A beach hike in search of driftwood provides a fun way to do found art for little or no money.

This project begins at the beach. It should be noted that any home improvement that includes a waveside hike is already a win.

Bring a big backpack and a reusable grocery bag, at least. These are for the driftwood treasures and the beach trash too. (Community service/litter abatement equals win number two!)

Then the hunt is on. Savvy seekers look for nicely flat shapes to mount shells or carvings on, or sturdy enough chunks to build structures with. But the beauty of the hunt is that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Another note: It is illegal to remove anything from sanctuaries like Point Lobos. But at state beaches, it’s all good – within reason, adds California State Parks Monterey District Superintendent Mat Fuzie.

“If you’re taking a truck, you’re not going to be legal,” he says, “but a casual beach walker taking a few pieces here and there is fine.”

Back home the right piece can work well as everything from a doorstop to a decorative centerpiece. Here are four ways they work around my place:

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1.Wall hanging. After I came across a thick piece that looked like a shield, I attached a bracket to its back and sunk a screw in its front to dangle air plants from.

2.Garden border. A collection of straight and not-so-straight sticks can provide a stately perimeter for your plants’ sanctuary.

3.Sustainable Christmas tree. By searching for longer sticks and arranging them by length, drilling holes at their center and threading a pole through those holes, we created a coastal Christmas tree. Shells and sand dollars provided fitting ornaments.

4.Yard accents. Take a stick, drop a nail in and hang an abalone shell or other found treasure from it. Glue guns, as little as $5.99 at Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts in Monterey and Salinas, can help too.