Couple Turns Scrap Wood Into Art

Couple Turns Scrap Wood Into Art FARM HOME Novelty Items Ben and Nicole Labonte have found a way to turn scrap wood into art Their moons hearts and random designs grace the walls of clients throughout the country The slices are 1/2 to 2-in thick rounds up to 6 in in dia of wood cut on a chop saw After being arranged glued and nailed to cabinet-grade 3/4-in plywood Ben a carpenter cuts out the final shape with a jigsaw The Labontes prefer hardwoods because they have fewer cracks and checks but Yew a hard softwood in the Northwest also works well and adds color to the pieces “I’m drawn to shapes I see in nature - circles spirals waves I like gentle curves and spirals ” Nicole says “We mostly leave them natural no sealer ” At a customer’s request the Labontes will add stain or sealer and Nicole a graphic artist paints on a few slices of wood to add some color such as in the piece “Blue Moon ” Demand for “Wild Slice Designs” has grown since the Labontes started selling their work on Etsy in 2014 They now work full time at it Prices vary according to size and detail from $85 for a 14-in mini moon to $650 for a 3 by 6-ft piece The art is bubble-wrapped and shipped UPS in most cases Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Wild Slice Designs Ben and Nicole Labonte P O Box 330 Blue River Ore 97413 ph 207 515-3607; www wildslicedesigns com; www wildslicedesigns etsy com; benicole4@yahoo com

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