Tag: 1065

My idea for Claire's #tealighcallenge2021 was to make a natural looking tealight holder. A dead ugly chunk of Elder was offering itself for what I had in mind. I have never used Elder before so why not give it a try?

When it comes to the project itself, there is little to be proud of in terms of craftsmanship. Lets say it is the result that counts and that result relies heavily on what Mother Nature provided, I merely fixed my mistakes and put a finish on. The name I gave it actually came as an afterthought, several days after had I started the project. Elder is known around here as WitchWood and the piece has something of an eery shape so I went with it.

From wikipedia: 'Folklore related to elder trees is extensive and can vary according to region. In some traditions, the elder tree is thought to ward off evil and give protection from witches, while other beliefs say that witches often congregate under the plant, especially when it is full of fruit. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge. The tree could only safely be cut while chanting a rhyme to the Elder Mother.'

In the garden I'm inclined to rate it as a weed because it grows very fast and its hard to get rid of. Hence not many of my elder trees are allowed to grow as big as the one shown in this video. This one has just always been there as long as I live here and it isn't in the way of anything.

Thanks for the challenge Claire!