DIY Rustic Tray with Horseshoe Handles

My friend Tracey brought me a box of
horseshoes. She gives riding lessons
when she's not playing tennis.
 I thought she'd be the one to ask.
I wasn't sure yet how I would use 

them, but I knew not to miss out on a 

source for free stuff. 

This weekend I finally made something with

two of them, a rustic tray with horseshoe

handles. It's a good container for a coffee

table vignette.

 We used salvaged picket fence pieces
that we cut for the sides.

 We cut a piece of plywood for the base. 

I decided I wanted the tray to be 14X20.

 We nailed the pieces together and 

sanded only the very rough edges. 

 I soaked, and scrubbed clean two
horseshoes and then I rubbed them with 

mineral oil to give them a nice patina.

 I found some leftover stain de jour
 and rubbed on a coat.

 We attached the horseshoe handles.

I used the mineral oil-soaked cloth to rub

everything again, including the wood. 

 I put my Valentine's orchid into a 

$1 thrift store soup tureen.

I covered the soil with dried moss that 

I pick-up whenever we road trip thru

 central Florida. Spanish moss is everywhere.

It grows on trees!

I just gathered a few things 

for this basic vignette.

Lucy likes our new soft throw. 

Then, just to amuse myself,

 I changed one element to make it

Bell, Book, and Candle.

(Some of you may get that.)

Cheers!

HERE I made one in white too

Link: Between Naps On The Porch,
The Graphics Fairy, The Tablescaper,
Under The Table and Dreaming,
A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm,
Creative Cain Cabin, Funky Junk