Two Easy Woodworking Projects Using Paper Birch

The paper birch, also known as the white birch, silver birch, or canoe birch, is native to northern North American climates. It rarely grows naturally in climates where July temperatures exceed 70° F (20° C). However, its beauty is welcome in any household. Using the following tools, materials, and instructions, you can create attractive birch candle holders and napkin rings to brighten your dinner table and impress your friends.

The tools you will need for this project are a drill with a 1 1/2" Forstner bit (paddle or spade may be used as alternative), a vise, a saw, sandpaper, and a paintbrush.

The materials you will need are paper birch branches that are at least 2" thick, poly-acrylic (clear satin or matte finish), tea light candles and raffia fiber if you wish to bind the candle holders together. The paper birch branches will be cut to various lengths. Binding the candle holders together with raffia adds to their stability and is encouraged.

To create the candle holders:
1. Cut the branches to the desired lengths, from 2" to 8" long. Remember that the longer the holders are, the less stable they will be on the table. You will use the drill and Forstner bit to remove a plug from one end of each of the branch lengths. The hole will be slightly larger than the tea light candles so that they can be placed inside.
2. To cut the birch branch, first secure it in a vise. Place the drill with the Forstner bit in the center of the end of the branch. Drill about 3/4" deep. Then remove the branch from the vise and place a tea light candle in the hole. If you would like to, you may bind at least three of the candle holders together with raffia fiber. This will add stability to the candle holders. Do NOT leave lit candles unattended!

To create the napkin rings:
1. Place the birch branch in the vise, as in the above instructions. Drill a hole about 1 1/2" deep. Then remove the branch from the vise and saw off the hollowed section to create a ring. Repeat the process to make more rings.
2. Smooth the ring on the inside and out with sandpaper. Then apply two coats of poly-acrylic and allow to dry.

To see a video of this process, check out the Cultivating Life with Sean Conway website.

Here is some information on purchasing white birch:

• 1 and 2 white birch lumberrwlgre | Stick Trade - 1 and 2 white birch lumberrwlgre. Posted April 26th, 2010. 1 and 2" white birch lumber,rwl.green or kd, click Selling in BC Contact StickTrade.com Customer Service To Set Up Your Account Today. Share this: ...