by Marianne Kelly

Created on: February 24, 2009

Wood-burning was once considered a child's past time. Wood-burning sets complete with pine wood plaques, a wood-burning pen and perhaps some colored pencils were a favorite Christmas gift for children age 8 and older some 40 years ago.

Since that time wood-burning has become an art suitable for ages 10 to infinity. If you can hold a pen, trace a picture, and color, you can make some beautiful wood-burned accessories for your home. Beautifully finished wood-burned items such as lazy Susans, cutting boards, even small pieces of furniture make wonderfully unique gifts for nearly every occasion.

Wood-burning is easy to learn. It can be a bit time consuming, but the results, when done correctly, are worth all the effort. We will use a kitchen cutting board as an example of how something ordinary can be turned into something beautiful that is at once decorative and functional. You can find everything you need at your local craft store, hardware store or on line.

You will need:

1 Wood-burning pen

1 kitchen cutting board. Maple is preferred but pine also works

#400 standard sandpaper

1 design of your choice. Look in magazines, coloring books, or buy a book with woodburning patterns. Start with something simple for your first project.

Scissors

1 sheet tracing paper

Scotch tape

1 hard lead pencil

1 set colored oil pencils

1 can acrylic fixative spray

# 600 wet or dry sandpaper

Sanding block

Acrylic water based finish. Your choice satin or gloss

Several 1" & 2" sponge applicators

Wooden stirring sticks

3M finishing pads

Amber Wax

Beeswax

Polishing cloth

Food safe salad bowl finish

Thin strip of leather

Directions:

1. Plug in your wood-burning pen.

2. While pen is heating, lightly sand both sides of your cutting board with #400 sandpaper. This smooths the wood, making it easier to use the wood-burning pen.

3. Cut your design to fit your board.

4. Place design on board and tape corners.

5. Slip tracing paper under design.

6. Carefully trace design onto board. Remove design and tracing paper when finished. You are now ready to burn your design into the wood.

7. Place your cutting board on a flat surface. Sit comfortably and gently pass the wood-burning pen over your tracing. Don't grip the pen as this will quickly cause hand fatigue. Go slowly and gently letting the pen do the work.To make lines darker, hold the pen a bit longer over that area. For lighter lines, make one pass.

8. When you've finished tracing your design, unplug the pen and get your pencils.

9. If you traced a colored design, your pencils

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