Just come across this thread. If you are looking for something more traditional, How about trying to make Thomas J. Elpels birch branch container. An elegant solution and I think just about the right time of year to try it as the sap is beginning to flow.
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...ig=D9q4MuswKrOg_WlBvglO2t7GCk4&hl=en#PPA66,M1
(Hope this link works)
If the link doesn't work then just type 'birch bark container branch' into google and it should be the first result.
Good Luck
Now that I like!