Sharing the Art of Pyrography
Exhibiting at The Creative Craft Show in Glasgow for the first time was an incredibly exciting experience for me. Not only was it my first time bringing my pyrography workshops and wood burning art to Scotland, but it was also one of the few times I’d visited the country. It felt like a real adventure from the very beginning.
Getting to the show was a milestone in itself. I drove the entire journey up to Glasgow (with my eyes open the whole time, I might proudly add!)
Driving such a long distance alone felt a little daunting, but arriving at the venue knowing I’d made the journey myself made the experience even more rewarding. As soon as it was time to set up for the show, the excitement (and relief of getting there safely!) really kicked in.
My reason for being at The Creative Craft Show Glasgow was to share my love and passion for pyrography and give visitors the chance to try the art of wood burning for themselves using tools they may never have come across before.
To prepare, I spent hours sanding hundreds of wooden eggs and bunny shapes, making sure each one was perfectly smooth and ready for burning. To help beginners feel confident, I added simple design templates so visitors could follow a line with the pyrography pens and create their own decorative piece.
Each wooden shape also had a ribbon attached so it could be hung as a decoration afterwards — although, as we discovered, ribbons and hot pyrography pens don’t always mix perfectly haha! A few ribbons may have been slightly burnt off during the process, but we soon fixed those little mishaps and carried on creating.
The designs available during the Make & Take sessions were inspired by spring and nature. Visitors could choose from floral designs, cute bunnies, sheep, butterfly patterns and more! Some participants decided to add colour to their creations, while others loved the natural look of burnt wood and pyrography shading, leaving their pieces beautifully simple and "au naturel." Seeing everyone create something different was one of the most rewarding parts of the show.
"Thank you so much for introducing me to pyrography - I'VE HAD SO MUCH FUN!! Connie, you're awesome - so friendly and patient and welcoming! I'd definitely love to try this again!" - Leah
One of the most memorable aspects of exhibiting in Glasgow was the incredible kindness and support from both visitors and fellow exhibitors. People were genuinely curious about pyrography as a craft, asking questions, watching demonstrations, and many trying wood burning for the very first time.
"Such a fun and wholesome experience! Adorable results and lovely instructor!" - NB
Craft shows always have a wonderful sense of community, and this event was no exception. I was lucky to be surrounded by some truly lovely people, including Sara from Fiddly Mosaics and Leigh from The Colour Dasher.
I was also very grateful for the support and big hugs of my good friends Tracey Spurgin and her husband Steve, who made the experience even more enjoyable. Always comforting to see some friendly faces when you're away from home!
By the end of the show I was definitely tired, but it was the best kind of tired. A few days filled with creativity, conversation, and sharing a love for handmade crafts is always incredibly rewarding.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity. Love your enthusiasm. Thank you for your support - I love this!" - SLP
Watching visitors leave with their handmade pyrography decorations that they had created themselves was a real highlight of the show. The joy, the smiles and the laughter made every moment worthwhile. Seeing people discover the art of wood burning and pyrography for the first time is always incredibly rewarding.
After the journey home, I’ve had a little time to rest and reflect, and I feel really proud of what was a fantastic first experience exhibiting in Scotland.
Next up is The Creative Craft Show in Birmingham, and I’m really looking forward to doing it all again; meeting new people, catching up with 'the regulars', sharing the art of pyrography, and helping more visitors create their own wood burned designs.
And hopefully this won’t be the last time I visit Glasgow. I’d absolutely love to return again in the future - if you'll have me, of course! Would you have me back? Let me know in the comments below!