Frequently Asked Questions

Hello to everyone who has recently watched me! I have been completely shocked by the positive response that my British animals have gotten in the past few hours, it means the absolute world to me that they have been enjoyed. Thank you to everyone who has favourited, commented or stopped by - it really is appreciated!

It is going to take me quite some time to filter through all of the messages and many questions have been asked! I had some of the same questions several times and got asked some interesting ones at the craft faire I did this weekend. So, here is a little FAQ - just so I can answer everyone who took the time to ask

What is pyrography/How do you make your items?
Pyrography is the art of wood burning! I use a combination of a hot wire and a soldering iron to create my animals, mostly using tips that I have made myself. There are some truly incredible fire artists out there, many of them here on DA

When did you start woodburning and why?
I have only been burning for one year, as I recieved my soldering iron for Christmas last year, but I have been drawing animals for most of my life. My journey into woodburning all began with the sudden death of my Dad. When he died it was a complete shock to the entire family and our lives were turned upside down. I had spent many years doodling fantasy figures, scribbling down rp characters without really spending much time on my drawing skills at all. The day after my Dad died I stepped into his office at work, sat in his chair and pulled open one of his desk drawers. There in his drawer sat every animal I had ever drawn for him as a child! He had kept them for 20 odd years, within his reach when he was working hard to support us.

My Dad loved my drawings. He stole all the things I thought I had thrown away over the years and kept them After he died I had dreams about drawing into wood a few times and googled the practice. I asked my family to buy me the basic tools for Christmas and there we are! I started to burn and didn't stop. Each and every animal I burn is for my Dad, I sit with my wires pouring them into the wood in the hope that I am doing him proud. It gives me immense joy to then pass them on, either by selling them through Etsy, at craft faires or even just to friends.

Do you do commissions? Where can I buy your work?
I do sometimes open for commissions but, as this is my hobby, I am often stupidly busy running my jewellery business. When I open for commissions I post a journal with free slots I love to burn animals that are sentimental to people, I can burn pets from photographs and have met some wonderful people doing that.

You can buy many of the burns in this gallery from my Etsy store here: www.etsy.com/shop/GemsbyGem?re… It is closed right now until after Christmas but will hopefully be full of critters come the new year!

I'd like to try pyrography, do you have any tutorials or tips?
Excellent! Welcome to the club I have some information on safe practice in my journal here fav.me/d5b1in6 and of course you can always ask my questions. Just keep in mind I might be a bit slow in replying! I don't give out my personal methods or the sources of my wood but would happily help you if you come up against any problems.

I want to buy a stag from you! Will you burn more?
Yes! The stag that appears in my burnings is named Frost. He is one of the first animals I designed and has taken on some character since I began burning him. A lady picked him up at a recent faire and said he had a 'gentle face', I beamed at that! I will continue to burn him and he will be available on Etsy at times. As well as Frost, who is a bucktail, I burn an elk and a reindeer quite often and of course a little doe. They too will be available in various forms.

How much do you charge for your burnings?
My bookmarks, tokens and trinkets are usually quite cheap. I'm not interested in making a fortune from my burns, it is enough that they are enjoyed for me. My large work however, like the plaques and wall hangings, range in price depending on how much time I spent on them. Sometimes the large works can be sat on my desk for weeks

How do you design your animals?
I draw with HB pencil directly into the wood, usually from pictures I've taken or whilst watching documentaries. Then I burn straight into the wood and they just evolve on their own. My animal choices depend on what I am learning about, I love to research the animals before I burn them. There are however regulars that I burn over and over again. These including Frost the stag and Bracken the hare.

I'm struggling with grief after losing a loved one, can I message you?
Ok I made this one up myself! I have lost my Dad, my home, my beloved dog and my Nan all in the past two years (I am 24). If you need a kind word whilst coping with the grief of losing someone then you can note me. I will do my best to reply to you You are not alone

There we have it! I think that answers most of the questions! If there is anything not covered here please feel free to ask in the comments and I will do my best to answer.

Thank you all once again for your feedback and interest in my animals!