Woodburning A Handcrafted Gift

You can create awesome gifts by woodburning designs that celebrate the recipient. The artwork you make can be based on personal interests such as collector themes, a favorite sport, professional status, or even something more personal. I have found that my pyrogaphics often become cherished treasures because of the personalized approach I take when I create them. This can also solve the problem, of what to buy, if you need a gift for somebody who has everything.

Last year I made a plaque for some friends who had their wedding ceremony at our boat marina. I used a 2"x12" weathered board, 20" long, to work as the plaque. I added a piece of heavy natural fiber, marine rope that was tied in a knot in the middle, formed into a heartshape and then looped at each end creating adjacent framing for their names. I used nails to anchor through the rope, driving them securely into the plaque.

The center of the plaque was where I started woodburning. I burned all of the lettering, something like "On This Day" , August 26,2007 "The Knot Was Tied" and some sort of written blessing. I put His and Her nicknames in the loops and finished the wood with a couple coats of tung oil. The wood and the rope added that boating theme, and the knot and the heart symbolized their marriage union. Yes it actually turned out real nice and boy I wish I had a photo to enter here.

My only suggestion here is to use your imagination, and take care to put forth your very best craftsmanship. Pyrography applied to something like the wedding plaque has some other advantages. It is easy to inscribe a note of presentation to the recipients, on the back side, and your signature.

Happy woodburning!