 Celtic Mother's Knot Wood-burned Plaque by Di's Studio Designs. Are you new to wood burning? If you are an artist or crafter who wants to create wood-burned art but doesn’t know what supplies you’ll need, this article is for you! Below is a list of tools, safety equipment, cleaning materials, accessories, and how-to books for those new to the art of pyrography. This should give you a better idea of what you will need for your projects so you can start with confidence! The posts in this article contain affiliate links from Blick Art Materials and Amazon. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. Wood burning kits The most obvious tool you will need is a wood burner! There are kits for any budget. If you want to dip your toes in, these inexpensive burner kits are a good place to start.    If you have a larger budget, invest in a kit with a digital adjustable temperature machine with a wide variety of solid and wire nibs, like the ones pictured below. These kits are geared toward the more experienced artist but you can learn how to use each piece as you progress.   Protective & safety supplies Before we go any further we should talk about safety. You will be dealing with a tool that gets very hot. Protect your fingers while using the wood burner with silicone finger guards. When not in use, the wood burner tool should rest on a sturdy bracket. Keep a pair of needle nose pliers and a ceramic dish nearby for changing out hot nibs.    The wood-burning process produces smoke you should avoid inhaling, as much as possible. A few safety suggestions are a mask (like the P95 mask seen below), a small fan to blow the smoke away from your face, and an air purifier for rooms without adequate ventilation.    Wood for pyrography There is an endless variety of options for pyrography art. The type of wood you choose will depend on your design and skill level. The most popular wood for beginners is basswood.   Another type of wood that works well in wood-burning projects is poplar (like the boards seen below). It’s worth remembering that woods come with a variety of characteristics. Some wood is sappy (like pine), hard (like oak), and very soft (like balsa). You will also notice that certain wood varieties are darker than others. The lighter woods are usually better for art. For the best results, do research before buying wood for your project. Do NOT use wood that has a finish or contains glues! These surfaces will release toxic fumes you do NOT want to breathe in!  Cleaning materials Follow the cleaning instructions with your kit to keep your nibs in top shape. However, there are a few DIY suggestions from other pyrographers. Most of these methods include using abrasives such as steel wool, wire mesh, or brass wire brushes. You can also use a honing cloth, leather strop, or aluminum oxide to clean the nib’s surface and edges. Use cleaning methods with care so as not to damage the nib’s surface.       Optional tools and accessories A few additional tools to keep on hand while wood-burning are sandpaper, sand erasers, and a sharp blade. These tools can help you fix mistakes on the wood surface. If comfort is an issue, try using a portable drawing table. This will allow you to position your workspace for better posture and bracing for the drawing arm.     If you are a true newbie to the art of pyrography—or want to try out a simple project—you can purchase kits like the one below that include small pieces of wood and a drawing template. And if calligraphy is not your strong point there are stamp kits with numbers, letters, and symbols.   Books for learning pyrography I recommend obtaining a book or two on pyrography techniques. The tips in these books will improve your drawing and wood-burning skills and inspire you with samples and exercises.    Do you like drawing tutorials and DIYs? Follow me on YouTube here! My channel has Celtic art drawings, wood-burning tutorials, faux floral videos, and crafty DIY projects. Visit my website to see my online shop, where you will find handcrafted faux floral designs, candleholders, wooden fairy houses, and wood-burned Celtic art. Related blogs you may want to read: https://disstudiodesigns.com/blog/drawing-supply-gift-ideas-for-the-artist-in-the-family
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