How difficult is pyrography?

[onlyme]

After drooling over woodtattoos gallery, I'd really love to have a go at this craft, but I'm worried at the initial outlay and the difficulty involved? I'm guessing it's not easy, but do you work freehand or to a pattern, and can mistakes be corrected or does it mean the end of whatever you are working on? Any advise woul be gratefully received (but very queitly, or my long suffering hubby will probably divorce me, lol) Thanks... :D

[Scorch]

Depends on you, I reckon - if you could draw or trace over a design neatly and nicely with a felt-tip, you'll likely be able to do the same with a pyro pen. Although all pyro pens are not created equal - I'd advise that you have a go with one before buying it.

You do need a steady hand, and you can indeed use designs & templates as well as draw freehand - I always do. You'll find some info about this, and pyro machines & such on the "Hints & Tips" page of my site (in the sig) and I'm sure I there's some other discussions about it in this forum, too...

[woodtattoos]

After drooling over woodtattoos gallery, I'd really love to have a go at this craft, but I'm worried at the initial outlay and the difficulty involved? I'm guessing it's not easy, but do you work freehand or to a pattern, and can mistakes be corrected or does it mean the end of whatever you are working on? Any advise woul be gratefully received (but very queitly, or my long suffering hubby will probably divorce me, lol) Thanks... :D

Ah, so now I know who left the dribble all over my website! ;) :D

Firstly, thanks for the compliment, it means a lot. I personally think that pyrography is a very easy craft to start up on as the outlay is quite small... you don't need a massive amount of expensive equipment.

A lot of my work is freehand, or adapted from stencils/photos/other sources. Like Scorch said... if you can draw, you should be able to pick up pyro quite easily.

Scorch's site has good tips... and you could always mark down February 2010 in your diary for the publication of my pyrography book, chockfull of images of my work for you to drool over. Perhaps I should speak with my publishers to find out if the pages are water-resistant... ;)

Si.

[snowgoose]

iv always thought about having a "go" at doing this but will wait and see what the money situation is like after xmas. ( im now thinking pyro jewellery pendants and beads and such ) Hmmmm interesting ;):D:mf:

[onlyme]

I read the hints n' tips page then followed it up with a visit to the 'Child's' thingummybob (sorry, I've forgotten the name of it!) and I think nearly a hundred quid is out of my budget for the short term at least :o Maybe in the new year I'll be able to save up the pennies? ;)

Thanks for all the help.

Gail

[Louise88]

I've always fancied a go at it ever since I saw somebody doing it at a fair when I was about 10. Is it bad that I really like the smell it makes? :o:o:o

[woodtattoos]

I've always fancied a go at it ever since I saw somebody doing it at a fair when I was about 10. Is it bad that I really like the smell it makes? :o:o:o

No, a lot of people say that when stood at my stall while I burn away at craft fairs... another reason why I will miss being able to burn at my event this weekend!

[Louise88]

Oh good, it's not just me then?!

(Don't tell anyone, but I like lighting matches for the smell :p)

[Scorch]

I read the hints n' tips page then followed it up with a visit to the 'Child's' thingummybob (sorry, I've forgotten the name of it!) and I think nearly a hundred quid is out of my budget for the short term at least :o Maybe in the new year I'll be able to save up the pennies? ;)

Thanks for all the help.

Gail
That IS the problem, indeed. Mind you, some people manage fine with the solid-point £10 machines... it's just that I'm not able to, personally. Maybe there's somewhere you can have a go - your local school might do a course, or maybe someone's at a fair demonstrating?

Lots of people like the smell of burning on wood... leather's not as nice, though!

[samigail]

My funds dictated I had to get the solid point. i got 'pyromaster'. It came with 18 tips - which included some branding tips, one which i use to look like snowflakes or baubles on a wooden tree!
At the moment it is suiting my purpose and all I've ever known so I do get on with it - at least for now. I suspect when i can afford the other machine I'll change my mind. But as I say, it is all i've ever known.
It cost be about £28 as I say came with 18 different tips, and some wood shapes to have a go on!
I got it from Dalescraft and I have a feeling they have a sale on the machine at the moment

[onlyme]

Oooo...thanks for that tip! I'v not been to Dalescraft website for ages - I will now! :D

[Scorch]

Excellent - wishing you the very best of luck with it! Have fun...

[shiner]

The nearest I've got to pyrography was burning my name into the handles of my tools with a heated 4" nail so they didnt get nicked on site, oh no I just remembered I also burned my initials into the science desk at school with the soldering iron a bit stupid really trying to deny it when it's your initials and its still warm doh