Some Explanation of My Design/Work

[The Witch, Besom, and The Bee]

 I am a self taught, artist in many mediums. Wood which is featured here, is in a way in my blood.

I have many relatives who for pleasure or profit worked or work in wood. The items you find here

are each made individually and with attention to what it wants to be. Yes, I am that kind of person. I may set out to make an "Athame" but what kind that piece of wood is becomes apparent as we go along. The general shape becomes more apparent as it carved, first with deep cuts, then

gentler "shaving" or "whittling down." Sometimes during this process I will sand to remove some of the roughness and get an idea of the piece, but mostly that comes later.

 After the shape has solidified then sanding begins. I use several grades of paper, going from a very strong grit, down to a smooth wet/dry grade. (I never use it wet on the wood, but it is very fine and creates a wonderfully smooth surface for burning!)

 Whereas I do actually create pyrography art/pictures, most of the things I showcase over here have to do with the depth and color that can be created by the burning process. I start out with

layer upon layer of burning, varying the strength of the burn and removing parts of it, (again with sanding) until  the desired effect is achieved. If there is to be ornamentation(pictures/designs in pyrography) involved now would be the time it would be applied. Even after all of this, it is only after the wax is applied that the true beauty of the object becomes apparent. What you knew was pretty before, becomes beautiful and looks as if it has been around forever, no just out of your woodpile.

 My wands are special in that they are from the wild, I live in the wild and they are collected in their natural form from the area. Not every piece of wood can be a wand, but some are. They have personality and shine just as brightly as the leaf, flower and fruit that came from them. When wand wood is found, it is sized, (every wand has it's perfect length.) Then it's bark is removed to show the beauty as yet unseen. Whatever shaping, smoothing, designing done by carving is to be done, is done at this time. Next comes the sanding, lots of sanding to create a lovely smoothness. If there were burning to be done, it would be done at this point, then a great waxing to bring out the finished beauty.

  I've enjoyed explaining abit about the work and would be happy to answer questions.

~Bright Blessings,

~M.