Designing for the Tabletop: Autumn Tea-Lights & Entry-Level Craft
Every time I set up a booth at a craft fair, I notice the same thing: people love looking at the larger, complex lamps, but not everyone has the budget or the space for a full sculptural lighting piece. I wanted to design something small, accessible, and tactile that brings that same warm, flickering energy to a table or desk—without having to worry about where to put a massive lamp.
That problem led to my latest workbench experiment for the fall season: a collection of mini seasonal tea-light holders. Made of Baltic Birch using our signature pinch-joints, each one is engineered to hold a battery-powered LED tea-light (no open flame or fire hazards needed). For autumn and Halloween, I built out a mix of cozy and playful shapes—leaves, pumpkins, and acorns for seasonal vibes alongside skulls and fangs for holiday frights.
What I love most about leaving these pieces in raw Baltic birch is that they become a blank canvas. Because there are no heavy synthetic finishes or toxic glues, you can leave them plain to appreciate the natural wood grain, or take a set of pens, stains, or paints and customize them yourself or with your kids. They are simple, low-stakes objects designed to bring a little extra light into the longer fall evenings!
I'll have a full batch of these available for the first time at the Tennessee Fall Craft Fair at Centennial Park (Oct 9–11)! Come by the booth anytime from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, check out how the joinery works up close, and grab a few to light up your space this autumn.
