I'm working on making wooden necklaces, and I've got some fresh wood slices that my dad cut up from our garden. The only issue is that they were a bit wet from the rain when we collected them, and I need to dry them out quickly. I know a lot of people use ovens, but I'm really not comfortable with that method. I've been trying the microwave, as suggested, and I can actually see the moisture coming out! Any other ideas for drying these out without using an oven?
3 Answers
Honestly, if the wood wasn't super wet to start with, a little rain shouldn't be a big deal. If it's been a couple of days and it's still moist, you might need to use some heat to get things moving. Microwaving them in short bursts could work, just make sure to keep an eye on them so they don't overheat!
You might want to try heating some sand in a cast iron pot and then burying the wood slices in it after removing the pot from heat. It's a unique trick that helps draw out moisture, and it could work well for your slices! Just be aware that faster drying can cause cracks, but if you’re going for a natural look, that might not be an issue for you!
Cracks might actually add character to your necklaces! I think that sounds like a cool idea!
If you're nervous about using the microwave, you could always just leave them in a warm, dry place like the attic. Just check on them regularly as they can dry out quickly. If that's too much effort, the microwave really is one of the easier methods for small pieces!
I get it, climbing up to check them isn't the best! Just keep it simple with the microwave and monitor it closely.
Yeah, I've done the microwave thing too, and you can see the steam. Just make sure you don’t leave them in too long or they can get too hot!