Rustic Christmas Pyrography - my first festive workshops!
There’s something wonderfully magical about gathering around a table, wooden blanks in hand, as the scent of gorgeous candles and festive anticipation fills the air. On a crisp November day, tucked away from the rush of everyday life and sheltering from the rain, we came together at By HeatherMay's for two rustic Christmas pyrography workshops - and what a joy they were.
Stepping into the space, the atmosphere felt instantly calm and inviting: soft lighting, natural scents, a beautifully decorated room, and a lovely sense of creative potential hanging in the air. Everyone was warmly welcomed and settled in with a hot drink, the perfect way to begin when you know you’re about to play with fire, albeit in a very controlled and artistic way!
After a gentle introduction to wood-burning tools and safety, we eased in with simple practice pieces; experimenting with lines, marks, and textures to get a feel for the pen, the warmth, and the grain of the wood beneath our fingers. Once everyone found their groove, we moved on to the real magic: crafting rustic Christmas decorations.
Participants chose from a variety of festive wooden shapes, from stars and hearts, to reindeers, baubles and more. Some followed the templates provided; others let their imaginations lead the way! As the pyrography tools glowed and delicate strokes became warm burn marks, the room settled into that peaceful, absorbing silence that only happens when everyone is completely in the flow.
"Loved getting my Christmas craft on - such a fun experience but at the same time, so therapeutic! Thank you for an amazing crafting morning."
Despite the deep concentration, the day was filled with little moments of treat and comfort. A spread of delicious cakes and seasonal sweet goodies appeared mid-session. Although no one paused for a “formal coffee break,” they didn’t need to - creativity was flowing, hands were busy, and friendly conversations bubbled up naturally between pieces being made. Ideas were shared, tips were swapped, and plenty of “oohs” and “aahs” were heard as everyone admired each other’s creations - it was just lovely!
By the end of each workshop, every student left with a collection of beautiful rustic decorations. Handmade pieces full of care, character, and personal touches. Some sealed their designs with lacquer, others with natural oils, before adding the final flourish of ribbon.
"Absolutely fantastic workshop with Connie. Super easy to follow her guidance and love all the decorations I have made. So chuffed with my efforts!"
Watching everyone wrap up, excited to take their finished decorations home, there was a lovely sense of shared pride in the room. Not only had we created gorgeous Christmas pieces, but we had also enjoyed a few hours of calm and creativity - a chance to step away from the rush of everyday life and simply make.
"The best workshop. I am struggling with my mental health at the moment and this workshop brought a lot of joy."
I feel blessed that this workshop created a space where someone could feel even a moment of joy and calm. Reading those words genuinely touched my heart. It’s moments like this that highlight what creative workshops can offer beyond the finished piece. A gentle lift, a safe space, and a bit of lightness when someone needs it most. I’m grateful that pyrography can provide that, and I hope my future workshops continue to give people that same sense of joy and peace.
"Would highly recommend! Connie is a lovely teacher, so patient. Would recommend pyrography to any beginner. The class was well received and so much care and attention was taken, not only on the day but preparation too. I loved it and made some lovely things!"
My heart is truly warm and full. I loved every minute of hosting these workshops (even if I only remembered to put my Santa hat on at the very end of the day!). I hope this is the first of many more sessions to come and I’d love to welcome even more of you to join me next time.
Here’s to more creativity in the new year!
To join one of my upcoming workshops, please visit the Workshop page for more information.