Stitching into bark

stitching into bark.jpg

I've recently collected a few pieces of bark from the forest floor when out walking, enjoying the different textures. I'm hoping to dry out the pieces that I've collected and then experiment with stitching into them

A friend Glen, the Wonky Carpenter, gave me some dried out hazel bark, and I drilled some holes into it, then did some stitching into it, using plant dyed raw silk threads.

Wondering how to preserve it. I do like the natural decay of plant materials, I'm also interested to find ways of preserving them, ways that don't alter their natural look.

My friend Keith has recommended the use of polythylene glycol. I'll try that.