I’ve been wood‑burning for 25 years, longer than most people have known the smell of scorched basswood or watched the glow of a pyrography pen melt into a piece of cherry. I’ve taught workshops, designed patterns, and filled more scrap boards than I can count. And yet… some days, I still don’t know what to burn next.

That feeling can be surprisingly heavy.

When I first started, I thought experience would cure that uncertainty. I pictured myself years in the future, armed with so much confidence that inspiration would always come naturally. But the truth is simpler, and more human: inspiration isn’t a faucet you turn on. It’s a muscle you build.

And here’s what I’ve learned most recently:

Patience isn’t my strong suit.

I want ideas now. I want momentum now. I want the creative spark to hit me the moment I sit down with a blank piece of wood. But that’s rarely how it works.

Some days I sit with my tools and the silence… and nothing comes.
Other days I sit down with the best intentions and get overwhelmed by possibilities.
And sometimes I question my own skill so deeply that I talk myself out of burning altogether.

After 25 years.

If I can still struggle with this, then you’re absolutely not alone.

Why Creative Blocks Hurt More Than We Think

When you first fall in love with pyrography, everything is magic. But once the honeymoon phase wears off, you start craving structure. You start wanting progress. You start noticing that inspiration comes in waves, not on command.

And if you’ve ever searched Pinterest for hours, bookmarked patterns you never used, or watched a “simple beginner tutorial” only to feel more confused… you’re not wrong. You’re just missing the support system that turns trying into doing.

For a long time, I tried to figure it out on my own.
Books. Videos. Buying every pattern bundle I could find.
And yeah, sometimes those help. But not consistently. Not in a way that builds your skills week after week.

What changed that for me wasn’t another tutorial.

It was community.
Structure.
A place to share, ask, and create with others who get it.

Introducing Pyrography Academy

That’s exactly why I created Pyrography Academy, because the joy of wood‑burning shouldn’t feel like wandering through a creative desert. Whether you love the peaceful solitude of burning on your own or thrive in a circle of fellow artists, the Academy gives you:

• Weekly burn‑along projects that take the guesswork out of what to create next
• A library of patterns & tutorials you can access any time
• The Woodshed — our private community (NOT on Facebook!) where you can share your work, ask questions, and get encouragement

And the best part? You don’t need to be a “seasoned pro”, or even confident to join in. You just need the desire to create.

Let’s Burn Together, Even on the Hard Days

Creative slumps don’t mean you lack talent. They mean you need support.

And I’m living proof that even decades in, I still need encouragement, ideas, and a reason to show up for my craft.

If you’re tired of wondering what to burn next, if you’ve ever felt stuck or frustrated or unsure… you deserve something better.
You deserve a place that helps you stay inspired, consistent, and connected.

Join Pyrography Academy today and let’s light up your creative journey, one week at a time.