Grabbed some scrap oak board today and re-sawed it into 1/4 inch pieces and made coasters, not fancy coaster, but based on some recommendations on wood forums I left the wood grain view-able. I protected the wood with linseed oil. This is the first for linseed oil, I like it, just rub it in. I love the look of natural wood.   Oh what fun I had playing in my own little world today.  :)