Pyrography ... A Great Pastime? Do You Burn?
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
September 29, 2007 10:48am CST
It's my birthday this week, and I decided to collect a new set of altar tools, and indeed, a new altar, more significant to the new Tradition I've incorporated in my beliefs, So, the items I can make and empower myself, I am setting about making mainly from wood, and as lightweight as possible.
I can't go around cutting all sorts of trees to bits... that's not my style, so in some instances, I've employed the help of the village tree surgeon, for supplies. Other bits, like my staff, I picked up in the forest, already stripped of bark, smooth, an excellent length, and sturdy, but it does need rubbing down to remove protruding knarls, decorating and empowering to suit me. Also, I have obtained "slices" of pine, with the bark still around them, which are in the shed drying out, and some more on the way. I collected seven pebbles from the beach, to use as elemental stones for my "mobile" circle, a pentagram, a God image and a Goddess image, which I am going to paint and make a velvet bag for, so as to use them in my travels, wherever the need arises. So... pyrography is a requirement, on the staff, pentacle and a God and Goddess symbol for my main altar. I also wish to use a pyrography pen to personalise my wand, so when asked what I wanted for my birthday by my son, I said a pyrography kit. :)
Now... I'm new at this and I have no idea about where to start. I guess the secret is probably to draw or trace the design onto the wooden article, then work it in with the pyrography pen. Does anybody use this craft, and if so... can you give me any advice or tips? How do the different heads come out and how do you control the level of shading for instance. I can't wait to get my staff done whilst winter is setting in, and I want my wand finished by Imbolc latest... new beginnings and all that! You never know, I might even attempt a Wheel of the Year Plaque for my wall.:) But, don't let's run before we can walk... I'd be grateful for any tips and ideas, from my friends. So, does anybody know pyrography, please?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Sep 07
Lakota, my dear friend, thank you so much for going to the trouble of finding that site for me. I have checked it out and read through Linda Fellows' Worksheets and found them very helpful. There are also some videos in there which I intend to watch at a later stage. It's a good site. Thank you again, my friend, and Brightest Blessings.
Note: From our other discussion about the "Magic Spell Knickers", lol... you prompted me to start another about spellcasting. It ended up being quite lengthy but I found your statements very interesting and thought I would glean the beliefs and actions of others when it comes to them. I just hope it doesn't get deleted! lol.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
30 Sep 07
My initial work won't be anything near as elaborate as that, just signs used in my tradition, a pentacle and such.
As for the other discussion, I don't think it was too offensive, but you never know if people are going to take offense in here, do you? Some seem to be upset by very little.
@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
30 Sep 07
Such a great way to learn a new hobby and seems to be a very rewarding one at that. Looking at the responses there is an abundace of materiasl on the subject and you will certainly have your work cut out so to speak. You will obviously get great pleasure from your endevours and look forward to seeing your wheel of the year plaque. Well done.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
30 Sep 07
Thank you, Deeeky... it's a craft that's always interested me. I would love to be able to etch on slate too, but that's a little more difficult and might be put on the back burner until I've perhaps mastered the wood. In case of mistakes, I have a pile of wood which the local tree surgeon gave me, so we should get something decent from it by the end of the pile. lol.
The techniques look quite simple, and my initial projects are simple designs, starting with a pentacle, and I'm looking forward to it very much, and of course I'll post pictures. :)
Brightest Blessings my dear friend, and thank you for your continued support. x
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
30 Sep 07
i enjoy doing pyrography! i dont get to do it often though cause i need a full free day to complete a project. i just cant stand starting one and then having to stop..whenever that happens it seems like i can never find the time to finish it!
the different tips just screw in. (of course you should wait until cooled before trying that unless you have pliers lol)
shading depends on the tip used. and the type of shading your doing. line shading is done by just lightly dragging the "thin edge" of the general use tip in short strokes. or there are flat tips for shading too. basically..the longer you hold the tip of the stylus to the wood, the more it burns..the darker the shading/lines get. (keep in mind that softer woods burn much faster-test on backside of spare piece of specific woods first)
the place where i get ALL my pyrography supplies is;
http://www.walnuthollow.com/catalog/catalog.html
they have EVERYTHING you could need to start woodburning. the catlog itself is PDF so you have to download it and the order form then print the order form out..unfortunatly they dont have online ordering yet..soon i hope!
they carry everything from beginners kits, wood slabs (like you say you already have) all kinds of different burning tips, beginners and up project books, transfer paper and oil pencils too if you are going to color it. tons of stuff lol!
have fun!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
30 Sep 07
WOW... that is so helpful, Cinder. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain it all, and for the tip about where to buy. It might cost quite a lot for shipping though, as I'm in the U.K., but I know where to go if I get stuck for anything. Thank you again.
As it stands, I have the wood to work on and there's no problem getting further supplies for free, but it is in a rough state and will have to be prepared first. At the moment, it's been almost two weeks in my shed, drying out because it was so wet. Also, on Wednesday, it is my birthday, and my son will be gifting me with a kit, which includes the burner pen, ten branding tips and nine drawing or shading tips. It also contains a leather bookmark, leather fridge magnet, wooden keyring, and a wooden trinket box which I can practice on before attempting my project. So... I can't wait for Wednesday to arrive, lolol, and that's a first, because I hate to be a year older all the time... I want to go backwards, now! :)
Thank you very much for all your wisdom and advice on this, my friend. Brightest Blessings.
@mummymo (23706)
•
30 Sep 07
First of all sweetheart Happy Birthday - when is it exactly? As for pyrography I have seen some beautiful work done in this way but I have no idea how to do it so I am afraid I can't help but knowing you I am very sure you will get the hang of it very quickly! xxxx
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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30 Sep 07
Awwwwww, thank you Mummymo... it's not until Wednesday, 3rd October, but your wishes are accepted, with grace! :)
Well, this is the way I look at it, my friend. I'm not bad at icing a cake, as I'm sure you will agree, so what's the difference between piping a cake and burning the design onto wood? I think I can cope, but I like to be sure of how to set about things. My initial designs are simple ones, but I really would like to progress into more elaborate areas.
Brightest Blessings, love and hugs. xxx
