Welcome to our selection of handcrafted lamps and decorator items and accessories.

Most of these are made from Bois d'Arc (Osage Orange,) often with other woods included as accent or contrast. I've come to love the beauty and durability of this wood, especially when it has been exposed to the weather for decades in the form of fence posts or driftwood. Take a look at the following pictures...see the beauty that lies within the mundane fences that we drive past nearly every day, and never give a thought to.

         

 I hand craft each of these pieces, and I make many of the fittings. Lamp finials, risers, caps, and such I turn from brass or stainless steel bar stock or tube. Lamp sockets and wiring components are of the highest quality that I have been able to find. Many of my lamps feature custom, hand blown glass shades made to order here in Dallas, TX. Others feature stained glass shades, either moulded or leaded, and always of the highest quality by local artists. Occasionally I will use a vintage or antique shade, if it appeals to me and works well with the base.

I much prefer the look and feel of hand rubbed Tung Oil. Some of my pieces don't lend themselves to oil finishing, so I'll use a top quality clear lacquer. I do not EVER stain wood. All wood is perfect just as it comes from the tree, and doesn't need to be stained or faked.

I enjoy making these. I enjoy delving into a piece of gnarly old wood and discovering and unlocking the treasure within. I hope that you will enjoy my creations as much as I have enjoyed the creating.

         
 
         
 
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Here is my "Boat" lamp. The base is from a piece of Bois d'Arc drift wood from a local lake.It has been underwater most of the past 35 years or so.  I turned the post and finial from brass, and hand spun the cap (beneath the finial.) The shade was custom hand blown by Aaron Tate.

This lamp has a dimmer socket and a vintage look twisted cord set, but with modern polarized plug, for your safety.
 
         

 

 A nice warm glow.
 
       
 How old is this piece of wood? Who was on the land when this tree first sprouted?    
         

 
   
         
 Detail of hand made finial and spun cap. Lacquered brass, of course    
         
 
         
     A small candle holder, also of Bois d'Arc driftwood. Drilled 7/8 inch to accept common tapered candles. I've left a lot of the rough skin, while also revealing the stunning grain within.  
   

 
         
 When a Bois d'Arc fence post has been out in the weather for perhaps 50 years or more, the decades of rain and insect attack leave their traces, usually in the form of dark stained cracks and nesting holes chewed out by carpenter bees. As far as I know, carpenter bees are the only insects who can successfully atack this wood.  
         
         
         

 A business card holder, from an old fence post.
   
         
     
         
         
         
   A night light, also from a Bois d'Arc fence post. The copper flange is hand spun, flame colored and lacquered. The shade is a nice piece, hand blown, crackled and hand painted, but I don't remember where it came from.  
         
   

 
 
         

 

 Notice the growth rings; the good years and the bad years. I wonder what years these were?

 

 

This lamp has been sold
 
         
         
         
     An Obelisk. This sculpture exists solely for it's own beauty. From driftwood; notice the mineral streaking.  
         

 The multiple facets accent the wood grain and the effects of decades of exposure to the elements.

 

 

 

This piece has been sold.
   
         
         
         
 If you see something you like, get in touch. I'm always making more stuff, so bookmark this page and check back with us often.    
         
         
       Our Bois d'Arc page  
         
 A Candle Holder, from driftwood that was once a fence post    
         

 
   
         
       
         
     
         
         
         
 

 One of my favorite lamps
 
         

 Turned from two pieces of fence post. The shade is custom hand blown glass, and the brass fittings are hand made.

 

This lamp has been sold. I still have the glass shade, and it will show up on these pages again.

 

 
 
         
   I gave this lamp a shiny Tung Oil finish. This takes well over a week to do, laying up multiple coats and letting them dry.  
         
     
         

                  A floral arrangement for table decoration. The stainless steel twist nicely offsets the ruggedness of the Bois d'Arc. From a fence post, one side has been exposed for many years, the other is freshly cut.
 
         

   
         
     
         
         
         

 Our own Bois d'Arc tree, complete with tire swing.
 
         

 
 
         
         
         
 Here is something new I've been working on. These are small vessels made from Bois d'Arc. These two shown below are from driftwood that was once a fence post...who knows how long ago?    

 This bowl is about 7 inches long and 3-1/2 wide. The oval bowl portion is 4 inches by 2-1/2

Notice the carpenter bee hole.

   
 These photos cannot possibly do justice to the shimmer and translucence of the grain.  
         
   Another bowl, also from Bois d'Arc drift wood of unknown age. To me, it's always a joy to cut in to the rough wood and find the treasure hidden within. Every piece is unique, every piece is different.  
 This bowl has been sold  
         
         

 My favorite. I've long since lost track of how many hours went into the making of this lamp. Three separate Bois d"Arc turnings are accented by hand made solid brass fittings and a hand spun brass cap on the shade. This lamp is set up with a dimmer switch and a 100 watt bulb. The custom hand blown shade starts out pink, but as the light brightens it turns more of a cream color.
 
         
 

 
 
         

 
 A subdued finish, hand rubbed Tung Oil. A nice balance of wood grain and "rind."  
         

 Accents made from solid brass, turned and polished, then lacquered.

 
 
         

 
   
         
 Exquisite, one-of-a-kind hand blown shade.

 
 
         
         
         
 

 Another holder for your business cards. This one not only has some of the rind on, but a bit of lichen, too.
 
         
     
         
     
         
         
         

 A unique pair of Candleholders
   
         
     
         
   These are from a fence post; note the carpenter bee holes.  
         
   The rings tell their own story; the good years, and the bad.  
         
         
 

 Another floral piece, from a fence post
 
         
     
         

   
         
 A beautiful piece of wood should not be hidden, overlooked or forgotten. It should be in front, where it can be admired.    
         
         
         
         

 Some acknowledgements:

    Aaron Tate is an accomplished, professional glass blower working in Dallas, Texas. I've come to respect his skill and vision, and especially his ability to take a sad excuse for a sketch, and a few minutes discussion, and turn it all into a work of art that works.

        And, of course, were it not for my wife, Tracee, none of this would ever have happened.

   
         

 
 
         
 
 
     
         
     
         
         
         
         
  My Bois d'Arc page



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