My “wooden Santa” passion began when we lived on the West Coast 20 years ago  It all started on a beachcombing venture with the family.

    Scattered amidst the seaweed and shells were some of the most beautiful smooth pieces of driftwood in all shapes and sizes.  I began collecting these and painting them, turning them into Santa ornaments. Every trip to the beach, the whole family (even my hubby) would help me search out the perfect piece of driftwood.  My husband would just shake his head in disbelief that I could take a slightly pointed misshapen piece of wood and turn it into St. Nick.

    We moved to the East Coast and that is where I discovered the amazing beauty of the cypress knee.

    The cypress “knee” is a woody projection from the root of the cypress tree.  The “knees” can be removed from the tree and the tree will continue to thrive.  I obtain my knees from a company in Louisiana that does professional harvesting, and the sizes vary from a few inches to 3 feet in height! I only know the size of the knee; everything else is a surprise.  Once I receive the wood, the piece is studied for perfect placement of head, hands and Santa’s sack! Some Santas have an added sack that is filled with toys and goodies. These I usually create for the taller figures.

    Now you can customize your own Cypress Knee Santa figure in The Merry Bishop Store!