My first tip of week...

I had a hard time deciding what my first post on jewelry tips should be about. I myself have been learning how to fine tune my stone setting skills at work, so that's fresh on my mind. However, for a first tip, it should be more simple and something anyone could start out with (especially since I don't know my readers yet, if I have any). Now I've got it. An age old trick that could be useful for just about any craft not just jewelry. Wood burning.

Wood burning is something I just got into, and I have featured this technique in my currant jewelry line as shown to the right. It is such a simple process. I can't believe I never thought of it before. Not only is it simple, the tool is very affordable. You can pick up one of these babies in your local hobby store for around $15.00 .

I was first turned onto this tool by my co-worker. He was trained in woodworking before he crossed over to jewelry. He has made all of his own bur and drill bit holders for work, and he numbered each slot with this tool. I've always admired how nice they turned out and thought of making my own. This thought led me to my local hobby store to investigate. When I found out how cheap it was, I was sold. However when I got it home, making bur holders was the last thing I did with it.

With the cost of gold being so high, many jewelers have looked for alternate materials to use. This has caused wood to become a prized element in jewelry. For my own jewelry line, this has only been good news. An affordable material, readily available to any crafter, is now in the lime light. This got my gears turning, and I started practicing with my new wood burning tool on any wood piece I had. It was so much fun getting to know my tool, it instantly became an element in my new line.

If you purchase a wood burning tool, try to find one that comes with many different tips. It takes just a little getting use to. I experimented with every tip, so I could find the one I was most comfortable using. Each tip is supposed to create different effects, but I found I could maneuver certain ones better than others regardless of their descriptive use. If you pencil on your idea first, it helps eliminate errors. I like to free hand it myself. A little snag could turn into my next great pattern.

I should throw in a few warnings before anyone decides to get started. This tool gets very hot. Never change the tip while it's on, and always keep it attended. I recommend the tool you buy to come with a stand. Working on a flat surface is best, just as if you were making a sketch. Non treated wood is recommended, so that you avoid any toxins that may be released from a stained or painted piece of wood. And of course, read your manual thoroughly. I hate to sound like an after school special, but I had to do it.

Another good tip... try it on leather. The great thing about this tool is that you can put your own custom stamp on your pieces. The outcome is something that looks like it took some effort, but had you spend very little time. Have any suggestions for my next tip? Anything you'd like to learn about? Send me a comment.