Janet M. McDonald - Artist - New Zealand
Pyrography - Wood Burning Art
Pyrography is how a design is put onto the wood. This craft has been done on timber since the Middle Ages when hot metal pokers were heated in a fire and then designs burnt into timber. A new poker had to be used every couple of minutes once the heat released itself from the tool into the wood.
Bowls, drinking goblets, kitchen utensils and furniture etc were embellished. These day a hand held metal wire with a cool handle is continually heated and the design is burnt into the wood by hand.
Unlike stitching if you make a mistake while burning you can not unpick the mistake. So a steady hand and concentration is needed.
Bowls, drinking goblets, kitchen utensils and furniture etc were embellished. These day a hand held metal wire with a cool handle is continually heated and the design is burnt into the wood by hand.
Unlike stitching if you make a mistake while burning you can not unpick the mistake. So a steady hand and concentration is needed.
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These 3 chopping board are all different sizes. I changed each design to fit each board. The long board is 35cm long. The round ones are 25 and 35cm round. .
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Below I took and old coffee table and upcycled it by burning Mandala designs all over it in pyrography. Sorry my video recording skills are not the best.
I acquired an antique, hand made triangular chest of draws and upcycled them. The wood is New Zealand Kauri and Rimu. The handles are brass.
I used two 13th Century Woodcut designs as my design inspiration. Taking away some objects and adding elements to extend the design height and making the design overall easier to view. The chest is132cm (52 inches) high and 25cm (10 inches) deep.
0cm wide.Sorry my video recording skills are not the best.
I used two 13th Century Woodcut designs as my design inspiration. Taking away some objects and adding elements to extend the design height and making the design overall easier to view. The chest is132cm (52 inches) high and 25cm (10 inches) deep.
0cm wide.Sorry my video recording skills are not the best.
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A recycled Arcadia wooden bowl that I designed a retro Scandinavian design for. 30cm wide.
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This Koru (fern frond) design I originally did up for a paper and ink design. Now I have burnt it on a pot stand 14cm wide.
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I love searching second hand shops for hand turned wooden objects. This container with lid, looked rather sad on the shelf with no polish to it. But after doing pyrography on it and varnishing, it has come to life. It is 11 cm tall.
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Living in New Zealand it was only a matter of time before I did some wood burning that was Hobbit related. The box is 15cm wide.
The wooden box below I purchased and designed a theme of New Zealand and Pacifica for a friend to hold his vaping tanks. The box is 25cm wide.
The wooden platter below my father hand turned on a wood lathe many years ago. So for my sisters 60th birthday he gave me the plater and I drew up the thistle/celtic design and burt onto the plater. The platter is 36cm (14 inches) wide.The wood is Rimu a native wood to New Zealand.
I gave this wooden crate below a New Zealand Summer feel to design. The design has been hand burnt (pyrography) onto the cedar wood. Then two layers of varnish to seal and a rope handle each end. The crate is 40 x30cm and 18cm high.
Among the design you will find…. Baby silver fern fronds, Southern Cross stars. fish, seaweed, seashells, the New Zealand Pohutukawa flowers, ocean waves and sand.
Among the design you will find…. Baby silver fern fronds, Southern Cross stars. fish, seaweed, seashells, the New Zealand Pohutukawa flowers, ocean waves and sand.
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The plate above is made from New Zealand pine. The owl I recreated in pyrography from a Needlework design I designed and hand stitched. The plate is 20cm wide.
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Wooden bowl
I based my designs on the bowl after the mehndi style of design. 9cm across the top.Made from New Zealand Pine timber. It has been sealed with 3 layers of varnish.
I based my designs on the bowl after the mehndi style of design. 9cm across the top.Made from New Zealand Pine timber. It has been sealed with 3 layers of varnish.
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Giant Wooden Thimbles
These can be used as a drink coaster, hung on the wall or free standing on a shelf.
Made from New Zealand Pine timber. They have been sealed with 3 layers of varnish. Each thimble measurements 13 x 11.5 x 2 cms (5-1/4 x 4-1/2 x 3/4 inches)
These can be used as a drink coaster, hung on the wall or free standing on a shelf.
Made from New Zealand Pine timber. They have been sealed with 3 layers of varnish. Each thimble measurements 13 x 11.5 x 2 cms (5-1/4 x 4-1/2 x 3/4 inches)
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Paisley Stitching
I based the design of this dish on paisley fabric designs. Note the two thimbles among the design. Made from recycled New Zealand Pine Timber which has been hand turned on a lath. It has been sealed with layers of varnish. The dish measures 20 cms (8 inches) across. Edge depth 2 cms (3/4 inches). This dish being from recycled timber it may have a small blemish/s in the timber that adds to its natural charm. |
Celtic Stitching
I based the design on this dish around a Celtic knot design. Among the knots you will find buttons, beads, needles, thread and cotton reels. Made from recycled New Zealand Pine Timber which has been hand turned on a lath. It has been sealed with layers of varnish. The dish measures 20 cms (8 inches) across. Edge depth 2 cms (3/4 inches). This dish being from recycled timber it may have a small blemish/s in the timber that adds to its natural charm. |
Pyrography Thistle Teapot Stand
On the left is my Scottish Thistle stitched in Padded Needlelace; the design is 15 x 16 cms (6 high x 6 ¼ wide inches) in size. On the right is a wooden teapot stand I made adapted from my Needlelace design; The plaque measurements are 14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches).
On the left is my Scottish Thistle stitched in Padded Needlelace; the design is 15 x 16 cms (6 high x 6 ¼ wide inches) in size. On the right is a wooden teapot stand I made adapted from my Needlelace design; The plaque measurements are 14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches).
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Pyrography Celebration Cake
This cake is represented with needle candles that celebrate stitching. A band of ric-rack wraps around each cake tier. The hand appliquéd buttonhole edged frosting has French knots. Buttons and beads embellish the centre of each cake tier. Made from New Zealand Pine Timber. It has been sealed with layers of varnish. The plaque measurements are14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches). |
Pyrography Cupcake
This cupcake is represented with an appliquéd frosting top with a hand appliquéd buttonhole edge and embellished with buttons and beads. Rows of ric-rack decorates the lower cupcake case.. Made from New Zealand Pine Timber. It has been sealed with layers of varnish. The plaque measurements are14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches). |
Pyrography Burnt Wood Celtic Cross
This Celtic Cross I made my sister. I cut the shape out of wood myself and then burnt the design onto the wood. The length of the cross is about 20cm (8 inches)
This Celtic Cross I made my sister. I cut the shape out of wood myself and then burnt the design onto the wood. The length of the cross is about 20cm (8 inches)
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Pyrography Floral Pincushion
This Pincushion has flowers, leaves and berries engraved around the edges. On two corners are thimbles I have engraved some initials and year. On the opposite corners are cotton reels. Made from New Zealand Pine Timbe, it has been sealed with layers of varnish. The wood measurements are 14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches). |
Laura's Pyrography Pincushion
This Pincushion has needlework floss, beads, buttons and needles engraved around the edges. On two corners initials are ingraved. The wood measurements are 14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches). |
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This pyrography pot stand measurements 14cms (5 inches) square. Thickness 2 cms (3/4 inches). It was made as a joke.
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