Pyrography: Art by Burning

Pyrography literally means "writing with fire" but I quickly came to learn it covers a much broader range of artistic endeavors. Not only do pyrographers use fire and heat to write on wood or leather, but they also create Art by this method. Compare a pyrographer to a painter: the burning tool is our paintbrush and the wood pieces are the canvas.

Personally, however, I've never been one for creating real art.
I'm much more of a hobbyist.

Ever since my mom started turning her talent and passion into a money-making endeavor, I have wanted to find my own hidden talent or passion that I might chase. I tried a few different crafts that I knew wouldn't be too expensive, including making gel candles. I've wanted to try making my own incense as well as tie-dying clothes, but I haven't gotten there just yet.

I did, however, try wood burning when I was offered a free wood burning pen and a couple pieces of wood to work with. I made my first piece back in 2006, this yin-yang. I learned a lot when making that, much of which was only locked away until I could dig it back up again in the autumn of 2007. That was when my creativity bug struck again, and I was gently reminded how much I actually enjoyed making that first piece.

I was helping my mom at the local Holiday Crafters' Corner in the mall, and I craved to do something creative (how could I not?). I dug out my wood burner pen and went to the craft store. I picked up quite a few blank pieces of hobby wood on sale, along with a large design-idea book.

I quickly got into Celtic knot designs and Kanji symbols. Simple images that did not involve delicate lines or a vast array of shades were what I wanted to do, similar to my first piece. Words and symbols are what I felt my talent was good for. I did try my hand at a couple of flowers, for one of which I am still impressed with myself. I even bought a set of watercolors so that I could add color to some of the pieces.

Time flew by during the long hours at the mall, and I had a good time. I even made gifts for a few of my friends. And, I was commissioned within days of setting up the ones I'd already made while at the mall. It was really encouraging to hear all the "wow, you're good" and "these are really pretty!" comments.

A good friend of my mom's encouraged me to sell my pieces, or at least ask a price for my "talent and skill", which lead me to set up an Etsy shop in January of 2008. As of June, I've had 6 sales in my online shop (some to people I don't even know!), and I am really enjoying the community of people I'm meeting.

Nowadays, I'm trying to do more pieces, as I have a pile of wood that I want to use taking up a large corner of my desk. At the time of this writing, I'm actually enjoying making a few magnets and smaller pieces while helping my mom with her setup at the Chelan Street Fair. I am a member of a few different Etsy Street Teams, which keeps me on my toes, and my muse flowing (for the most part). Hopefully I can pursue this a bit more actively, promote my Etsy shop some, and make a little extra money on the side.

If you'd like to keep up with me and my wood burnings, feel free to subscribe (RSS) to my business blog, Dragon's Breath. I plan to update there with new pieces and blogs about my processes in the near future. Be warned, however, that this same blog may be used for thoughts about other creative outlets I may consider, attempt, or otherwise pursue. It will not strictly be about wood burning.

Pyrography Links:

For more information on wood burning, pyrography, and related subjects, check these sites.
These are the main sites I use. As I find other useful ones, they will be added as well.

Nedra's Pyrography - includes tutorials, tools and supplies for purchase, books and patterns, work-in-progress galleries, and anything else you might want to know about pyrography.

The Woodburner - galleries, forums, free patterns, and so much more!