| Perhaps you, like many other people, have | | | | patterns to get you started. The rest of the |
| recently become interested in woodcrafts. | | | | series contains more patterns and techniques in |
| Woodworkers have many activities which they | | | | many different styles. |
| can pursue - furniture and toy making being two | | | | The best wood to start on is basswood because |
| examples. Although enjoyable, most woodshops | | | | it burns easily. Many types of basswood are |
| require a lot of room, plus a fairly large | | | | available, including ovals, rounds, planks, and barrel |
| investment in tools. One woodcraft hobby which | | | | staves. Neat wooden boxes in many different |
| requires little space, and only a modest | | | | styles can also make good projects. The wood |
| investment in tools is wood burning. Although it | | | | surface to be burned must be very smooth for |
| would be helpful to have a designated area to | | | | best results. Sand the wood to as fine a finish as |
| work and store tools, this space need not be | | | | possible with a very fine grade of sandpaper. |
| large. Indeed a small sturdy table would be | | | | The pattern is transferred to the wood surface |
| sufficient for most projects. | | | | using either graphite or white transfer paper. Use |
| Wood burning as an art is easy to learn! Start up | | | | graphite paper on light wood and white transfer |
| needs are minimal - a wood burning pen with | | | | paper on dark wood. The pattern and transfer |
| interchangeable points, patterns, graphite paper, | | | | paper are taped to the wood with masking tape |
| sandpaper, and wood sealer. Most of the other | | | | and a fine point ball-point pen is used to trace the |
| materials you need are common household items. | | | | design on to the wood. |
| Walnut Hollow Farm's wood burning pens are the | | | | As mentioned earlier, there are many different |
| best choice. Two basic pens are available - | | | | techniques of burning and several woodburning |
| twenty one watt and twenty six watt. The | | | | tips to use with the pen to get different effects. |
| twenty six watt is for all types of wood, | | | | In addition, the burnings can be colored with oil |
| especially the harder ones. The twenty one watt | | | | colored pencils, and oil paint wash. The combination |
| is the ideal beginner's pen. It's best used on softer | | | | of wood grain, woodburning technique, and oil |
| woods. | | | | paints creates some stunningly beautiful art. |
| Burning techniques differ depending on the point | | | | The list of wood burning craft projects which can |
| used. The key is to start with a simple pattern | | | | be burned is limitless. Burn designs on jewelry |
| and learn how to use the many different points | | | | boxes, ring boxes, cutlery boxes, clocks, and |
| before progressing on to intermediate and | | | | furniture. Burn woodcarvings to lend a unique |
| advanced designs. A very good series of books | | | | touch to your woodcraft projects. Wall hangings |
| for the beginning wood burner is from Walnut | | | | and picture frames are also good candidates for |
| Hollow Farm. Creative Woodburning Book One | | | | wood burning. Take your wood art to any level |
| contains all the easy to learn basics, plus many | | | | you desire! It is a very enjoyable hobby. |