This upcycled jewelry stand was built from a wooden table found at Goodwill, transformed into a functional piece that embodies the wabi-sabi philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and natural materials.
The project went through several iterations, from an engraved jewelry box to a log-based stand, before landing on the right form. The table’s warm, natural wood grain made it the perfect candidate. Cutting and assembling the pieces proved challenging; a handsaw gave way to the woodshop saw, and a planned drill-and-fastener join was abandoned for wood glue when the wood revealed its brittleness. Each obstacle left its mark on the final piece, and that feels intentional.
Wabi-sabi teaches that nothing is finished, nothing is perfect, and nothing lasts. This stand wears all of that honestly. The imperfections in the cut, the texture of aged wood, and the simplicity of its form aren’t flaws to hide. They’re the point.
