Tree Trimming

Totembaum

MERRY CHRISTMAS, READERS!

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As the Christmas Eve sun (yes, sun! —it finally stopped raining) dips behind Mt. Rubidoux, I thought it would be fun to add a little color to a backyard structure made of found wooden shelving elements. We found these cool wood pieces hidden on a top shelf in a junk shop, but had no wall space to attach them to at home. So, playing around with them, I decided to attach them to each other to create a free-standing totem-thing. Sunk securely into concrete, the three uprights form a multi-armed stem topped with carved flower plaques; perfect garden art as-is, or a great display perch for this project. For trimmings, I used pieces from two diverse collections of mine …

Elements

… bright enameled metal dishes and bowls, and large antique glass radio tubes (all flea market purchases). The enameled pieces give great color in the waning sun and the radio tubes, a cool reference to workaday tree lights. Our new totembaum stands before the largest of our three garden sheds, and the hits of color and shine look nicely festive. In the close-up, above, the same elements look terrific on a very cool little wood table we found at a garage sale. An obvious personal project — it’s signed! — this little table radiates its creator’s love for his craft …

Radiated love? What more can you ask for today?