Raw wood

I sell a variety of raw unsealed wooden pieces. I believe that some items are simply too beautiful to finish with colour changing sealants. If you have bought or are planning to buy one of my organic pieces, then there are a few things to keep in ming to make sure it stays as beautiful as the day you bought it.

1. Keep it away from oils. Oils, fake or natural can easily leave marks on raw wood, so please be aware of this when touching your piece. For example hand cream can mark them, as well as food products.

2. Fading - natural raw wood can easily be bleached by the sun, so please be careful where you place your item.

3. Extreme Heat - When situating your new purchase please avoid placing it too close to a heat source, as extensive amounts of heat can overly dry you product and warp it.

If you are worried about marks or would like to use your item for food, you can seal it yourself at home. It’s super easy.

To do this you can use either olive oil or beeswax.

Olive oil - creates a beautiful dark shiny finish
Organic Beeswax - creates a dark matt colour

Please be aware that adding olive oil, beeswax or coconut oil will change the colour of your piece and the overall aesthetic. Each piece will respond differently to sealing, usually highlighting the grain even more. Please take this into account before adding any sealant, as there is no going back.

*A little tip*

If you would like to see the colour it will turn before taking the plunge, dampen the base with a very small amount of water. This will not stain it permanently - But will reveal the colour it will turn if you choose to finish it.

Your item will need topping up from time to time, you will know when to do this as it starts to appear dull. Simply reapply a thin layer of your chosen varnish to keep it looking beautiful.

Whether you choose to seal your item of not, it will still be 100% unique, beautiful and full of character. I hope you love it!

Olive oil

Olive oil is the perfect eco friendly finishing touch for wood if you want to keep it looking natural, earth friendly and easy to maintain.

Olive oil usually turns a piece of wood a dark warm colour with a slight sheen to it, it’s the perfect treatment if you are hoping to use a piece in the kitchen around food. Especially bowls and serving boards.

Pieces that have been oiled will require a little top up every once in a while to keep them looking as good as the day you bought it. You will know when it’s time to do this because the wood will begin to lose it’s sheen. This is a completely natural occurrence with any wooden item, as over time the wood will absorb the oil. To do this simply apply a small amount to a dry clean lint free cloth and rub it onto your item following the direction of the grain. Take care when oiling and consider if you need to oil the base or not, as even when dry transfer can occur on fabrics and surfaces. If the base does require oiling leave it to dry a lot longer to avoid any staining when placed back in situ.

Organic Beeswax

Organic beeswax is another eco friendly alternative to oiling wood. Not only is it completely natural, but every penny spent on certified organic bee products ensures the continued presence of our wonderful bee populations. If you are unsure which bee products are the best, I’ve popped my favourite below:

Bax Bees - Made right here in Cheshire

I don’t recommend any beeswax which can be found in hardware stores like B&Q and Wickes, simply because these are not 100% natural options, they are usually mixed with lots of toxic chemicals which defeats the object of a sustainably product.

Beeswax has a slightly different appearance to olive oil, it makes a piece look darker in colour, but wonderful matt in finish, keeping away that shine.

Again like an oiled piece of wood, beeswax treated products will need a little TLC every once in a while to keep them looking beautiful. Pop a little beeswax onto a clean lint free cloth and rub onto your piece following the direction of the grain.