Interview with Shelly Kim of Letters by Shells

This interview with Shelly Kim of @lettersbyshells is a discovery of how Shelly became a successful artist and the ups and downs of her artistic journey. We talk how Shelly started making money with her artwork and she turned her passion into money!

Follow Shelly @lettersbyshells + @learnletteringtoday

Visit her Website: lettersbyshells.com

Shop Lettering Workbooks

Buy Shelly’s Book: Digital Hand Lettering and Modern Calligraphy

Listen in on how Shelly created a successful community through social media, how important it is to have peers in the same field and so much more on switching your hobby into your full time business.

This interview was created for Burn Club+ in 2020, and was just now released to the public.

Grow with the community and get first access to interviews, exclusive tutorials and lessons by joining Burn Club+, a place where you can ask questions, and get the full answers, a place of fun and learning.

Burnt October 2021

Burnt October 2021 was amazing! Held on Instagram, #burntoctober is an every-other-day art challenge for wood burning artists of all stages. It was created for artists to push their craft, expand their portfolios with new art, gain followers, try new things, meet fellow pyrographers, sell art, and have a lot of fun. Scroll to the bottom to see the featured artists!

This is a sponsored challenge and post from our friends at Walnut Hollow, the amazing makers of excellent wood surfaces and wood burning products like the wood and burner in this photo of the amazing prompts we have for you next month. These prompts were all requests from Burn Club+ members, and I personally can not wait to see what artists create with them.

It is a full month of creativity, and a ton of fun. I really hope you join in!

You do not have to participate in the entire month to join, but we hope you do. You also do not need to be a professional pyrographer to join in the fun. If you have a burner, I hope you give it a try.

How it works: Every-other-day post your piece of art that was created for that particular prompt. Be sure to use the #burntoctober hashtag and mention @woodburncorner and our sponsor @walnuthollow in your post. We will both be featuring artists who participate ALL MONTH LONG on our respective Instagram accounts in both stories and posts.

the challenge begins October 1, 2021

I am so pleased to have Walnut Hollow(@walnuthollow) once again sponsor this Burnt October challenge on Instagram for so many reasons. My favorite wood, and the tool that I suggest all pyrographers should own, are made by this company. (Basswood and Versatool - Both shown in the prompt image above). Walnut Hollow is incredible to work with, and it is clear they really care about their customers and community. Go check them out and all of their other offerings at walnuthollow.com.

If you would like to see what I specifically recommend on their website, head to the Wood Burn Corner section on walnuthollow.com.

DID I MENTION….. if you want a shot at winning a G I V E A W A Y box full of goodies from Walnut Hollow and a signed copy of my book, The Wood Burn Book, be sure to share this the official prompts image (above) on Instagram (or share our post) using #burntoctober and mentioning both your host @woodburncorner and our sponsor @walnuthollow before October 1st. And you will have another chance to win more goodies at the end of the month.

Cant wait to see what you aLL create.

happy burning!

Check out past Burnt Month Challenges here

Check out the Burnt October Sponsor’s Website, walnuthollow.com here

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Featured Artists for Burnt October 2021

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Sanding Your Wood: Before and After You Burn + Prepping Wood Surfaces for Pyrography

Sanding, like it or hate it, is a part of being a wood burning artist. Sanding your wood before and after you burn can make your entire piece and your burn lines crisper.

A smooth wood surface will help you create a smoother, better burn. It is worth the time it takes to make it smooth, trust us.

There are some things you can do to make the job a little easier on yourself. See the steps below to getting the perfect surface to burn on:

Prepare the workspace

Place the wood slice on a flat and stable surface that won't move during sanding. You may want to clamp it down to keep it steady.

SAFETY FIRST!

Make sure you are in a well ventilated space, have an air purifier if sharing the space and you are wearing proper safety equipment. Something to protect your eyes and your lungs. Do it every time. The last thing you want is for your art to cause you harm. Protect yourself!

My favourite mask to use for everything I do with pyrography is RZ Mask. The M2 model is the one I started with. It fits with my top pun or pony tail but they have an M3 model now which has a three-way strap so you can wear it with any hair style or head shape AND it comes in many different colours! They all have activated carbon filters which are replaceable and the mesh mask shell and valves are washable and reusable. They are comfortable, breathable and are 99% efficient against particulates down to 0.1 microns in size.

Choose the right sandpaper

The type of sandpaper you use will depend on how rough the surface of the wood slice is. If it is really rough, start with a coarse grit sandpaper (60-80 grit) and gradually move to a finer grit (120-150 grit, then 320, then 400+) for a smoother finish.

I love THIS bundle from amazon. It comes with a variety if you want to try it out on the wood you have. Some woods need more TLC and others come already very smooth.

If it’s already kinda smooth, but you feel fluff or some soft bumps, start at a 220 or 320 grit.

Understanding Grit:

In the US, grit is determined based on a scale. When shopping for sandpaper, you’ll see numbers such as 80-grit, 100-grit, or 200-grit. Keep in mind:

• The higher the number, the smaller the grains and the finer the sandpaper grit.

• The lower numbers indicate larger grains and overall coarser sandpaper

Generally you want to start out with a lower grit (coarser sandpaper). This helps to get rid of any larger scuffs, scratch marks, bumps and/or irregularities. Then you will want to increase the grit and finish off with a finer, more gentle sandpaper to get that ultra smooth finish.

Always sand with the grain of the wood, not against

Sand your pieces before you do any wood burning to ensure clean and crisp lines. A smooth surface will be much easier to burn on, and will create a better result.

Begin sanding the wood slice using the coarse grit sandpaper. Work in the direction of the grain and use a back-and-forth motion. Sand any rough spots until they are smooth.

Once you've sanded the rough spots with the coarse sandpaper, switch to a finer grit sandpaper. Continue sanding until the surface is smooth and free of any scratches.

Finish with the finest grit for the ultimate smoothness

For an extra-smooth finish, use the finest grit sandpaper (320 grit) to sand the surface once more at the end. This will remove any remaining scratches and leave the surface with a smooth texture.

Clean the surface

Wipe off any dust and debris from the wood slice with a clean microfiber cloth (an old dry toothbrush helps to get into the cracks if the cloth cannot). You can also use an air compressor to get rid of any dust. Be careful to not get too close to the bark on a live edge wood slice. The strong air may remove delicate bark pieces and can come off. If you don’t have access to an air compressor, use a brush to sweep of the dust or, better yet, use a bristle attachment on a vacuum to safely capture the dust.

Sanding Tools

Please note these are Amazon Affiliate links. We only share items that we have used and love!

In the video below, I used:

RZ Mask: RZ Mask rocks! My first mask was the M2 but i also like the M3 as it has 3 different straps settings so you can choose which fit you like best. They have loads of different styles and sizes to choose from!

Dewalt Orbit Sander

Course Sandpaper: 80-100 grit and Fine Grit Sandpaper: 320 grit (here is a good variety pack!)

Sanding after you wood burn a piece

Sanding a piece after you burn removes any tracing lines as well as “overburn.” (Overburn, as you can see here on the left) is when you have a browning coloration right next to your burn line on the surface). Sanding your piece after you burn it gives your piece crisper and finer lines.

Use a 220-grit or 320-grit sandpaper (the finer the better) and remember to be super gentle when sanding at this stage, especially if you don’t burn very deep.

If you have any shading or surface burn lines, they may come off, so really; go light and slow here.

Watch how I sand my wood slices before I burn on them!

more Fun tips and tricks

Sanding sponge versus sanding block:

Since sponges form to your hand, a block sand paper will allow you to put in less effort and ensures you are sanding flat and not creating any divots. Try wrapping a sandpaper sheet to a scrap wood if you don’t have a pre-made sanding block (use a tube or pvc pipe instead of a block for contoured wood pieces)

Sanding power tools:

These come in handy! Especially if you prefer to sand your pieces in “batch work” style, meaning you sand a whole bunch all at once. I recommend this, because it is a time saver. You only have to get dirty once, you only have to pull out the tools once, and clean up the mess once. Then you have a stack of ready to go canvases. It’s awesome. To learn more about this tool and how the community uses it, join in on the conversation in The Burn Club (find the exact conversation i the Burning Questions channel here)

The Wood Burn Community Book of Templates

This book is a dream realized: a pyrography book of templates created by our community for the community.

This book of templates is a beautiful collection of designs for artists at all stages from our incredibly talented and diverse community.

The Wood Burn Community Book of Templates features pyrography design patterns created by the community for the community. It showcases 57 original templates from 34 wood burning artists from around the globe, with the intention of helping artists of all skill levels past, present, and future to hone their craft, try new styles, and make beautiful art through collaboration. This collection of designs include mandalas, florals, animals, nature pieces, frames, and more.

Check out #thewoodburncommunitybook on instagram to view completed projects!

Every one-of-a-kind piece of art you create from these community templates is a collaboration! Each design can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways.

The artists featured in the template book are below. Please click the links and give them a follow!

@woodburncorner

@RiverValleyPyro

@OdinaWoodArt

@prettyful.creations

@sweetpeachburns

@kraftinwithkate

@BlindLove.WoodBurning

@Rankie_Doodles

@knotsandembers

@squeakys_cauldron

@daniellesabroad

@finelinepyro

@The.Wandering.Pyro

@StingReaStudios

@BurnedByBri

@itsdavidandrenee

@Mysticwoodburns

@mosstangle

@mapleandfernco

@ArtByMahealani

@onecreativebee

@birchplease_creations

@Csharpcreations

@jaytref

@ThimbleWhim

@brandyroels

@ShinautDesignsLLC

@ReSaArtHouse

@Pyropaintpatterns

@SheMakes.Art

@iissalissa

@BurnedByRenee

@Calisanja

@bonidutch

Rachel Strauss, author of The Wood Burn Book, founder of Burn Club and Wood Burn Corner, also includes a basic wood burning quickstart guide, and provides you with a list of essential materials needed for pyrography. She offers information on getting involved in the community, before presenting you with a feast of artwork, each begging to become your next creation!

Want more patterns?

Check out all the TEMPLATE books or VISIT the templates store full of individual patterns for sale

Looking for Rachel’s first book; The Wood Burn Book?

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10 Pyrography Book Recommendations

There are so many pyrography books out there and it can be difficult to choose which to own. Well, lucky for you, I have gone through almost all of them (seriously, I own over 20 pyrography books!) and have picked out my top ten favorite pyrography books.

When I set out to write my book, The Wood Burn Book, I knew I wanted something that was different. My style of pyrography didn’t feel like the rest of the books out there. I wanted something that fit my style. Something that felt fresh, clean, modern, and jam packed full of the best information. I wanted something that involved our awesome community. I wanted to showcase the versatility of pyrography and the infinite number of ways you can use it. I wanted to give the reader all the information they need to create beautiful pieces of art from wood and burner to literal finish, and I am beyond proud of the finished product. The Wood Burn Book truly is an essential guide to pyrography, and I hope you pick yourself up a copy.

You should also check out The Wood Burn Community Book of Templates Series. This gem includes over 50 designs from 34 different pyrographers for you to practice your pyro skills with patterns you will actually enjoy burning!

While The Wood Burn Book is my favorite pyrography book, I also have many others that I think are fabulous for people wanting to learn this craft. Introducing my list of Top Ten Pyrography Books. *These are Amazon Affiliate links, and they will take you directly to Amazon where you can purchase them

Top 10 Pyrography Books:

1. The Wood Burn Book - Rachel Strauss

2. Drawing with Fire - Aney Carver

3. Yearn to Burn - Simon Easton

4. Art and Craft of Pyrography - Lora S. Irish

5. Woodburning Realistic Animals - Minisa Robinson

6. Pyrography Workbook a Complete Guide - Sue Walters

7. Learn to Burn a Step by Step Guide - Simon Easton

8. Creative Woodburning - Bee Locke

9. WoodBurning Projects and Patterns For Beginners - Minisa Robinson

10. Big Book of Pyrography - Pyrography Magazine

If I could only choose 3, I would go with: The Wood Burn Book - Rachel Strauss, Creative Woodburning - Bee Locke and Woodburning Realistic Animals - Minisa Robinson but you really can’t go wrong with any of the books listed above.

11 Runner Ups:

1. Pyrography Basics - Lora S. Irish

2. The Little Book of Pyrography - Lora S. Irish

3. Woodburning Realistic People - Jo Schwartz

4. Pyrography Patterns - Sue Walters

5. Woodburning Project and Pattern Treasury - Deborah Pompano

6. Landscape Pyrography Techniques and Projects - Lora S. Irish

7. Solid-Point Pyrogpraphy - Lisa Shackleton

8. Pyrography - 18 Step-by-step Projects to Make - Bob Neill

9. Great Book of Woodburning - Lora S. Irish

10. The Wood Burning Community Book of Templates - Rachel Strauss and Basia Chmielowiec

If you buy any books from these awesome authors, make sure to leave them a review, and happy burning!

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WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WOOD BURNING AND IMPROVE PYROGRAPHY SKILLS?

Grow with the community: Join Burn Club, a place where you can ask questions, and get the full answers, a place of fun and learning (just scroll to the bottom)

Interview with Peggy Dean of The Pigeon Letters

This interview with Peggy Dean of @thepigeonletters covers so many different topics. Peggy Dean is a powerhouse, and I am so excited for you to learn from her. If you aren't in her membership service, The Flock, following her on social, own any of her books, or learn from her dozens and dozens of classes on Skillshare, you are missing out! This is a woman who believes in the power of community and information sharing, and she doesn't hold anything back in this interview. I hope you enjoy.

This interview was created for Burn Club+ in 2020, and was just now released to the public.

Grow with the community and get first access to interviews, exclusive tutorials and lessons by joining Burn Club+, a place where you can ask questions, and get the full answers, a place of fun and learning.

The Wood Burn Box: A Starter Kit for Beginners

Wouldn’t it be nice to just get a package containing everything you need to dive into the art of pyrography??

With this box, there is no wondering if this is the right pyrography pen. No waffling over what types of wood you should buy. No need to do google search deep dives into wood burning necessities.

The Wood Burn Box is THE complete starter kit.

I have taken all the guess work out of starting this fun hobby with this box. Wood burning is such a relaxing and calming hobby, but finding the right tools can be difficult.

You get to dive right in with this Starter Kit, right when you open the box.

This is so much more than just a Starter Wood Burning Kit, it is also a wood sample pack (5 varieties of wood) and instructional guide.

Over the past 10 years of practicing pyrography, I have found the best tools, woods, suppliers, and techniques so you don’t have to go through all the pain, time, money and frustration that goes into guessing. Not only do you get set up with the right tools, and instruction with this kit, but you also get the information you need to obtain more supplies.

This is the box I wish existed when I started wood burning.

What’s included?

• Instructions

• Original WBC designs for practice

• Walnut Hollow Versa Tool wood burner tool

• 5 different types of my favorite wood to burn

• Embossing tools

• Tombow sand eraser

• Graphite paper

• Washi tape

• Sanding block

• Brass brush

**At this time the box is out of stock**

In order to help guide you on the tools and materials you need, we have created a DIY box which provides all the links and RESOURCES to make your own pyrography kit.

So what Else can I make with this BOX?

The starter kit comes with designs you can use to practice. Once you’ve gotten your feet wet, make sure to check out The Burn Blog which has project ideas such as

• adorable Mini Fridge Magnets

• Custom Canvas Backpack

• Poppy Wall Art Project with free patterns and designs

• FREE tutorials and online classes to make your own wood slice art pieces

• tons of inspiration

and much more so stay tuned as new project ideas and pyrography information are being added regularly!

Customer Reviews

The Crafters Box - Crafting Done Right

The Crafters Box is an amazing small business run by female entrepreneurs that support handmade makers. It is a service where they provide AMAZING, high-end, slow-craft kits with accompanying videos by experts to teach the new and interesting crafts, like pyrography.

I was tapped to do an introduction to a wood burning class, and you can find it and the add-on wood items here. The quality of materials The Crafters Box uses is so good. Everything is well thought out, and their attention to detail shows.

There are also so many incredible crafts to try. I, myself have tried my hand at spoon carving, geometric painting, color-blocked landscapes, quilling, and a couple others…

Use this link, and check out all the amazing classes The Crafter’s Box has to offer.

These kits and classes are crafting done right! I know you will enjoy them as much as I have been enjoying them.

Check out all that The Crafter’s Box has to offer here.

How To Transfer Designs To Wood Without Using Heat

If you want to learn all the ways we transfer designs to wood, check out The Wood Burn Book by Rachel Strauss.

To get started with a design, grab one of our free templates, check out our template books or visit the templates store!

top 3 ways to easily transfer an image onto wood

1.GRAPHITE

• Graphite Paper

• Washi Tape

• Trasnferring tool: Pen or pencil or an Embossing tool

***Note: you may come across carbon paper which looks the same and transfers the same. Carbon is much harder to get off of the wood after the transfer so stick to graphite when you can!

You can also get White Graphite

• Use the same technique for darker woods, like walnut. The darker the wood is, the better this method shows up!

PRO’s: You only need graphite paper, a design, tape and a pencil. Low cost, easy to use and does a great job transferring even detailed designs. Graphite paper can be reused numerous times, and your designs can be used again as well.

CON’s: Graphite doesn’t remove easily on wood, so you have to be really careful with the transferring (don’t press too hard). Accidental smudges can happen easily. Store graphite separately from wood to make sure they don’t rub together. If you do get any smudges or leftover graphite, there is a chance you can save it by giving it a gentle sand with a 180 to 220 grit sandpaper (a finer grit sandpaper). Here are some other ways to remove leftover lines from transferring or drawing your design.

How to transfer using graphite:

1. After you’ve chosen a design and sized it to your sanded down wood slice; line it up and secure it using tape.

2. Slide the graphite paper, dark side facing the wood, underneath the design.

3. Take your pencil/pen/embossing tool and follow your design lines using light-medium pressure. Ensure you follow the design lines as closely as possible.

4. Check on the progress of your design, but do not move around or remove the design until you check to make sure it has completely transferred.

This video below features a Woodland Snail Template by Maria Johnson maple & Fern Co. from The Community Book of Templates, Volume 2. I used transfer paper to omit having to cut up the book or print anything and just traced it right off of the page!

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2. BLUE CHACO PAPER

• Blue Chaco (there are many different colors to choose from, blue is the darkest)

• Trasnferring tool: Pen or pencil or an Embossing tool

PRO’s: Transfers easily like graphite paper, easily removes with damp cloth. Doesn’t stain/scar wood. Can be removed entirely.

CON’s: Be careful not to use too much water. It rubs off really easily, so it is not great for long-term use or too much detail as it can rub off with your hand. Also, since it blue in colour, it’s little harder to see on the wood if your wood is light.

This is a special paper with blue chalk on it. It transfers much like graphite paper, but erases with just a damp cloth.

How to transfer using ChACO paper:

1. Tape your design onto your wood, face up.

2. Slide the blue Chaco paper underneath with the blue side facing the wood.

3. Follow your design lines using an embossing tool or a ballpoint pen.

4. Check on progress of transfer, and remove design and chaco paper when everything has transferred Can be used for woodburning.

5. After wood burning is complete, you can remove the excess chaco markings with a damp cloth.

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3. Pencil on Paper

We like to use the Tombow Pencils $9 (6 pack) or Ticonderoga Pencils $5 (12 pack) but any pencil will do; the softer the lead, the better (ie. 10B is better to use versus a 2B or any H’s)

PRO’s: It doesn’t require any fancy tools. It works well, and makes for a nice transfer. Works well for fonts and most designs.

CON’s: Time consuming, messy and can have some missing spots. Not great for really fine detailed pieces.

1. Take your design and flip it over

2. Blacken/shade the entire backside of your design with an extra-soft pencil, or any line that you will want transferred. Go past the lines on either side, to give yourself some wiggle room when you do the actual transfer.

3. Flip it back over, with the blackened side down, and carefully place and secure it to the wood slice. You don’t want to rub or move it around too much, because it will rub onto the wood.

4. Take your pen/pencil/embossing tool and go over the design with a light to medium pressure. Follow your lines as closely as possible. The more precise your transfer, the better your design will look.

5. Ensure you have completed the transfer before removing the design.

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Click Here to see the instructions on how to transfer your image using heat.

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A Brief History of Pyrography

Pyrography is one of the oldest human art forms. As long as humans have been taming fire, they have been drawing with it. It used to be called “pokerwork” before the term pyrography came to be.

Pyrography has a long and varied history.

In a nutshell: It is thought to have originated in Egypt, where it was used to decorate pottery and furniture. The practice then spread to Europe, where it was used to decorate furniture, musical instruments, and other items. In the 19th century, the art form saw a resurgence in popularity and was used to decorate a variety of items. In modern times, pyrography has become a popular art form and is used to create detailed and intricate designs. Today, pyrography is used to decorate furniture, musical instruments, kitchenware, and more.

Antique Circa 1890 Flemish Art Co. Pyrography Maiden Wood Wall Hanging Plaque

The history of pyrography: Wikipedia tells us that the process has been practiced by a number of cultures including the Egyptians and some African tribes since the dawn of recorded history. Pyrographer Robert Boyer hypothesizes that the art form dates back to prehistory when early humans created designs using the charred remains of their fires.

Pyrography artists in the middle ages used newly invented portable wood stoves as a heat source. These stoves had small holes in their lids for pokers to be placed through. The pokers rested in the holes and heated over the coals of the stove until they were hot enough to use. Artists would carry several pokers (needles and knives were also used) with them at all times so they could continue working while other pokers heated.

It was known in China from the time of the Han dynasty, where it was known as "Fire Needle Embroidery". During the Victorian era, the invention of pyrography machines sparked a widespread interest in the craft, and it was at this time that the term "pyrography" was coined (previously the name "pokerwork" had been most widely used).

The term, pyrography, means "writing with fire", from the Greek pur (fire) and graphos (writing). It can be practiced using specialized modern pyrography tools, or using a metal implement heated in a fire, or even sunlight concentrated with a magnifying lens.

Surviving examples of Western European pyrography from the 15th and 16th centuries include decorative designs on musical instruments such as the Trinity and Queen Mary harps and richly ornamented chests, coffers and panels from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Queen Mary harp currently resides in Scotland and the Trinity harp in Ireland. The pyrographic designs are faint and the pigments faded.

According to SophieNBurg, museum and archives, A mechanical tool was invented around 1900 that made the creation of pyrography art easier. In the early 20th century, the development of the electric pyrographic hot wire wood etching machine further automated the pokerwork process.

The craft of pyrography enjoyed a surge of popularity in the United States from the 1880s to the 1920s. Housewives and young adults were encouraged to keep their hands busy and make small craft projects to beautify their homes. Books and magazines published designs and patterns. Kits were available through mail-order catalogues like Sears, Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery-Ward. Pyrography is a traditional folk art in many parts of Europe, including Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Flanders, as well as Argentina and other areas in South America.

It has been gaining traction and becoming more mainstream these past couple of years, and that is all thanks to the incredibly relaxing qualities that pyrography naturally has and you all! Keep spreading the word about the wonderful world of Pyrography!

New to pyrography?

Check out this blog post:

Start Here if you are NEW to Wood Burning

Transferring and Burning Your Children's Artwork

Parents are always looking for a way to preserve their children's art. I personally think woodburning is the best way to do that. It's a great keepsake, it makes for a great personalized gift, and it's so much fun to do with kids.

Kids of all ages can participate in this collaboration. You could use a tracing of a babies hand or foot print you can use the scribbles of a toddler or the self portrait of an eight-year-old. You can use original art drawn directly on the wood piece itself or transfer a treasured drawing that the child has already created.

These techniques also work for lettering, hand written recipes, love notes, you name it! Pyrography is such a great way to preserve those memories.

Let's talk about supplies. You don't need many supplies or expensive equipment in order to create a beautiful piece of art that you can cherish forever.

What you will need:

• A drawing or design

• Wood (unfinished, dried, sanded smooth)

• Burner (I used a Walnut Hollow Versatool and recommend it as a starting point. Head over to the following blog post: What Tool Is Right for Me, if you want to learn about a variety of pyro tools, uses and price points for each.)

• Sand Paper Sponge or Paper

• Graphite Paper

• Tape

• Embossing Tool (or pen or pencil)

• Tombow Sand Eraser

• Markers or other medium to add colour (optional - check out: Alternative Mediums to use with Pyrography)

• Safety Equipment (click here for the safety guide)

Instructions:

Step 1.

Choose your design or have your child draw the design directly onto the piece of wood. Make sure that your wood is sanded smooth, clean, dried, and unfinished.

Check out this blog post on: Prepping Wood Surfaces for Wood Burning.

Step 2.

Place your design on your wood (make sure it is right where you want it) and tape down on one side (two if it's a large design). Make sure it can’t wigggle around.

Step 3.

Slide your graphite paper with the black/darker side facing the wood underneath your design.

Step 4.

Use your embossing tool or a pencil to trace your design using light to medium pressure. Test out a small line and peek under the design without moving it to ensure you can see it and that it not too dark, otherwise it is hard to get off.

Do not move around the design once you started transferring. I like to lift it from time to time to ensure it looks good, but I do so with great care in keeping it in the exact same spot.

The more accurate you are with the transfer, the better your burn will be.

Make sure you transferred everything before you remove your design and graphite paper.

Step 5.

Ensure you are in a well ventilated space, and don any safety equipment. Check out my FREE Safety guide here. Do remind children of the dangers of a hot tool.

Warm up your burner, and get started. Some children may be old enough to do the burning with adult supervision. Kids and adults, no matter the age, will get a kick out of watching the wood burn take shape, just do it safely.

Step 6.

Carefully wood burn the art by simply following your transferred lines. Go slowly. Let the burner do the work. Glide along the surface. When you're finish you can remove any remaining graphite lines with a quick sand with some sandpaper or a Tombow sand eraser.

For more tricks and tips, check out: The Pyrography Troubleshooting Guide

Step 7.

Optional, add a finish or let the child artist finish off their masterpiece with some watercolor or markers. Check out this blog post on adding watercolor to wood for tricks and tips or Alternative Mediums to use with Pyrography for even more ideas!

Step 8.

Add a picture hanger to the back and hang it on your wall to enjoy for years to come.

Be sure to share about your project with your kiddo or the finished masterpiece on instagram and/or Pinterest and tag us @woodburncorner. We would love to see it! You can also find this full project and others in The Wood Burn Book.

Want to watch a video of this process instead?

Click Here to watch the process of me burning my children’s artwork for a Micheal’s class.

Want one of our artists to make the art for you?

Burn Club+ is a global community of artists who specialize in handmade wood burned art! When you place an order, you are directly supporting these independent creators, with 100% of the proceeds going to them.

10 Reasons to Hire a Business Coach

A business coach provides valuable expertise and knowledge in various areas of business, holds entrepreneurs accountable for their goals and actions, and provides an objective perspective on business challenges. Additionally, a business coach can offer emotional support and encouragement to help entrepreneurs stay motivated and focused, while also fostering personal development to improve communication, time management, and leadership abilities.

I have hired a bussiness coach and experienced the major benefits of doing so, and I have personally helped artist entrepreneurs achieve their goals, overcome obstacles, and saw first hand how their businesses grew in a more efficient and effective way.

Hiring a business coach can be a valuable investment for entrepreneurs for several reasons:

1. Accountability

There is nothing quite like paying a coach to check in on you to help motivate you towards achieving your goals. Having someone hold you accountable is one of the best things you can do for your business.

When you tell your coach, “My goals are to make two videos this week,” you will be much more likely to actually do them. Accountability is huge for making steps towards your larger picture goals. Your coach should not only help motivate you to accomplish tasks, but ensure you are focusing your efforts on the right tasks that will work towards achieving your goals. Knowing that your coach is going to check in on you and your progress is quite motivational.

2. Invest in Your Business

When you invest in your business by getting a coach, you should be hiring someone who you trust and who will in turn invest in you. When you and your business succeed, it means your mentor is also succeeding. It’s such a fantastic mutualistic relationship.

Having dedicated time to talk about you, your business, your successes, your failures, your worries, your pain points, and your ideas makes ALL the difference.

When you invest real money and time in yourself and your business, the results will show. I invest in coaching monthly, and see first-hand how it has benefitted me, my life, and my business. It is one of the best things I have done for my business, and I know my coaching clients feel the same.

3. Motivation

A coach will not only provide you with accountability, but they should inspire and motivate you to go after your biggest dreams and goals. They are your cheerleader. Your wins are theirs, and it should be clear they want you to succeed. They will help you break down the barriers to your success, and help you relinquish your fears.

Your coach should be able to help you break down your biggest dreams into tangible, attainable, and specific steps. The simple act of talking about goal setting with someone for a dedicated period of time will motivate you in ways you never imagined. Preparing for a coaching call is motivating, too. I always come to my own coaching sessions prepared with a list of questions, pain points, ideas, etc so the time with my coach is well spent. Every time you have contact with your coach it should and will feel motivating, because they are your motivator. They will help keep the fire lit, and the energy focused.

4. Dedicated Time to Talk Business

Coaching time is dedicated time where someone you trust and respect is spending their energy and focus on you, your business, and your success. It almost feels like therapy.

So much mental energy, time, and love goes into owning and operating a small business. Having someone that you pay for dedicated time to discuss your business will help you see it from an outside perspective. Their knowledge will help you find focus, help you grow, solve problems, and learn faster. Coaches are like cheat codes.

5. Focus Efforts

This is one of the best things that a coach can provide. Being able to sit down with a coach, talk about your dream life, and sort out ways to achieve it is so much fun and so valuable.

Without focusing your efforts, you will find yourself being pulled in all the different directions owning a business will pull you, but aimlessly. Having defined, well thought out, specific goals that lead up to your big picture goal will ensure that your time that you are spending on your business is focused time, and time well spent. This is what good coaches can do, and something I specialize in.

A coach provides that outside perspective to help their client not only identify but accomplish their goals.

6. Optimize Business and Life

A good coach won’t just provide you with sound business advice, but they will also help with other aspects of life. You are hopefully coming to them not just for their business skill set. They should have tools to help organize, and optimize your life, too. Because work is affected by life, and vice versa. They are not mutually exclusive.

In order to have a successful business, there are some practices you can put in place to free up time, and mental space to succeed in business. For instance, batch working, time blocking, 3 things, goal setting, to-do lists, ta-da lists, and so much more. A coach should be offering you great advice regardless of the topic and it should all be specific to you.

I personally read an unhealthy number of self-help books and have implemented them in my own life. I have found success with many things I have read in them. I bring that advice into my coaching sessions, because you need life to allow for you to have the mental space, time, and energy to work on business. Coaching is so much more than just business advice.

7. Outside Honest Perspective

If you are looking for an honest perspective from an outside source, a coach is a fantastic choice. They are on your team, are knowledgeable, and willing to share their knowledge, but most importantly want to see you succeed. A good coach should be able to motivate you and also provide honest and constructive feedback to improve your business and get you closer to your goals.

Remember when they are giving you constructive criticism it is because they have your best interest at heart. They want to see you succeed.

8. Earn More

If you want to earn more money sometimes you need to spend it. Your business should grow with a coach, and so should your income. That is the goal, after all. Yes, a business coach should help you feel good about your business, and help you create an authentic business for your specific voice, but the bottom line is they should also be helping your bottom line.

It can be a simple suggestion on scheduling, a tactic for accomplishing tasks, a specific tip about Pinterest, connections to other people/businesses, or one of the other myriad of ways a coach will help you grow financially.

9. Talking One-On-One with an Expert

This is HUGE. They have done it before. They know what to expect. You can learn so much faster the proper ways to do things from someone who has already done it, then trying to figure it out for yourself. This is also why I am a huge fan of information sharing. We are all better when we help each other out. #communityovercompetition.

Getting the opportunity to talk in a focused manner about your specific business and your specific problems can solve so many issues, answer so many unknowns, and help guide you to making good choices for your business. A good coach will do their research into you, and your business. They will listen to your needs, questions, worries, and goals and cater their coaching to you.

I like to have my new coaching clients fill out a survey so I can get to know them better, their goals, and make sure I am the right fit for them before I take them on as a client.

10. Grow Faster

If you want to grow faster, and make fewer mistakes in the process, a coach is for you. A coach will save you time and money. They will help guide your decisions to help you grow towards your dream, and provide feedback along the way. Your success is also theirs.

Coaching is one of the best things I have done for my business to date. I have seen my growth in myself, personally, in my business processes, in my numbers, in my motivation, and in my pride when it comes to my business. I am not just working without a clear goal as to why, I am now working with purpose and intention.

Book Recommendations for Creative Businesses

Most of what I have learned in business has been through trial and error and through reading.

I think a lot of finding success has to do with mindset and habits. I read and listen to a lot of self-help books that I think will benefit me and/or my business. I enjoy the process of optimizing my life.

Here are a few of my personal favorites that have had the biggest impacts on me, my life, and my business. These are Amazon links, and I receive a small portion if you choose to purchase yourself a copy, and I HIGHLY recommend you do! These books are fantastic.

My top 12 Book Recommendations for Creative Businesses:

The 5-Second Rule - Mel Robbins

"The 5-Second Rule" by Mel Robbins offers a simple, actionable tool to combat procrastination and instigate change: counting backward from 5 to 1 to trigger action. The book combines personal anecdotes and scientific backing to show the rule's effectiveness in various life aspects. While some may find it too anecdotal, its core strength lies in its straightforward, motivational approach. It's a quick read that emphasizes immediate action to improve one’s life, making it a practical guide for those seeking to break the cycle of hesitation and fear.

Why I like it: It’s a super simple premise, but a really valuable tool. If you learn well with anecdotes, this book is for you.

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Unfu*k Yourself - Gary John Bishop

"Unfu*k Yourself" by Gary John Bishop is a straightforward self-help book that pushes readers to overcome self-imposed barriers and take charge of their lives. Through seven key assertions, Bishop advocates for personal accountability and action with a direct, no-nonsense tone. The book's strength lies in its clear, motivational message, although it may oversimplify complex personal development concepts. Overall, it's a compelling call to action for those ready to challenge their mindset and make significant changes.

Why I like it: Best listened to, because the author’s voice and tone is fantastic. A great book to cut through the BS. A good listen when you need a kick in the pants.

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Artists Way - Julia Cameron

"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron is a guide to unlocking creativity through a 12-week program of exercises and self-exploration. Its core practices, morning pages, and artist's dates, aim to overcome creative blocks and nurture artistic expression. While its spiritual approach may not suit everyone, its widespread acclaim and effectiveness in fostering creativity make it a seminal work in personal development and artistic empowerment.

Why I like it: By far the book that has changed my life the most for the better. It is an intense 12 week course, really, and best done with creative friends, or friends who want to be more creative. Check out a sneak peek at Basia’s Journey here.

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You are a Badass - Jen Sincero

"You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero is a self-help book that combines humor, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to inspire readers to improve their lives and achieve their goals. Sincero emphasizes self-love, financial acumen, and a positive mindset, urging readers to identify and overcome the limiting beliefs that hold them back. With a conversational and sometimes irreverent tone, the book aims to motivate and empower individuals to take control of their lives and pursue success. It's known for its straightforward, relatable guidance and empowering messages, making it popular among those looking for a boost of confidence and actionable strategies for personal development.

Why I like it: I love this author. She does a great job at giving you valuable information and simultaneously lights a fire. She will make you feel like a BOSS.

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You are a Badass at Making Money - Jen Sincero - Money and money talk is very taboo. Not many people talk about it, or the mindset of getting more of it. This book is a deep dive into money mindsets.

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Daring Greatly - Brené Brown - Anything by Brene Brown is going to be valuable for you as a person and for your business. This book is a must read.

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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey - Effective is the operative word here. I recommend a physical copy. You will want to take notes.

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The Gifts of Imperfection - Brené Brown - Another fantastic book by Brene Brown. This woman is a wealth of knowledge. She makes you think and uses real science to back up her claims. Also listen to her podcast, it’s so very good.

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Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon - Every creative person should read this book. It is a very quick read, but explains really well how there are no original ideas, and every artist steals from the world around them. 10/10 highly recommend.

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Contagious - Jonah Berger - OOOOOO. If you want to know why things catch on, or “go viral” this book explains the many marketing tools businesses can use to get their work in front of more eyes and have it be memorable. Sparked 2 big ideas for me while reading it.

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4-hour Workweek - Timothy Ferriss - I have more dog ears on this book than any other. If you want to work less, make more, and live your dream life, this guy takes it to the extreme, but offers so many valuable bits of information.

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Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion - Robert B. Cialdini - Another incredible book. This one is more about the psychology of marketing, and how to make it work for you. It’s brilliant.

I know these will have a positive impact on you. If you read any of them and you find it helps, I would love to hear about it.

What books do you recommend?? What do I need to add to my list?

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Want to learn more about wood burning and boost your creative business??

Grow with the community: Join Burn Club, a place where you can ask questions, and get the full answers, a place of fun and learning (just scroll to the bottom)

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Favorite Odd Tools for Woodburning

These are some of our favourite tools to have nearby when creating pyrography projects of any kind. These are tools that are not necessarily essential, but sure feel essential to me. They make the task at hand easier, faster or simply just more convenient.

Tombow Sand Eraser

This is THE BEST tool that I have found to get rid of unwanted graphite markings. I first discovered this when I saw an ink artist using the eraser, and saw that it was called a “sand eraser,” so I wondered if it would work on wood, and it did! Now I see this eraser being using widely amongst pyros, and it makes me so happy I decided to experiment that day.

Watercolor Water Pens

This saves so much time with watercolor/gouache/acrylic. Instead of having to dip back in water, the water is held in the pen. It’s brilliant!!! It’s easy to adjust the amount of water too which is key to painting on wood. Too much water can split it… Always remember to burn first, and then add your color. CLICK HERE for more water-colour on wood tips.

Brass Brush

This is my go-to, must-have tool next to me while I burn. I use it to quickly and gently scrape away any char on my nib so I can keep a nice smooth burn. Some artists may think this is too harsh for their nibs, but I have had zero issues with scratching/damaging nibs with this technique. Look for something with softer bristles. Giving it a quick scrape keeps my lines clean and smooth. Highly recommend. CLICK HERE to learn more about maintaining and cleaning your tools.

Blue Chaco Paper

This stuff is a great alternative to graphite paper, and only requires a little damp cloth to wipe away. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it, and can be used over and over again just like graphite paper. You transfer it in the exact same way you do for a transfer or graphite paper, but any unwanted lines can be removed so much easier. (Check out How To Transfer Designs To Wood Without Using Heat).

Metal Ruler

Metal is key here, because you can use it to burn straight lines by cozying your burner right up next to the edge of the ruler. If you were to use plastic, you’d melt it, so be sure it is a metal ruler. It works really well to create nice straight lines, just be sure to hold it firmly in place and keep your fingers out of the way. Do not hold the ruler near where you are burning!

Pen Razor Blade

This is like having a magic eraser. Any over burned areas, or little mistakes you can gently chip them away with a razor blade and no one will ever know. Be careful though. Once. you chip it away, you won’t have a flat texture to burn on and the spot may be noticeable, especially if you go deep. Try gently scraping it first. On the other hand, getting the inverted texture is something you are looking for: it is great for creating fine hairs in detailed photorealistic pieces after you’ve burned it.

Needle Nose Pliers

This is so I can carefully change nibs while they are still warm. If you are impatient, like me, I suggest having a pair of these at the ready when you are burning. Also have a ceramic dish or glass jar/bowl to catch those hot nibs to go along with it. This is obviously not necessary, because you can always wait for your burner to cool before changing nibs by hand.

ceramic ring dish

This is where I ditch my hot nibs/tips when changing them out mid-burn. A glass or metal dish would work as well.

Sand Paper Pens or a tiny sanding stick

These sand paper pens/sticks are also great for those finer details, and little mistakes. No matter how good of a job I did on the burn, I can always tidy it up a bit with one of these bad boys. It only takes a little bit of time, but they clean up any piece to give it that polished look.

Wooden ball stylus dotting tool

I use this for transferring designs to wood (Check out How To Transfer Designs To Wood Without Using Heat). It allows me to use the same design over and over again.

Camera Holder (small and Large)

This is so I can film and photograph while I burn hands-free. It is much safer and creates better quality content.

I have one small holder that I attach to my desk for close ups. This is one I also take around with me because it is super portable and very very sturdy.

The larger one lives on my desk!

If you are a pyrographer that utilizes social media for marketing, then I can not recommend this enough. Hit that record button each time you sit down, and you will find yourself with so much great content that you can use.

What are your favorite odd tools for wood burning?

Check out this blog post for learning how to take care of all your wood burning tools.

Free Poppy Pattern for Wood Burning

This is a pattern that has a whole lot of meaning for me, and I am happy to share it with the world. The template, and complete instructions can be found in my book, The Wood Burn Book. You can also find the beginner class that I did for Michael’s using this design here, or check out this blog post on adding loose watercolor to wood using this poppy pattern as well! You also might recognize part of it from the #burntmay prompts as well. I have been able to take this one design and use it in so many different ways.

Poppies are my favorite flower. I love them. Their extreme orange color can’t be ignored, and I love that about them. They are hardy, and can grow just about anywhere, here in my home state of California. You will find them thriving in cracks in the sidewalk. It’s the coolest.

I grow them in my backyard. I have a poppy tattoo. I pop poppy top “hats” as we call them whenever I find a patch of poppies. I’ve trained my kids to do the same. I once cried over seeing poppies while heavily pregnant. I tried growing them while living in Boston 3 years in a row, and only ever saw one flower. I have always been fearful of picking them because they are the state flower of California, and schoolyard rumor had it that if you picked it you could go to jail. gasp I would never! I would stare at them through the fence of my elementary school field instead. I own 15-20 different pieces of poppy art in my home. I just think they are are magnificent, mysterious, bold, and unique.

This design has become one that I have used for teaching, for community building, in my book, and in my home.

Go check out the amazing pieces created by Burn Club+ community members with this design for the #bcpluschallenge on Instagram. Or check out the #thewoodburnbook to see other artist’s re-ceations. Sharing this design, and my love of poppies with the world has been awesome, and I can’t wait to see where my 4 poppies will take me, and you!

What can you make using this design? Post using #thewoodburnbook on your favorite platform, and tag @woodburncorner so I can see your take on it.

Not sure how to get these poppies onto your wood?

Check out the instructions on how to heat transfer an image onto your wood slice or how to transfer without having to use heat!

If you like this poppy template, you may be interested in how the radial symmetry poppy! Using my poppy template, Basia has created a mandala version. Check it out here. This is also a freebie you can download.

For more great templates to practice your pyrography skills with, check out The Wood Burn Commuity Book of Templates

Burnt March 2021

Burn challenges are a call to all artists to create a piece of artwork based on a specific word/prompt.

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who participated, liked, commented, shared, and enjoyed these prompts and the art that came out of #burntmarch. Thank you @walnuthollow our incredible sponsor, for supporting these artists and this challenge.

The art that was created, the connections that were made, the artistic growth that occurred, the sales, the encouragement shared, the creativity, the memories, and the stories that were shared this month have all been so much better and gone so much further than I could have ever imagined for this challenge. This community rocks!

Make sure to check out the hashtag #burntmarch - it’s like a free art gallery. Follow your favorites! Keep sharing and spreading the love.

Our winner for the giveaway of a big box of goodies from our sponsor, Walnut Hollow, and a signed copy of my book The Wood Burn Book, goes to @calisanja

Below are the featured artists for each prompt. Click on the image to get a closeup of all the gorgeous wood slice art!

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Thank you to all of you for joining in the fun. Can’t wait for the next one!

Check out more past challenges here!

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The Pinterest Toolkit for Creatives - A Deep Dive

This is your complete Toolkit in order to effectively utilize the free Pinterest platform.

get ready to take your business to the next level

People come to Pinterest with purpose, so they’re more engaged than on other platforms. Your target audience is here: as of december 2020, there are 459 million people using Pinterest every month (and growing). They’re here for new ideas, and they’re looking for brands like yours.

With the Pinterest Toolkit, you will learn everything you need to know to reach your target audience.

The Toolkit is self-guided. you can work at your own pace, on your own time, at your own speed, and in your own order. there are written lessons with tons of visuals, exercises, videos, as well as spreadsheet to track your progress so you can celebrate your growth!

what’s in the toolkit?

Once you are in, you always have access to the entire toolkit, and it’s updates (no more worrying about algorithm changes!).

Getting started: creating and/or converting your account, clarifying your business, and preparing/optimizing your website

Finding the best keywords: 4 tried and true tools to help you conduct real-time keyword searches, where to use them and why they are so important

Profile set up: creating a strong foundation for your account

Boards: understanding the importance of boards, board content and creating boards that reflect your business

Pins: creating the perfect pin from sizes to where you should be inserting keywords…

Creating content: a run-through of Canva with tips and tricks to help create great content

Custom strategy creation: from batch working to scheduling; learn how to create a strategy that is manageable and will drive results

Analyzing and adjusting: how to read the analytics and which ones to keep an eye on and a free spreadsheet to help you keep track!

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Looking for extra accountability and a professional review of your Pinterest account alongside the toolkit?

consider An audit add-on

Purchase the toolkit and you will receive a professional Pinterest account audit for 50% off the regular price!

(a total value of $475CAD)

If you purchase the toolkit, the audit does not expire. You can request a one hour account review consultation when you are ready.

We will discuss:

• Your implemented pinning and keyword strategy and make adjustments for functionality and efficiency

• Examine your keywords and suggest new ones

• Go over all your boards, organize, remove or suggest new ones and adjust titles and descriptions for optimal search-ability

• Analyze your pins; images, captions and descriptions and suggest ideas to make them more engaging and eye-catching

• You will have access to follow up e-mail support to address any extra questions

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lifetime access let’s you go at your own pace

24/7 access to course content - forever.

Free updates included

Canva run-through for creating stellar content

Website optimization

Custom strategy tactics

Analytics breakdown and downloadable tracker

wait, i’ve got some questions first…

I don’t have a ton of time. How much of a commitment is this toolkit?

I get it, running your own business takes a lot of time. I built this course with YOU, the busy entrepreneur, in mind. You can self-pace yourself through the content and go back and go over any content as many times as you like.

Can I buy the toolkit now and work on it later?

absolutely! this self-paced course is intended to be digested in small manageable sized chunks whenever you are ready to dive in!

Will this toolkit be useful for *insert you niche business here*

no matter what type of online business you run, i promise that if you put in the right efforts in the right spots, which i will guide you through every step of the way, Pinterest can work for you. Pinterest is a visual search engine. people use it to look for all sorts of things and discover new inspiring things along the way. no matter your business, the toolkit will lead you to build your own Pinterest strategy tailored to your product offering and audience.

I don’t have my website ready or actual product yet. Will I still benefit from the toolkit?

to kick off the course, i have created a couple exercises for you to complete in order to gain clarification in your business. because the course is self-guided, you can come back to it once you have everything in place and are ready.

You get to use the Toolkits in whatever way works best for you, your business, how you learn, and when. you hold the reins.

while the Toolkit puts everything at your fingertips, you will still have to put in the work to see the results, you just won't have to do it the long + confusing way.

invest in your business and yourself.

or

Pay two payments of $50: The Complete Pinterest Toolkit for Creatives - Split Payment

($50.00/month x 2):

Featured WBC Takeover Artist: Ala'a Dandan of adoodburning

Ala'a Dandan of adwoodburning

“I grew up learning about a nine-planet solar system. Pluto, former planet, currently dwarf planet 134340 has been through a lot. Like Pluto, I struggle with my identity. As a second generation Middle Eastern-American, I often find myself in an awkward cultural mesh in which my identity is obscured. Born and raised in the United States, my cultural identity is often erased and forgotten, just like Pluto. What was once a planet belonging to the system of the sun, is now but a number (134340), as I am merely a statistic. *This wood burning was inspired by @bts.bighitofficial song 134340 from the 2018 Love Yourself: Tear album. Please give it a listen. ‘You erased me, you forgot me’.'”

Follow Ala’a on Instagram

More about the Wood Burn Corner Platform Takeover

Featured WBC Takeover Artist: Krishna Mistry of Krishnas Canvas

Krishna Mistry of Krishnas Canvas

“Hello! I am Krishna from @KrishnasCanvas and I am a pyrography artist! I have been an artist all my life dabbling in so many art forms but I recently found my love of wood-burning in the past year. I wood-burn a lot of nature landscapes, pet portraits, animals, mandalas, and calligraphy pieces, but I am open to making so much more. I also love taking custom requests to make the unique piece that someone is looking for!

Check out my Instagram and Facebook to see more of my work and art process videos! I take custom requests through DMs!”

Follow Sarah on Instagram, Facebook and Etsy

More about the Wood Burn Corner Platform Takeover

Featured WBC Takeover Artist: Sarah Barnhart of My Dad And Me Every Day Ornaments

Sarah Barnhart of My Dad And Me Every Day Ornaments

“Hi, l’m Sarah B {she/her} I am a single mama to a beautiful and incredibly smart child, a maker of things with my dad @mydadandmeeverydayornaments, a movement teacher and student @goodbodyfeel and the founder of @mixedinhamilton, a space for mixed folks to share their unique perspectives and stories. As a Black biracial, queer woman, and mother, my intersecting identities inform my drive to do what I can to advocate for marginalized communities, amplify voices and create a bridge of knowledge and understanding on all of my platforms. I hope to carry some of the weight held for too long by so many, to take small steps towards making the world a better place.

My Dad and Me Everyday Ornaments, makes handmade, wood burned everyday ornaments and home decor. We created a project called Real Talk Blocks in collaboration with @prettygrit in Hamilton to address the importance of starting challenging conversations about racism, privilege and oppression present in systems of white supremacy, how we may be upholding these systems and ways in which we can start doing the life long work of dismantling these systems to help create a more equitable future. The idea that these conversations need to start at home and in our communities and from there can ripple out into the world to create lasting change. It may not be easy but it is necessary.

We are not professional anti-racist educators but we recognize the need for systemic change and the potential barriers standing in the way of these changes. Real Talk Blocks come with reflection questions included to get the tough conversations started.

Available online and in store at Pretty Grit Partial proceeds go to support the work at the {@hamiltoncivic} Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion.”

Follow Sarah on Instagram and www.mydadand.me

More about the Wood Burn Corner Platform Takeover