How to Use a Wood Burning Tool

The title of this post is a bit deceptive.  Honestly, I really do not know how to use a wood burning tool.  I just found one a year or so back and have just gotten around to using it.  My first foray into the art is HERE.  Anyway, I thought I would share the little bit of insight I've gleaned from trial and error.  

Interested?  Read on!

Here she is!  It 's simple really.  There is the tool that plugs into any old outlet and the "tip" which screws on and off.  

I have three tips, but this one is my favorite.  It has a straight edge for carving words like this:

It also has a flat side you can drag along the wood to make this effect:

To create straight lines for lettering, I let the piece sit for a few seconds until it starts to sink into the wood, then slowly move it down the line, carving into the wood.  Sometimes I draw an outline first to give the tool a guide, especially on difficult curves like this R.  Clearly, I'm still perfecting the craft :)

 

Here's a wide view of the board.

 

My latest board is of these two little owls.  I added little "jewels" for eyes.  

A bracelet of mine broke - thanks Hank!- so I repurposed a few of the little pieces as eyes.

On this board I experimented with actually cutting out pieces of the black and exposing the board below.

...and if you were wondering...their names are "wise and otherwise"  :)

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