Here you’ll find helpful ideas, tips and recommendations for tools, accessories and safety items that can make your driftwood art and crafts even more enjoyable and safe.
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This is a question that comes up regularly in our group, so I thought it might be useful to share a few options.
When you’re working with driftwood, choosing the right glue can make a big difference. Driftwood can be dry, porous, uneven and sometimes quite difficult to join, so a good wood adhesive is important.
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue
This would be one of my first choices for driftwood projects. It is waterproof, has excellent bonding strength and can be used for both indoor and outdoor woodworking. It also cleans up with water while wet and sands well once dry.
Titebond II Premium Wood Glue
Another excellent option for woodworking and driftwood projects. It is water-resistant and designed for interior and exterior use. It can be a good choice when you don’t need the full waterproof specification of Titebond III.
Gorilla Wood Glue
Gorilla Wood Glue is another popular choice for wood-to-wood projects and is available in several sizes. It can be useful for general driftwood crafting where a reliable wood adhesive is needed.
A little tip from experience: before applying glue, make sure your driftwood is reasonably clean and dry, and try to get the two surfaces to fit together as closely as possible. Remember that ordinary wood glue isn’t designed to fill large gaps, so don’t rely on glue alone where two pieces have very little contact.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
My workshop is chock-full of woodworking tools and accessories, and a lot of them were birthday or Christmas gifts from family and friends.
They would say I have no idea what to get you. My answer would be “If you’re ever stuck for what to get me, you can never go wrong with a woodworking tool!” And they’d often smile and say, “You choose it and order it, and we’ll pay for it.”
I was always chuffed with that arrangement. It was a handy gift for me and an easy solution for them, a real win-win for everyone!
You may not agree with our arrangement, but how often have you received a gift that has no practical use?
It might not sound very exciting, but having a variety of drills is incredibly useful. I use them for all sorts of jobs, and they come in handy almost every day. Sometimes the most practical gifts turn out to be the best ones!
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Why Carry Home Driftwood You Don’t Need?
If you enjoy collecting driftwood, you’ll know that a piece can look absolutely perfect on the beach, only to become a bit of a handful once you’ve started the long walk home!
That’s why I always like to carry a small wood saw with me when I’m out collecting.
A saw can be surprisingly useful when you’re looking at larger pieces of driftwood. You might find a beautiful branch or interesting piece of timber, but perhaps there’s a long section at one end that you simply don’t need for your project.
Rather than carrying all that extra weight home, you can trim it down there and then.
This has several advantages. Firstly, it makes your collection much easier to carry. Secondly, you’re not filling your workshop with pieces that you may never use. And thirdly, you can often get a much better idea of the shape and size of the piece you’re actually bringing home.
Of course, always take care when cutting. Make sure the piece of wood is secure, keep your fingers well away from the blade, and take your time. A folding saw is particularly handy because it can be safely folded away when you’re walking along the beach.
One thing worth remembering is that driftwood can be surprisingly hard on cutting tools. Sand, grit, salt and other debris can become embedded in weathered wood, so don’t be surprised if a blade becomes dull (blunt) sooner than it would when cutting clean timber. Brush off as much sand as you can.
And here’s a little tip for looking after your saw.
When you’ve finished using your saw, especially after taking it to the beach, give the blade a good clean and dry it thoroughly. A light coating of suitable oil or a corrosion-protecting product such as WD-40 can help protect the metal from moisture and rust.
A minute spent looking after your saw could help keep it in good working order for much longer.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Here’s a piece of driftwood art that I made a while ago. I thought I’d share it here, as it might give you an idea or a bit of inspiration for your own projects.
Power washers are often mentioned in our group when it comes to cleaning driftwood.
They can be really useful for getting into all those awkward little nooks, holes and crevices that are difficult to clean by hand.
Here’s one that has received good reviews, although there are plenty of different models to choose from, depending on what you need.
They’re not just useful for driftwood either! A power washer can be handy around the home for cleaning cars, patios, garden furniture, paths and much more.
If you’re looking for something versatile that can help with your driftwood projects as well as everyday cleaning jobs, a power washer could be worth considering.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
A little friendly reminder from one crafter to another.
When you’re sanding, cutting, or just generally working with wood, especially driftwood that’s been out in the salt and sand, please do consider wearing a suitable face mask.
That fine dust gets everywhere, and even if you can’t always see it, your lungs will know about it. I learned that the hard way after a long afternoon of sanding in the workshop without one! Your lungs will definitely thank you for it.
Stay safe, fellow crafters.
There are so many types of safety masks on the market these days. The ones I’ve linked to here are disposable and handy to have in a box in the workshop, but the main thing is just to choose the right ones for you, something comfortable that you’ll actually wear. Check the reviews.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
The vast majority of us were lucky enough to be born with two healthy, amazing sensory organs, our eyes.
We use them every second of every day, and we rarely give them a thought. We use them to spot that perfect piece of driftwood on the beach, to see the grain come alive when we use oil or varnish, and to admire each other’s work.
Can you imagine if something terrible happened to one or both of them? One chip of wood, one snap of a wire brush, and one bit of dust at the wrong moment could change everything in an instant.
That’s why I always say, Please protect your eyes when you’re working with certain tools, whether it’s drilling, cutting, grinding, or using a power washer. It only takes a second to put them on.
Stay safe and look after those precious eyes, fellow crafters. We need them for all that beachcombing and crafting that’s still to come!
Here’s an affordable pair with good ratings, but please have a good look around and choose the best ones for you. The important thing is that you wear them.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Now and again I’ll add a driftwood image to give you a bit of inspiration; let’s say it’s a crafting idea. They will all be my own creations. Hopefully they will spark a few ideas for your own projects! Happy crafting. Admin.
Sometimes we want to give our driftwood crafts a little something extra, a richer, deeper, darker colour.
If you’re after that lovely, warm honey-amber tone that really makes a piece come alive, pure tung oil is a wonderful choice. It’s been used for centuries, and it’s listed as one of the most popular selling brands on Amazon for a reason: it just works beautifully on driftwood.
What I love about it is how it soaks right in and brings out the natural grain. It doesn’t sit on top like a varnish; it gives the wood a beautiful, soft glow from within.
And here’s the real bonus: once it’s fully cured and dry, it’s food-safe. So if you’re making chopping boards, serving boards, bowls, or any little kitchen pieces, you can use it with complete peace of mind.
Just brush on a thin coat, let it soak in, wipe off the excess, and let it dry. It’s a lovely, relaxing part of the finishing process.
But as always, choose what’s right for you and your project.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Here’s another driftwood crafting idea; you can’t say it’s not handy! Let your imagination run wild.
To bore shallow holes in driftwood for tea light holders, you’ll get a much better finish using Forstner wood drill bits.
You’ll also get a better result working with a drill press, and then all your candle holders will sit nice and level.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
There are plenty of sizes to choose from. Just choose the size that matches your candle holders.
A few people have asked me what kind of paint I use when I want that lovely soft white finish on my driftwood crafts, so I thought I’d share what works for me.
I use a ready-mixed chalk or milk matt paint. As you know, driftwood is dry, porous and often a bit uneven, so you need something that really works with it, not against it. This type of water-based paint is made to be applied to bare, unfinished or stripped and sanded wood, so it’s perfect for driftwood. It soaks right in and gives you that lovely high-end, weathered look in just minutes, without any fuss.
Now, on its own, chalk or milk paint is not suitable for exterior use, so do bear that in mind if your piece is going to live outside.
But for driftwood art, you don’t want that shiny, plastic look, do you? This type of paint dries to a beautiful soft matt finish that looks very similar to real sun-bleached driftwood, like it’s been sitting in the sun for years.
My little tip: when it’s fully dry, I sometimes lightly sand the edges with a bit of fine sandpaper. It just takes the edge off and gives it a lovely antique, time-worn look.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
I’ve made many driftwood wall-mounted jewellery hangers over the years, using small pieces of wood for the hangers. Then I had a eureka moment: wooden golf tees!
I found that bamboo tees were the best, as they are much stronger.
Once the driftwood piece was finished, I bored the holes using a bench drill. Doing it that way keeps all the tees level and facing exactly the same way, which makes all the difference to the finished look.
Just bore the holes the same size as the shaft of the tees, add a little drop of glue, and gently tap the tees in to the desired depth. Check the other listed tees on Amazon for sizes and choose the ones best suited for your project.
Simple, strong, and they look great! Check the lengths!!
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Here’s another driftwood crafting idea.
I’ve been looking for strong bags for collecting driftwood, but they all seemed too expensive just for lugging wood about! So here’s a recommendation for some that won’t break the bank.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Carving bits make it so easy to get creative, perfect for shaping, carving, engraving, hollowing, cutting and grooving.
Driftwood is never straight, and that’s the beauty of it. These pencil-sized bits are brilliant for those tight, awkward spots, inside a knot, along a twisty branch, and all those tricky places your other tools can’t reach.
They have a 1/8″ / 3.2mm shank, which fits most rotary tools like a Dremel.
It’s the most popular size, but just double-check your rotary tool takes 1/8″ / 3.2mm bits before you order.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Members often ask in our group what the best preservative is for driftwood that lives outside.
To be honest, I wouldn’t use varnish; it looks great at first, but it can peel and crack after a winter outside.
I think a much better option is a clear penetrating sealer. It soaks right in, keeps that natural driftwood look, and lets the wood breathe.
There are quite a few good makes on the market. I’ll suggest one, but it’s worth having a search around and reading the reviews to find the one that suits your project best. Some are very expensive!
In some cases you can choose different quantities.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
Here is a driftwood crafting idea for today.
For safety reasons, it is better to use battery-operated candles.
I would never go for a walk along the beach without a pocket knife.
So many times a knife comes in handy, sometimes for cutting a piece of rope or cutting floats off an old fishing net. I use these kinds of items for my crafts along with driftwood.
I once came across a grey seal entangled in an old fishing net. It was such a good feeling when it was cut free and made its way back into the water. It wasn’t easy though; have you seen their teeth! They obviously don’t know you are trying to help them.
I’m not sure about your laws concerning carrying a pocket knife; I live in a small fishing village in Scotland, where the law states that the blade be no more than 3 inches and unlockable. In the USA each state has its own laws.
Here is a recommendation for a small pocket knife.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want and check the prices and reviews.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
I live very close to the seashore, where I can go for a walk and collect driftwood, but I know many of you are far from any coastline.
I wouldn’t consider buying driftwood myself because of where I live, but I’ve had a look online, and there are driftwood pieces for sale. Once you’re on the site, have a search for driftwood pieces and see what else comes up.
If you live in Canada or France, just click on the USA link: it should take you to the same product or one very similar in your own country. Or simply search for the product you want.
These are Amazon affiliate links; please see the details at the start of the page for more information.
