Howard, you've certainly taken us all to school with this project.

Brian...

The tree trunks are round bamboo chopsticks...they are sturdy and priced-right...free, actually...

I have used bamboo floral stakes salvaged from flower arrangements...also priced-right...

After the luffah is glued in place, I wrap the remaining part of the "trunk" with a strip of paper attached with white glue...the strips are torn and not cut with scissors so the edges are random...these strips hide the straight grain in the bamboo and make the diameter of the trunk larger if needed...

Then I paint with dark brown craft paint and dry brush with a lighter brown for highlights...

Not very exciting...but it works for me...

My very best regards...Howard...

It's just awesome, Howard!!!!!!

Again, another masterpiece.

But you photographic ability, really adds to how well it looks.

Cool.

steve...

here's a great article paul wrote on photography...although new camera models have been introduce, the basics still apply...

http://www.btcomm.com/articles/writing_ ... ticles.htm

my very best regards...howard...

Thanks for the Tree trunk tips!! They look great and very sturdy!