Driftwood, or manzanita branch, can be a perfectly charming way to display your own family tree.
If you have a day at the beach or lake planned, try to spot a piece of wood that has several good branches. Floral supply stores or craft stores often have driftwood and manzanita branches for sale as well, if you can't get out into the wild to find one. Depending on the size of your family, look for a piece that can hold as few or as many family photos as you need.
Find your favorite photos of your family members and print copies. You don't want to cut the originals. Once you've printed them, measure and cut each side of the photo to fit the corresponding frame. Choose a variety of shapes for the medallions to complement the twisted shapes of the driftwood branches.
Insert images in the medallions. Cut the leather rope to about 8" long, thread it through the closing loops and tie the rope securely on the branch.
I also wrapped the thickest part of the driftwood branch in leather to add some color to the piece. This complements the leather strings and frames. You can display the driftwood on a table or shelf, or you can use clear wire and small hooks to hang the driftwood against a wall or from the ceiling.
A driftwood family tree is a distinctive piece of art that ties in with a love of DIY projects, the beach, and is an easy way to remember special family members!
