Creative Wood Burning Ideas

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably watching the holidays approach with their typical hastiness while you are still scrambling to find gifts for everyone on your list. Perhaps we should make it easy on ourselves this year and design our own gifts. It will, as the proverb says, “kill two birds with one stone.”  

Maybe we really can have it all!

You see, designing and creating our own gifts allows us to gift uniquely personalized items and enjoy a creative outlet at the same time. So, if you’re interested in trying out a new craft, won’t you join me as we delve into the world of wood-burning?

What Is Wood Burning?

In technical terms, this craft is called pyrography. This is a word formed from the Greek words, pur and graphos. Together these words produce the term ‘fire writing,’ which is a poetic way to say wood-burning.

This technique of etching words and pictures onto wooden planks has been around for millennia. Traces of this art form have been found dating back before recorded history. It has also been found in nearly every area of the world, including Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Wood Burning is an art that utilizes wires, metal tips, or any metallic object that can conduct heat to burn shapes, letters, or entire pictures onto pieces of wood. A beautiful thing about this art is that once you have acquired the necessary equipment, it is a very inexpensive hobby.  

Ideas to Try

Now that we have learned a little more about this awesome art form let’s look at some fun ways to use it.

Color Block Wall Art

This is a fabulous way to use your wood-burning skills. As a type of project that allows you to express yourself both in word, as well as in color and style, you can’t go wrong. Let’s talk about the supplies you’ll need and then walk through the process so you can decide if this is the sort of project you would like to try.

Supplies

• Acrylic craft paint
• Foam paintbrush
• Painter’s tape
• Pencil
• Woodburning tool
• Wooden letters

Steps

1. Use the painter’s tape to tape each letter diagonally. Set the letters in a row so you can make sure the part of the letters that will be painted will look good together.
2. Use the foam paintbrush to paint the lower section of the letters.
3. Allow the paint to dry. Remove the painter’s tape once it is completely dry.
4. Use the pencil to draw a pattern on the upper portion of the letters.
5. Heat up your wood-burning tool.
6. Test your Woodburning tool on scrap wood.
7. Use your Woodburning tool to burn over the pattern you drew with the pencil.
8. Use a white eraser to clean the wood of any leftover pencil marks.
9. Enjoy your finished project!

Personalized Cutting Board

This project is sure to be a winner when it comes time to do gift-giving these holidays. You can use your Woodburning tool and creativity to personalize these items as much or as little as you please. Let’s discuss what you need for this project:

Supplies

• Cutting board
• Pen
• Pencil
• Woodburning tool
• Your personal design, name, or slogan printed on a piece of paper

Steps

1. Place the paper with your design on it upside down on a table (blank side should be showing).
2. Rub the entire backside of the design with a pencil.
3. Turn the paper over so that the design is facing up and place it on the cutting board.
4. Use a pen to trace the design while the paper is resting on the cutting board.
5. Lift the paper off the cutting board (you should see a light outline of your design in pencil on the surface of the cutting board).
6. Use your Woodburning tool to trace the outline.

Note:  This technique can be done on any piece of wood.

Wood Burned Ornaments

This project is perfect when you need a lot of gifts for a group gathering. While this is geared toward the Christmas season, there’s no reason why you couldn’t make a design that suits other holidays or events. Here’s how to make them:

Supplies

• Pencil
• Round stencil
• Wood ornament
• Woodburning tool

Steps

1. Use a pencil and a round stencil to trace a circle onto the ornament (this should be set an inch from the ornament’s edge).
2. Use a pencil to write in the middle of the circle you just traced.
3. Heat up a flow point tip on your Woodburning tool to medium-high.
4. Use the heated Woodburning tool to trace the words and the circle you have stenciled onto the ornament.
5. Create leaves on the circle by pressing a shading tip around the circle.
6. Tie a ribbon or decorative string onto the ornament.

Note: It is recommended that you practice this project on scrap wood before trying it on your ornaments.

Block Coasters

When you need something for a housewarming gift, pull out this project and let your love and creativity flow freely. This is such a versatile project that you can make it for anyone. Let’s look at how to do so.

Supplies

• Pencil
• Ruler
• Woodburning tool
• Wooden coasters

Steps

1. Use the pencil and the ruler to draw your chosen design onto the surface of the wooden coasters.
2. Use a chisel tip on your Woodburning tool to burn along the penciled lines of your chosen design.

Note:  You can add color to your coasters by filling in some of the design with Promarker pens and applying a clear sealant on top.

Growth Chart

This is such a cute project that you may want to make one for your own kids once you have gifted your loved ones. It may be a little more complicated than some other projects, but it is so worth trying. Let’s give it a go:

Supplies

• Cloth for staining
• Foam brush for staining
• Hanging clip for the back of the chart
• Miter saw
• Pencil
• Piece of lumber (1” wide X 8” long)
• Ruler
• Sandpaper or sander to smooth the sides and edges
• Wood-burning tool
• Wood stain

Steps

1. Cut the board to size using the miter saw.
2. Use the ruler and the pencil to measure and mark the ruler marks.
3. Use the wood-burning tool to burn the outline of the penciled ruler marks.
4. Sand the sides and edges lightly.
5. Stain the board (test the stain in a small area before applying it to the entire chart).
6. Attach the hanging clip to the back of the chart.
7. Hang the chart on your wall.

Note: You can apply polyurethane after staining the chart to help protect the wood and the burn marks.

Recommended Wood Burners

If you don’t already own a wood burner, you will need to find one so that you can begin working on your projects.  Here are my top three product recommendations:

Hilogaxy Wood Burning Kit

This kit has nearly everything you need to get started with this craft.  With 125 items included in the kit, you should not need to purchase anything else.

Pros

• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this kit a 4.1-star rating
• Heats up quickly (15 to 20 seconds)
• Temperature ranges between 356 and 932 degrees Fahrenheit
• The pen includes an LCD screen that displays the temperature
• The pen is designed with a comfortable grip that provides protection from heat
• Comes with a 30-day return policy
• Includes 56 tips

Cons

• Customers have commented that the pen gets very hot and it is difficult to use without the gloves
• Customers have commented that this is a good kit for beginners but not for advanced crafters

Petuol Wood Burning Kit

This is a very versatile kit that is great for those just experimenting with pyrography and those who are experienced in this craft.

Pros

• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this kit a 4.3-star rating
• Includes 57 tips
• Comes with a carrying bag
• Includes stencils

Cons

• There are no safety features
• Some customers have commented that the instructions for replacing the tips are difficult to follow

Afantii Wood Burning Tool Set

This kit has all the basic pieces you’ll need to begin wood burning.  There is nothing fancy about it, but that makes it so much easier to use.

Pros

• As of the writing of this article, customers have given this kit a 4.5-star rating
• Heats and cools within 5 minutes
• Includes a carrying case
• Includes 23 tips

Cons

• Customers have commented that the pen does not keep a consistent temperature

Note: Each of the above recommendations was given because they met the following criteria:

• Customer ratings & reviews – each product had a 4-star rating
• Versatility – each product came with plenty of equipment so that they could complete any type of project

Recommended Equipment for Wood-burning

Along with a wood burner, those who are interested in this art form should purchase the following items:

Fan – you may appreciate something that can keep the air flowing in your workspace so that fumes do not become overwhelming.

Heat-Resistant Dish – a little dish that can hold warm Woodburner tips will come in handy as you remove and exchange them.  

Heat-Resistant Gloves – you should at least try to work with a pair of heat-resistant gloves since these will protect your hands from accidental burns. It may feel awkward at first, but take some time to get used to working with them because the trade-off is well worth it.  

Pliers – a pair of pliers will help you change out Woodburner tips without getting burnt.

Sandpaper – you should smooth out the wood you are working with before beginning your project. It is recommended that you begin with sandpaper that has a low grit number and move through several different grit numbers to get an adequately smooth work surface.

Wood Sealant – you should definitely apply a finish to your project once it is completed. A sealant will protect the areas that have been burnt and slow down the process of fading. Test the sealant that you have selected before applying it to the entirety of your project; you don’t want to apply something on top of your hard work that will destroy rather than preserve it.

FAQs

Concluding Thoughts

I love the idea of creating personalized gifts for the holidays. Who can resist an item that has been specifically made for them? When it comes to these wood-burning ideas, my personal opinion is that wood-burned ornaments are the best. I can picture myself working on these over long weekends and coming up with several designs for each person on my to-gift list.

Hopefully, this guide has given you some inspiration for how to prepare for the upcoming holidays or for any gift-giving time in your life. These are all great opportunities to show your creativity and your love for others.

If you have been inspired to create more gifts this year, you might find our articles on Amigurumi, Tumblers, and baby blankets helpful. Remember, Craft & Stitch is here to help you enjoy more crafting more often.  

Research Citations

Home BNC

My Modern Met

Pyrography World

Asking Lot 

Wood Turning Tips