This is a small desk lamp that I made. It shows the grain in the wood which I think is really neat. It doesn't use much glue, it only uses some to hold the columns up but that's enough for this contest.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Some nice wood, I used Wendge
Veneer or very thin wood, mine was white oak
a smaller light on a cord, I got mine for $6 at http://www.amazon.com/Darice-6402-Accessory-Lights...
1/4 inch dowel only 4-5 inches
a 3/4 inch bit, a 1/4 inch bit
wood glue
1/4 inch chisel
a saw/table saw
a drillpress or drill
linseed oil

Step 2: Setting Up Your Base

cut a 5by5 square of your nice wood. Then make a 3/4 inch border and draw a square. At each corner of the inside square make a 3/4by3/4 inch square.In the center of the piece make a mark for drilling a hole later.

Step 3: Cut the Colums

cut a piece of the nice wood 5 inches long. then cut it into 4 smaller pieces 3/4 inches wide

Step 4: Drilling the Holes

drill holes in the center of the squares on the base and on the bottom of the columns using the 1/4 inch drill bit. All of the holes should be drilled 1/2 inch deep.

Step 5: Cuting the Dowel

cut 4 pieces of the 1/4 inch dowel each just under an inch long then put them into the columns holes with some wood glue to keep them in there.

Step 6: Make the Slots for the Veneer

using a hack saw I made slots on 2 sides of each of the columns, and on the base from hole to hole which line up with the ones on the column. Each slot is only a couple of centimeters deep.

Step 7: Put in the Light

If you are using the light I did you first need to break the metal part off. Then take the 3/4 inch drill bit and make a hole in the center of the base. After that flip the base and using a small chisel make a slot for the cord to go in. Then put it in to see if it fits

Step 8: Sanding

sand up all the pieces getting rid of all stray pencil/sharpie marks made and smoothing out the wood making it look good and feel smooth.

Step 9: Gluing and Finishing

Glue the 4 columns in and after it is dry take the linseed oil and rub it all over the thing with a good amount coating everything. After 20 minutes come back and wipe the thing dry of the extra oil, if you don't wipe it down it will become sticky and gross.