Nature themed wooden bookmarks
I recently decided to have a go at making some pyrography wooden bookmarks for my Folksy shop. Although they can be challenging to design, being long and thin, they're great projects. The ones I chose are about 3.2cm x 12cm, so on the small side but I'm really happy with how they turned out. I love the fact you can turn an every day item into a little piece of art.
I have seen a few people saying you shouldn't use pyrography on plywood but I find it works well and you get a good burn. You have to be careful because the glue can release fumes, however it's advisable to always wear a mask when doing pyrography on any surface to protect yourself from inhaling the smoke.
Hares are crows are also subjects I enjoy doing on my projects. I'm lucky enough to be able to observe both firsthand around my cottage on the Fens. The more times you draw a subject the more you develop your way of doing it.
On this type of project which is likely to be handled frequently I used a satin artists varnish to seal the wood and protect the design. This will prevent the wood from discolouring eventually. My favourite varnish is Liquitex artists acrylic varnish which easily cleans with soap and water.
I generally use three coats of varnish, giving the piece a light buff with an abrasive sponge after the second coat to ensure a smooth finish.
I wasn't sure how well bookmarks would sell in the age of the Kindle but I've been pleased that one sold immediately and two others soon after, so there are other people out there like me who still enjoy the feeling of a proper book in their hands. These unique pieces of art are a perfect gift for any book lover and I hope to be adding some more to the shop soon.
