See "Splinters": a small piece of oak from the Arboretum (Kew at Castle Howard). I'ts made by Tom Rowlands, and it's number 68 on
www.i-bidder.com/branchingout .

There are 71 small works of art, each one made from a piece of wood from the Arboretum. You can bid for any of them - all proceeds will go to the Arboretum, which protects and propagates a huge collection of trees.

Tom has kindly given his time and imagination to this project. He chopped at his oak branch so furiously that he cut himself, and a bit of blood fell on to one of the splinters of wood.

Other contributors include Dave Gilmour, Chris Martin, Sebastian Conran, Tony Husband, Sarah Kennedy, Joanna Lumley. Terry Molloy, Dame Janet Baker - see them all on www.i-bidder.com/branchingout, and support vital trees!

woo Chemical blood! Irishfan will buy the lot!

To save everybody some time, here's a direct link to Tom's piece:
http://www.i-bidder....54&lotid=446941

Cool! What a nice cause!

Some of the other pieces featured are quite lovely.

Colyer, on 11 September 2010 - 09:02 AM, said:

Hey! A free DNA sample with purchase!

hehehe I like Tom's sloppy handwriting

I wonder if this stuff holds special powers?

Biff, on 12 September 2010 - 09:46 PM, said:

Yeah, it gives you +10 to speed, +1 to light and the ability to find more magic items than usual. But you have to wear it in your knickers, otherwise it won't work.

It just looks like something a mad scientist would keep handy.

...or something found in Snape's lab

I could actually go see the viewing on Thursday if I wanted to......I just might....

Take one for the team, Ryno! Do it!