Driftwood Keychains

THE ARTIFACT

These mixed pieces of driftwood were reclaimed from the shores of Lake Erie. Each piece is unique and varies in shape, size, and color. One end holds a key ring securely fastened through a carefully drilled hole in the wood.

DIMENSIONS & SCALE

• Artifact type: reclaimed Lake Erie driftwood
• Artifact size: driftwood pieces range from 3.5 inches to 4 inches (see reference photo with quarter for visual scale)

THE ORIGIN

Each driftwood fragment begins its life as part of the massive sycamores, oaks, and cottonwoods that line the high bluffs and riverbanks of Lake Erie. During the violent “Gales of November” or the heavy spring thaws, these trees are claimed by the rising waters of the rivers and marshes that feed the lake. Unlike ocean driftwood, which is primarily cured by salt, Lake Erie wood is “milled” by the lake’s shallow, choppy basin. The freshwater acts as a gentle abrasive, stripping away the bark to reveal the dense, resilient heartwood beneath. After being cast onto the high-water marks by a storm, the wood sits in the open sun. This natural UV exposure leaches out the organic tannins, turning the once-dark timber into a luminous, “silver-grey satin” artifact. The hue of the wood is determined primarily by the type of tree, how long it has been in the lake, and how long it has sat on the beach under the harsh sun.

Please select the keychain you are interested in via an order note (available at the bottom of the checkout page).