Darice Woodburning Tool Review

I  have never used Darice’s wood burning tool or any wood-burning tool, for that matter.  I was excited for the opportunity to use a new crafting tool.  I opened the package; it comes with the wood burner, a stand, and several different wood burning tips.

I experimented with the tips on scrap wood for several hours and this is what I learned:

1. The wood you are working with really needs to be sanded down.  The rough splintered wood is very hard to make a design on.
2. The thin pointed tip works great for outlining.
3. The larger rounded tip works great for shadowing almost like a crayon.
4. It is best to sketch your design with pencil on the wood before you burn it.
5. Do not press the tip into the wood but slowly run it along the wood.
6. Mix wood-burning techniques with paint for a fun effect.
7. Wait for the wood-burning tool to fully cool off before you screw another tip onto the tool.

I used a princess cut-out provided by Consumer Crafts to practice some of the techniques I had learned.  I had read somewhere that ivy was an easy technique with a wood burning tool and I wanted to give it a try.
I began by first tracing the inside of the princess cut-out with the fine tip attachment.



Then I wanted to add little leaves.  There is an attachment that is shaped like a leaf that I thought would be perfect for the job.  Turns out it just makes scorch marks.  I wasn’t really a big fan of this applicator and was glad that I tried it out on practice piece.



Lastly, I tried the larger rounded tip to make little leaves and I loved out those turned out!



The biggest thing I learned while working with Darice’s Wood Burning Tool is not to press too hard, but too work slowly and methodically creating my image.  I am a crayon snapper, I am a high-stress person and I press down really hard on everything, whether I am using a pencil, pen, or even a paint brush.  Using the wood burning tool was a wonderful stress release for me.  There was something very calming about knowing that I had to do it slowly and lightly or I would ruin the piece.



The final and most important thing I learned is; if you don’t like it sand it off and start again!

My review was originally posted on Crafts Unleashed.  

Spring Candy Dish

Spring has almost sprung!  I have begun to decorate my home with all things "Spring" in hopes that the snow will melt, flowers will bloom, and birds will sing!  A girl can hope!

I love candy dishes, the more unique the better!

Materials:

• Core'dinations Cardstock Super Assortments
• love wire word and charms
• wood bird feeder model kit
• Studio 71 Acrylic Paint Iridescent Gold
• 16 oz gloss mod podge
• Tacky Glue
• Sand Paper

Instructions:

I first began by taking all the bird-feeder wooden pieces out of their packaging.

Then I chose several different colors from Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock. I love Core'dinations you can, "sand, tear and antique the cardstock to reveal the "core'dinating" core color hidden beneath the texture."

I decoupaged each wooden bird feeder piece, except for the thin sides on the smaller wooden pieces.

After the decoupage dried I painted the sides and lightly painted the paper with iridescent gold paint. Once, the paint was dried I lightly sanded the edges and top, of each piece. When I sanded the paper I also took some of the Mod Podge off, however, because I did not sand the entire piece or sand it deeply the paper stayed on just fine. If you are worried about the pieces you can add another layer of decoupage once you have sanded the paper. Next, using tacky glue I assembled the bird feeder.

Lastly, I attached Darice Finishing Accents with hot glue.

The I added candy to the bird feeder tray to be used as a candy dish.

This is a fun craft to make and give to your children going off to college, make for a teacher, or even give as a hostess gift!

Original Post at Crafts Unleashed, craft material provided by Consumer Crafts
Craft Designer: Sarah Forhan
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Stumble It:

Carved Shore Bird - First Coat of Paint

Craft Studio Project Sneak Peek: The Shore Bird is now attached to the base and has its first few coats of paint.  Progress has been made from last week's sneak peek.

Visit me at Crafts Unleashed to see the next post of a dollhouse I am making for my granddaughter.  Lots of progress made on the dollhouse as well!

Paul Bartlett - Father to Sarah Forhan
"A family who crafts together, stays together."

Carved Shore Bird - The Beginnings

Sneak Peek:  On my work table right now is a Shore Bird that I am carving.  I began with a block of wood and with carving and sanding the shore bird is slowly starting to come alive.  For the base, I have cut a piece of wood from a tree branch and sealed the top with polyurethane.

Visit me at Crafts Unleashed to see the beginning stages of a dollhouse I am making for my granddaughter.

Paul Bartlett - Father to Sarah Forhan
"A family who crafts together, stays together."

A Family That Crafts Together - Stays Together

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

I thought in the true spirit of today it was a perfect time to announce that my father would a contributing blogger here at Sewing and Crafting with Sarah.  My dad, Paul Bartlett, is an excellent woodworker, awesome craftsman, and all around great guy!  He has agreed to showcase some of his crafts on my blog.  He is also now a designer a Crafts Unleashed.  His first post (ever!) is up at Crafts Unleashed; it is a heartwarming story of how he is regaining normalcy after their home fire in 2010.   

A fire is a tragedy for anyone but to be an artist and lose your life's artwork is very hard.  The wood carvings that he has left are the wooden decoys that I have at my home (along with carvings that other family members had at their home).

Please visit him at Crafts Unleashed to read his story along with checking out his "Love" Box he made for Valentine's Day.

Small glimpse of his surviving artwork:

Trendy Candy Dish

I love candy dishes!  Is it the candy dish I love or the candy inside?  Really it is a toss up!

The greatest thing about candy dishes are they are an easy change for each season.  I also think there is something very warm and inviting about having candy out; instantly makes guests feel welcome.  Maybe even brings back memories of grandma's house?  At least that is what I tell husband, gives me good reason to have tiny morsels of goodness in the house.

I recently turned a very inexpensive wooden bird feeder kit that I received from Consumer Crafts into a cute trendy candy dish.  To say I am in LOVE with this candy dish is an understatement!  Check out Crafts Unleashed for step-by-step instructions on how I made it.