Sometimes a piece of cottonwood is so special I end up spending a lot of time with it before cutting or shaping. I did always think that it would grow up to be a lamp. Progress was slow and I really connected with the energy of this piece. The more I sanded and hand rubbed it, the more grain popped out. I worked on it for a few months making small decisions here and there. It had lots of nooks and crannies just right to pop in bits of turquoise. 
Often times when I needed inspiration I would return to this piece balancing a bit of turquoise, turning the smooth wood over in my hands. The back has some interesting characteristics as well and soon it was ready to leave the nest.
I felt the lamp shades should have texture which comes from from the natural rice paper, burned edges, and pieces of rope and leather. 
I ended up with three lamps in this series.
I am often asked if I look for a piece of wood to make something. Sometimes, but my answer is always that the wood tells me what it wants to be. This polished cottonwood burl wall hanging needed just a bit of spark so the lights behind the rice paper dome gives it a golden glow.
Finding materials to work with and up-cycling has been a passion for a long time. This piece has a bit of glass from a heavy glass bowl that had broken. I just couldn’t part with the unique glass and it fit perfectly. The leaf etched glass is secured in the knothole and battery powered fairy lights shine through the leafy beauty.
One more light to show you. I really love this piece and think it might be my favorite of all the designs. The wood burl is so unique and was one of my most exciting finds! The finish retained the natural gray color. I didn’t sand this one at all using 4 pieces to compliment the shape and give it support. Pieces of glass glow from the battery powered fairy lights. I find it best displayed where one can see all sides, eye level or above.
I hope you enjoy the light series. Please comment and let me know what you think!