February 29 - March 1, 2020 (Saturday - Sunday), 9:30 am - 5 pm

Class size: 12 students. Hurry to register before the class is filled!

Class cost: $150 paid to Klingspor's Woodworking Shop

Materials cost: $30 (includes materials, handouts, and pattern) paid to instructor when class starts

Instructor: Michele Parsons is a professional pyrography artist and author for Fox Chapel Publishing's Pyrography magazine, Leather Pyrography book and the Big Book of Pyrography Projects. She is also a pyrography instructor for the International Woodcarving Congress, Southeastern Woodcarving School, the American Woodcarving School, and various regional clubs.

What to bring to class: Bring your enthusiasm, variable temperature woodburning equipment and woodburning pens, materials money, and a pencil/pen. For a complete detailed list of equipment you’ll need, see Michele’s website at www.ParsonsWoodArtistry.com and look under the Classes tab. If you do not have equipment, sign up for one of the loaner kits she has available on a first-requested basis. We will break for an hour for lunch each day (usually around noon). You can bring snacks, lunch, and drinks.

In this class you will learn how to woodburn and/or expand your knowledge and experience using variable-temperature woodburning tools while creating an in-depth woodburning project under the guidance of a skilled instructor.

We will be using patterns in this class, so you do not need to know how to draw. Students will pick from a selection of wildlife, landscape, or portrait patterns that challenge their particular skill level. Michele wants students to work on subjects that they find interesting and is open to students sending her a picture they want to burn in advance of the class so Michele can make the pattern for them.

At the beginning of class, Michele will discuss various aspects of burning the patterns that the students are working on. Then students that are new to woodburning (and those that want a refresher) will be guided through the basic information about woodburning while advanced students move on to start their project. Basic information about woodburning includes safety, wood selection and preparation, equipment selection and care, burning techniques with different types of pens, transferring patterns, correcting mistakes, adding color and finishes. While students are working on their class project, Michele will toggle between demonstrating techniques for burning an area of the pattern with students burning that area on their project board.

Note to interested woodcarvers/woodworkers: This class will teach you woodburning skills that are best to master on a flat surface before you start woodburning round/carved pieces. Michele's teaching style is to explain and demonstrate techniques on a group and individual student basis. Michele does not work directly on your project. Instead, she offers instruction and guidance showing you on a sample board so that you learn from doing it yourself and can take pride and ownership in the project when it is complete.

Leather Option: If you want to burn leather instead of wood in this class, contact Michele at least 4 days advance of the class. There will be an additional materials cost of $20 for the leather, paid to the instructor when class starts.