STEP 2: Drill holes int your log Take your spade bit and drill holes around the entire circumference of the circle you drew. I first tried doing this with a regular spade bit (which is pictured), but then switched to the speedy spiral one that is pictured in the supplies.
STEP 3: Chip away the remaining chunks Once you have drilled enough circles around, you can take your chisel and mallet and chip out remaining chunks between the holes out of the way. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you have reached the depth you need. Go as far into the wood as possible. *I strongly suggest the spiral bit considering the holes go much deeper and you can get through the wood much faster!! This will take time and can test your patience, but at the same time is somehow therapeutic. I must say I have a new found respect for people who hand carve wood. Also be sure to use protective wear such as gloves and goggles just in case!
STEP 4: Saw slits into the wood Take your circle saw (or a chain saw) and saw the slits so that they are more open and there is a gap from the outside all the way in. This is needed so that the light will shine through. *Once I took these things outside I realized I DEFINITELY should have made the slits larger to get more light gleaming through. Don’t be afraid to make them a good 1/2″-3/4″ thick.
STEP 5: Sand the wood Sand the top and the sides a bit so it is nice and smooth.
STEP 6: Seal the wood Seal the wood with an outdoor capable sealer such as a polyurethane.
STEP 7: Add your lights Once the sealer has dried, place the log over the lights and place them where you wish. I first tried one out inside and thought it did make a cute indoor light as well.
Clearly I need to cut some larger slits in these, but they give a nice warm glow and do help to illuminate the stairs. I was also disappointed with how bright the lights I bought were. I got them online and they said they were 3″ in circumference but they were not even a full inch, so that was one problem, and they weren’t as bright as indicated either. Just keep this in mind while shopping for the lights to go beneath the logs.
These do add a nice touch in the daylight too, but they are certainly more useful at night 😉
If you want something with just a bit of a glow you can keep the slits small like these, but honestly I can’t wait to make them larger and let the light really shine. A cute little touch to any dark doorway!
I took these to my friend’s house as they have a much more epic entryway and their mums paired quite nicely I must say!