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Folded Birch Bark Tray
Simple, Practical and easy to make...

 

A rectangle of bark folded in a few places and held in shape with a couple of pegs is all that's involved in making these nifty little trays.

I always prefer to use bark stripped from fresh logs for these kinds of crafts; the bark is much more durable and flexible. I personally harvest my bark in the summer months from naturally fallen trees or timber left by forestry operations. You may need to inspect several logs before finding suitable bark as the quality does vary.

Just out of interest, it is a myth that stripping the outer bark from a living Birch tree will kill it. As long as the inner bark is not damaged the tree will continue to live. The Birch will actually re-grow its outer bark over the course of a few years. Although stripping bark in this way is possible and commonly practiced in more Northern countries; it would most certainly be viewed as vandalism here in the UK.

 

     

Start by cleaning up the outside surface of the bark, removing any loose material. Pulling your thumb over the bark side-ways works well.

 

Now cut the bark into a neat rectangle.

 

Carefully score the folding lines onto the bark as represented by the diagram. I used a bradawl for this job.

 

Fold the corners up.

 

Make four small slotted holes ready to receive the pegs which will hold the folds securely in shape.

 

Cut two sticks to length and shave them down thin. If they are a bit flexible that will help with the fitting.

 

 





 

Related Articles:
 

How to make a Birch bark container

The ever useful Birch Bark - ideal for making excellent containers for a multitude of uses -  A step by step guide. 

Weaving Simple Birch bark baskets

Basic weaving technique good for beginners and you can also use dead bark.
 





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