In the Spring of 2017, I started my wood collection, in the form of "cookies". As far as I know, I have the largest collection in the world, if only because most wood collectors collect in other forms, usually blocks.
Most of my samples are from Arkansas. I collected them under a firewood permit, which means I had to search for freshly fallen trees in order to get good samples. I have collected a few from Colorado, and even three in Jamaica when on vacation! I still have many species left to collect, especially in the west!
They are all drying for now. Once they are dry, I will sand them down real smooth and display on my wall. No clocks, no paintings. They are their own form of art.