As a lover of nature, the thought of using just heat to create stunning art on reclaimed wood was so appealing, that I ordered my first wood-burning pen the next day.

My pen arrived that week and I paired it with a handful of plywood from my local Walmart. I knew nothing about wood, and the horrific smell of burning plywood did nothing to sway my enthusiasm.

(Note to past self: PLEASE put down that plywood and get some real wood!!)

After testing out the pen on scrap pieces, I moved to pine rounds which were readily available. I would also advise my past self to avoid pine at any cost, since they are notoriously difficult to burn on! I began creating ornaments and tokens which were gifted to my friends and family.

Slowly, over time, I began coming across local wood suppliers in my area, on Etsy, and through lumber yards. I began learning about different types of wood, upgraded my cheap woodburning pen, got myself a sold sander, opened my Etsy shop, and began selling at local artisan markets.

All the while, I started to experiment with paint—drawing inspiration from my artist Grandma and my Mom, both passionate about vibrant colour—and began to find my own style.

Now, I continue to develop my skill while broadening my knowledge about wood types & wood care, as well as teaching others this beautiful art form through my workshops & classes. Spending my days creating and teaching is such a dream come true, and I thank God profusely for all the doors He has and continues to open daily.

If you share my love for art, keep creating, keep dreaming, and I welcome you into this wonderful community!