Introduction to Pyrography
The Art of Woodburning
By Daniel Wright

      They say it’s a bad workman who blames his tools, but having a book to tell you what tools to buy in the first place and to set you off on the right path is a priceless boon. Books on pyrography aren’t thick on the ground, but this is a good one and if you own it you are already one up on me as you will know which tool to buy and won’t end up with the wrong one like I did. With the right tool you can, if you are as artistic as Daniel Wright, do some beautiful work. Who needs color when you can do such stunning stuff with dark brown on tan, burning designs into wood?

      It is comforting to know that you don’t need a lot of equipment for this craft, apart from the initial outlay for the iron itself. The rest you already have in your tool-shed or can easily obtain. Learn how to hold the iron properly, and what strokes make which effects with a handy pictorial list. Work through some attractive projects making a chess set, cheeseboard, napkin rings and egg cups; then try your hand at some harder projects using gourds, driftwood and leather. There is a section on design and how to develop it which is useful. And take my word for it – even with a dodgy tool it is an addictive hobby and one which creates a lot of useful items that people do really want to own. So who is this book for? Somebody with artistic talent obviously, as this is not your cut-and-paste or work-from-a-grid hobby. If you have that inclination, and fancy trying your hand at drawing with a hot tool on wood then this is an inspiring and quality primer.

      If you cannot find the materials locally try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.