Awesome Wood

Michael Roopenian is turning his concept into a modest reality. Engrain Tactile Keys are beautiful stick-on keys made of sandblasted and lasercut wood. They’re only for Apple keyboards though.

The Kendall only has a couple of 2″ speakers and 5W amps, but its solid walnut case and retro design are a nice alternative to the sporty or modern look of other Bluetooth speakers.

The most substantial wooden watch we’ve seen, Mica’s Deck Watch is crafted from pine sealed inside and out, making it splash-resistant and long wearing. We also dig the hefty stainless buckle.

Japan’s MokuLock creates LEGO-inspired bricks using wood instead of plastic. We’re not certain, but they look like they’re compatible with regular LEGO. White Rabbit Express might help you import some.

Inspired from the maze-like courtyards of Berlin’s Kreuzberg, Sigurd Larsen’s treasure chest has myriad locked drawers and doors which can house everything from a bottle of scotch to a turntable.

Nonessentials’ wooden chess set comes flat-packed. Just pop the pieces out of the laser-scored wood, slide the pieces together, and play. Available in neutral and 4 smooth colors too.

Two Guys Bow Ties offers handcrafted bow ties made of wood and fabric. You don’t have to tie – or untie – them, they’re easy to clean and they’re available in a variety of quirky designs.

While they might be tricky to shuffle, these engraved wood playing cards are sure to be a conversation starter for your next pickup game of poker or go fish. Includes a leather carrying case.

A welcome change from cheap plastic laptop speakers, Bekerwerks’ Hummingbirds are handmade from American Spalted Maple or Black Walnut. Note: 10Wx2 Amplifier not included.

Positive Space Designs created this three-seater bench using reclaimed wood from an old bowling alley. It actually reminds us of those seats where you put on your bowling shoes.

The Kale Factory’s healthy dried kale chips taste as good as junk food, in flavors like vegan cheese, sea salt & vinegar, bombay ranch and spicy miso. Once you’ve devoured them, reuse the wood gift box.

Artist Trevor Carter of Broken Board crafts these beautiful bike grips from Brazilian walnut and other hardwoods, turning each one by hand, and coating them with durable marine-grade polyurethane.

Handcrafted cards designed by Simon Frouws, elegantly boxed with gold foil details and sealed with a dated tax stamp. The collectors edition comes with four decks in a laser-etched wood box.

Store your bike in style with these handmade architectural wall racks, crafted from durable hardwoods such as black oak, chestnut burl and birch by the artisans at Latvia’s Woodstick Ltd.

Enter now for a chance to win a pair of awesome handmade limited-edition walnut and alloy Henry sunglasses (value $250) from Capital Eyewear. Only 25 pairs are being made. (Contest Ends 11/20/12)

Holly Wood is a series of computer-generated wooden sculptures from French artists Tony and Emmanuelle Lugand that features some of our most beloved pop culture, media and gaming icons.

You don’t need a tree to enjoy these festive HOrrible HOliday HOoligans by Sebastian Reymers. 3 jerks with a saw, axe and match hanging around? Sounds just like the holidays at our house.

Throw out that crummy cardboard box and arrive in style with this wooden bottle carrier, handmade by David and Christopher Steinrueck from salvaged redwood, and a galvanized steel handle.

A gorgeous example of upcycling done right, Balaz Moldovan’s adirondack chair is made from old whiskey barrel staves. Also available as a rocking chair. Check out his Etsy shop for more.

Combining modern tech and natural beauty, the Orée Board Bluetooth keyboard is handmade from a single piece of either walnut or maple, in Mac or PC, US, UK or Canada layouts, and three fonts.

Rodrigo Rubio and his colleagues only needed 5 weeks to create the Solar House 2.0 – and were able to customize it for its surroundings – thanks to digital design and digital fabrication technology.

Michael Roopenian’s Engrain is a prototype keyboard with keys made from a single plank of sandblasted wood. The consistent variation of the ridges on the keys makes it easier to touch type.

Hungarian craftsman Istvan Puskas built his own custom chopper – not using metal parts, but instead making his motorcycle primarily out of acacia wood. Bonus points for that helmet, Istvan.