Best Way To Do Vintage Pyrography – On 6 Types Objects And With 5 Patterns

If you do not have access to a vintage pyrography item, you can just make one yourself. We all have antique items or something that looks vintage at home. So when it comes to pyrography, the ancient wood burning art form, it is natural to want to get more of it.

You can use wooden tissue boxes, jewelry boxes, chests, penholders, smoking pipes, guitars, etc. And as for design, you can choose flower patterns, animals, mandalas, abstract designs, etc., for creating the antique art. And remember that these artworks usually cover the entire wooden surface.

I have discussed more on this topic in the next parts of the article. So feel free to dive in and find out more.

How To Get Designs

Before burning any design on wood, most people choose to transfer the design to the wood first. You will have to do it here as well because you would not want to make the artwork appear clumsy.

But where do you find these old designs for burn works? Well, here are some ideas.

Draw It Yourself

Are you into artwork? If you are, your artistic skill is about to come in handy. Rather than choosing any other way to create a design on the wooden pieces, you can just use any pencil, or, better, graphite pencil, to draw the design before burning wood.

Stencils

Woodburning stencils are quite popular and insanely helpful for newbies. You can find them in any local craft store or purchase them online. Using the stencils and a pencil, you can transfer the design to the wood for wood burning.

Print/Purchase Templates

Other than stencils, you can use printed templates. You can browse the internet to find various old and elegant designs and print them for pyrography. If not, you can find them online or wood burning stores easily. Then you can use carbon or graphite paper and a pencil to transform the template design on wood by tracing them.

Items To Do The Antique Woodburn On

Here is a list of items you can do vintage (or antique) art on.

Boxes

Wooden boxes are quite popular for this specific type of pyrography. Not just now but even many centuries ago, these pokerworks were common on various boxes, especially on jewelry boxes. But now, you can choose to do it on tissue boxes, glove boxes, souvenir boxes or even cabinets. It is something that you intend to turn into a family heirloom or pass from generation to generation.

Vases

Vases are another significant item for vintage type pyrography. Whether small or large, you can choose any size of vase to do the wood burning artwork.

Musical Instruments

Evidence of wood burn art on musical instruments was found in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Queen Mary Harp and Trinity are two of the most well-known examples of vintage woodburns. You can do it on your guitar, violin, ukulele, harp, drum, etc.

Utensils

Who says you cannot do vintage wood burning work on utensils? From the wooden spoon in your kitchen to the serving tray and coffee table, you can choose any piece for pyrography.

Personal Items

You can pick any of your favorite wooden items and turn it into a vintage tasted one, something that can later turn into an heirloom. You can do it on a wooden brush or mirror, keyring, necklace or bracelet, etc.

Others

Since, there is no limit to the items you can choose for vintage looking art, you can choose almost anything that seems suitable to you. From wooden barrels and hammers to wall decorations and photo albums, anything is suitable. You can also do this special antique type pyrography on the old cabinet doors unless it belongs to your grandma, who is ready to slay anyone who touches her stuff. 🙂 😉

Design Ideas

Now comes the most challenging part. What designs can you do for vintage sensed pyrography?

Most vintage wood burning artwork shows various patterns and designs, such as mandalas, human and animal portraits, etc. Here are some to help you understand it more clearly.

Medallions/Mandalas

• Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly to professional ones
• Easy to follow the patterns, stencils recommended
• Repetitive design
• Suitable for ornaments, wall decor, and utensils 

Geometric Pattern

• Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
• Easy-to-follow pattern
• Suitable for practice and décor

Floral Prints

• Difficulty Level: Depending on the design, it can be beginner-friendly or of professional-level
• Mostly comes as an outline design but is often done with shading
• Suitable for almost any wooden item

Portraits/With Added Designs

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate or professional
• Can be a family or individual portrait or of animals
• Requires tracing or image transfer before burning wood
• Suitable to use as a personal item or decorative house item

Nature/Scenery

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate or professional
• Needs tracing or pattern transformation for burning
• Requires a larger area to create such artwork
• Can be time-consuming

You can read an interesting article on Victorian era burn art here.

Some vintage floral patterns via pyrography is demonstrated in this video. You can view it directly here as well.

Final Words

Vintage woodburning usually consists of a slightly complex pattern or design. Sometimes, a single artwork can contain different types of designs, along with portraits. That is why this job is usually done by intermediate or professional pyrography.

But hey! Never say never when it comes to practicing the artwork, even if it seems bad at first. So go gather your pyrography tools and start creating this special genre of designs on wood.