Help me out?

[Mangolyn]

I've been searching for a while for something to make myself an incense burner from, and recently, while on vacation, I found the perfect thing.

A delightful, lake-worn piece of driftwood. Beautiful color, size, and a shape nothing but Nature could come up with.

Trouble is, I don't know how to work it. I know I can just drill a small hole for the stick to stand in, but the little trough to catch the ash...*shrugs* As-is, it'd just fall off the side of the wood. But I don't really want to carve into the wood, because I think it'd ruin the beautiful shape and smoothness that Nature gave it.

A friend suggested sanding it out, but I'm not sure that'd work. Any suggestions how to go about doing this?  

[Catcheen]

I'd suggest using a chisel to cut a shallow trough into it, but you said you don't want to carve into it. I guess you could make a Sculpy trough and glue or screw it on the wood?  

[Lee Kushrenada]

I would get some long shell's from the beach, and glue them onto the wood so it catches the ash. 3nodding
just an idea.  

[Mangolyn]

Lee Kushrenada

I would get some long shell's from the beach, and glue them onto the wood so it catches the ash. 3nodding
just an idea.

The beach is three hours away.

And no, I don't have a picture. It's perfectly straight and about 11" long, an inch or so wide, and vaguely triangular from the cross-section. But it sits flat on two of its sides.  

[Ska Hippie]

I was going to suggest the scupley, but if you don't wanna buy or play with it, the shells would be absolutely beautiful!! Instead of going to the beach, check a dollar store (if there are any around you) ~ I got a huge bag of shells for 1$ at the Dollar Tree a few weeks ago smile  

[kochi~mochi]

Mangolyn

Lee Kushrenada

I would get some long shell's from the beach, and glue them onto the wood so it catches the ash. 3nodding
just an idea.

The beach is three hours away.

And no, I don't have a picture. It's perfectly straight and about 11" long, an inch or so wide, and vaguely triangular from the cross-section. But it sits flat on two of its sides.

sometimes the craft stores have some sea shells...  

[Lee Kushrenada]

::love's it whem people think his idea's are good heart ::  

[Annchen]

You'll lose that lovely grey colour if you start to sand it or cut it. Normally only the outer layer has that colour and there's normal wood underneath. It all depends on how weather worn it is, but I think gluing something on to catch the ashes might be a good suggestion.  

[sonicrunner001]

I'd go talk to a friend that is a carpenter or a contractor (or both!) See what they have to say. I suggest though, is to buy the cone insence and burn it instead of sticks.  

[Mangolyn]

Thanks everyone for your help.

*continues to ponder*