
Driftwood can simply be categorized into freshwater driftwood and saltwater driftwood. Freshwater driftwood is driftwood that falls into lakes, rivers, and other freshwater waters during storms or when the tree breaks naturally, and it eventually washes ashore with the current. Saltwater driftwood are trees that fall into the saltwater waters of the ocean, and they eventually wash up on the shore with the rise and fall of the tide. Freshwater driftwood is lighter in color and smoother to the touch, and because it is not exposed to salt water, it can be preserved for a long time without rotting. Saltwater driftwood is the opposite, because of excessive corrosion by seawater so its surface is always pitted, touch is uneven, rough feeling, it is easy to be corroded and weathered, more fragile, can not be preserved for a long time, but still can be used as a decorative object.
Shape of driftwood
What does driftwood wear and weather into? Carved by nature, driftwood comes in a variety of shapes, and these forms are described below:
original shape
Much of the driftwood can still be seen in its original form, including roots and stumps. Trees that have been uprooted and carried away by water currents can still be seen in their original body and trunk if they have not been severely eroded. This original shape can be transformed into decorative objects and table bases to add natural charm to your home or coffee shop.
Animal Shapes
Some of the wood through the water current and wind and sand carving and erosion, they become very much like a certain animal, inspired by the artist. Walking along the beach have you ever noticed the shape of some wood they may look like flying eagles, cute rabbits, swimming fish, it’s no surprise, the nature’s ingenious work has created countless unique driftwood, so we can see the form of the animals hidden under the twisted branches and capture their souls.
Smooth pebble shape
Pebble shaped driftwood is not uncommon either. They can be made into wind chimes or tabletop ornaments, and carved into wooden necklaces, which go particularly well with minimalist outfits.
Delicate fragment shapes
Driftwood does not only come in huge and twisted shapes, but also in small and delicate pieces. These small pieces can be made into dream nets, pendants, door hangers, and other small decorative items that bring imagination and a fresh, ethereal nature to a space. If you have a engraving tool or a carving knife, you can simply polish the pieces of driftwood you find, it will be a good craft experience.
Combination of driftwood and carving
Driftwood is often transformed into works of art by carving artists. With its unique lines and natural shapes, driftwood offers endless possibilities for artistic carving, adding life and movement to the carver’s work. Famous carvers such as Heather Jansch and Jeffro Uitto have used driftwood to create stunning carvings, and Jeff Uitto’s carvings blend the shapes of driftwood with the dynamics of wildlife, revealing the beauty of the driftwood’s clear lines and the animal’s strength. In this way, the twisted and stiff driftwood is polished and transformed into lifelike works of art into people’s lives.
Maybe you’re just a beginner, maybe you’re a carver, maybe you’re just a hobbyist who’s ready to carve tools and hasn’t started yet, whatever your status hopefully this article will help you.
