While working  on a project, we gathered  a variety of texture and simply placed them on the work bench:

vines, striking  foliage and seedpods from the garden; kale, mini-eggplants and some fruits; berries, nuts and succulents; grasses, lichen, moss and river rock.

What fun centerpieces these would be for long tables!

Thanks  Joni for the great pictures!

the swirly seedpod from clematis: a favorite!