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Smoky Wood Studios

Every Tuesday, I share my newest creations, practical advice to help you with your wood-burning journey.

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Ghost in a Mason Jar Ornament

Mason Jar Halloween Ornaments

Hi there, I was browsing the internet for some inspiration and came across a mason jar ornament and found myself completely obsessed with it. I wasn't too sure how well they would do at the market, but I sold all but three. This means I will be making more for my next two events. If you are interested in one, the small mason jar ornament measures 5.7 x 3.18 and is $35, and the large one measures 10 x 5.25 and is $70, plus shipping. Just hit reply and I'll create a custom one just for you and...
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Fall is here + Mini Art Winner

Hi there, Fall has officially arrived, including my birthday, which I spent hiking in the clouds, so there were no real views only a nice walk in the woods. Which brings me to my idea. Deer on a Leaf I cut the leaf shape and then wood-burned the Deer and trees as usual. What do you think? I have a few more animals in mind that I want to create this with. The Mountains are calling Now that summer has passed, and the weather is cooler, my dogs and I are going to the mountains more often for...
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a group of colored pencils sitting next to each other
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Coloring your Pyrography Piece

Welcome to this week's Pyrography Notebook Entry! What to use for coloring your pyrography piece is also a personal choice and my favorite is using oil pencils. Here are some additional options: Pencils: oil, watercolor, clay-based (softer shades than oil and blend easier), pastels - all can be easily blended. Blending can be done with finger, tissue, chamois, blending stump, or tortillon depending on the effect you want to create. You can also use a thinner such as turpenoid or turpenoid...
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Personalized Wood-burned Pet Portraits

Hi there, It's been two weeks since I've written to you. I had a bit of a mishap with my website and had to get that sorted and completely lost track of time, but it is up and running again. I am now offering Pet Portrait Pyrography. So if you are looking for a unique and personalized gift then this is a great option. How it works: Send us a photo: Submit a clear image of your dog, cat, or any other beloved pet. I do the rest: I'll create a custom wood-burning that captures your pet's unique...
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Natural versus colored pyrography

Welcome to this week's Pyrography Notebook Entry! The use of color is a very personal decision. Not all of my projects get color and often when I start a new wood-burning piece, I don't plan on using color and it just evolves during the journey of creating. There is a lot of back and forth that happens before I make a final decision on whether I add color or not. When I do use color I use either acrylic pens or oil pencils and I often use oil pencils more than acrylic. You may choose to only...
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Troubleshooting Guide for Wood Preparation

Welcome to this week's Pyrography Notebook Entry! Here's a troubleshooting guide to help you address common issues encountered during wood preparation: Rough Surface Texture: Issue: The wood surface remains rough even after sanding. Solution: Ensure you're using the appropriate grit of sandpaper. Start with a coarse grit to remove rough spots, then progress to finer grits for a smoother finish. Check for any areas of the wood with grain direction changes or knots, which may require extra...
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Mountain Lion Pyrography

New Art + an Interview + a Giveaway

Hi there, a few weeks ago I was interviewed by CanvasRebel and the interview is now live. I hope you will check it out and read more about me and my journey to being a full-time artist! Read the Interview And now to some new art I just finished. This eagle pyrography piece is perfect for any wildlife and eagle fan’s home. The detailed artwork features a portrait of a bald eagle. This mountain lion pyrography piece is perfect for any wildlife and wild cat fan’s home. The detailed artwork...
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person holding red and black hand tool
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Choosing the Right Wood for Your Project

Welcome to this week's Pyrography Notebook Entry! Safe Woods for Pyrography: Basswood is one of the most popular woods used by wood-burning artists. It is a solid choice because it's easy to burn, has very little grain and it burns beautifully. You'll get a nice contrast between the wood and the deep color of the burning. It is available in all shapes and sizes with and without bark. Italian poplar plywood is also very light in color and has a very even, smooth grain. Similar to basswood,...
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September Commissions + Earring Updates

Hi there, can you believe it's September already? This means it is time to open the commissions for the month! Here is what I have available: 2 Guitar-shapes that measure 15 x 12 inches 2 rectangular pieces that measure 14 x 10 Use Code: Sept324 to access and order! Let's do it If you want to see what I have done in the past, click here for the Gallery. What else is new? Well, I have been having so much fun creating the mini pyrography mushroom pieces that I thought I would create some...
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