Driftwood Santa Ornament

THE ARTIFACT

This driftwood was reclaimed from the shores of Lake Erie. Each piece is unique. The driftwood is painted white in the likeness of Santa. It has a brass bell on the hanging string.

DIMENSIONS & SCALE

• Artifact type: reclaimed Lake Erie driftwood
• Artifact size: varies from approximately 6 inches to 10 inches

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.