Rustic stool

Materials: Oddvar stool

Description: I recently purchased an Orgel lamp, but was dissatisfied with it's height - it needed a boost. Looking around ikea, I discovered the ODDVAR stool, which was the perfect height (and price). I felt the unfinished pine was a bit dull, but I didn't want to stain/paint it either. I had heard of wood burning and decided to try it out.

Here's what you'll need:

ODDVAR stool
propane torch (make sure to get a thin canister so it's easier to hold)
Medium grain sandpaper
Fine grain sandpaper
polyurethane

Directions:

1. Assemble the stool.
2. Using the medium grain sandpaper, gently sand the entire piece. This helps with the buring process.
3. *use extreme caution- and perform these steps outside!* Now light the blowtorch. Barely turn the gas on, you don't want a fireball! Adjust the flame till it's about 2 inches long.
4. Go to town on the stool. Try to keep the flame moving for even burning. Keep in mind that you will sand off a bit of the color, so it will end up lighter as a finished product. NOTE: some sap may work its way out of the wood and flame up for a bit - particularly around the knots.
5. After desired color has been achieved, re-sand the stool with the medium grain to remove soot and excess char.

6. Make sure to remove any dust left from the sanding. At this point I simply added a coat of polyurethane. However, if you would like to stain the piece, here is where you would do it(before the polyurethane). Allow to dry 2-3 hours.
7. Using the fine grain sandpaper, gently sand the stool again. NOTE: it's best to use a face mask, as polyurethane contains toxic elements not good for inhalation!
8. Add a final coat of polyurethane and allow to dry.

~ Amanda B.