One of my absolute favourite creative spaces, By HeatherMay is always such a welcoming place to spend time. Nestled in the heart of Ripley, it’s a true hub of creativity – offering everything from candle-making and pottery to silver jewellery, and of course, pyrography. The moment you step through the door, you’re met with warmth, inspiration, and that lovely sense that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
On Saturday, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting two half-day woodburning workshops there – one in the morning and one in the afternoon – and what a wonderful day it was!
Heather greeted me with her usual warmth (and yes, the kettle was already on!). The studio felt as cosy and inviting as ever, filled with the gentle scent of handmade candles and that unmistakable buzz of creative anticipation.
Both sessions followed the same relaxed and friendly structure that works so beautifully. We began with some simple mark-making exercises, giving everyone the chance to get comfortable with the pyrography pens. We explored lines, dots, textures and shading techniques – taking time to build confidence before diving into our first proper project.
"Wow, what a fabulous time we've had. Connie was an excellent tutor, made us feel relaxed and confident that we could do it. Thank you for a great experience."
Our first creations of the day were wooden coasters. Using carbon paper, participants carefully transferred their chosen designs onto the wood, ready to begin burning. This time, I brought along a selection of new seasonal designs to reflect the time of year, which was lovely – it always keeps things feeling fresh and inspiring. Even more special, though, was seeing some participants arrive with their own designs ready to go. There’s something so lovely about watching someone bring a personal idea to life on wood – it adds an extra layer of meaning to the finished piece.
"Really enjoyed this workshop. The process was explained incredibly well, and I felt confident from the start. There were options for all kinds of styles, so if you wanted a simple or complex design it was up to you. Not rushed at all."
As always, once everyone settled into the rhythm of burning, the room became beautifully quiet. That gentle focus, the delicate touch on the wood, and the shared sense of calm is such a joy to witness. Pyrography really does have a mindful magic to it.
"Fantastic day! I didn't expect it to be as relaxing as it is. Also the tracing and burning over made it great to show detail for someone who is not crafty or artistic, I loved it!"
There was also a wonderfully lively atmosphere outside the studio window throughout the day thanks to the Ay Up Me Duck Trail! The trail launched on Saturday 14 February and is running for 10 weeks, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the area in a fun, creative, self-led way. Across the borough, eight large, selfie-ready duck sculptures have popped up in the four market towns of Alfreton, Belper, Heanor and Ripley.
We had lots of people wandering past the window, peering in and smiling as they tried to spot the duck displayed inside the shop. It added such a cheerful buzz to the day! At one point, a young man popped in especially to gift Heather the sweetest little duck as a surprise. It was such a thoughtful gesture and completely made our day – such a simple act of kindness, but so heartwarming.
(Side note: the trail is still running, so if you’re local and haven’t taken part yet, there’s still time to join in the fun!)
After a quick break and a little chance to chat, eat cake, and admire each other’s coasters, we moved on to the second project: chopping boards!
This is always the moment where confidence really starts to shine. Having practised on their coasters, everyone approached their boards with a little more boldness and creativity. Some chose the seasonal designs, while others developed their own ideas further. Watching each board slowly come to life, shaded details deepening, lines growing more assured, is honestly one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.
"The pyrography workshop was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Connie was very informative and helpful. The materials provided were lovely and the timeframe of 3 hours was perfect. Will definitely try this craft again."
Every single piece was completely unique. From delicate botanical patterns to more personalised motifs, the variety was just beautiful. It’s amazing how the same tools and techniques can produce such wonderfully individual results.
Once the burning was complete, we treated all the finished pieces with Odie's Super Duper Everlasting food-safe oil, enriching the wood grain and protecting the designs. That final step always feels a bit magical – the wood deepens in colour and the artwork truly pops. Seeing everyone hold up their finished boards with proud smiles never gets old.
"Thank you so much! This has been one of my favourite workshops to do. I didn't think I would be able to make something so I'm leaving very happy and proud! Very good workshop, great pace and can really be creative with it - thank you!"
Spending the day at By HeatherMay is always such a pleasure. The studio has this incredible ability to make people feel instantly at ease, whether they’re seasoned crafters or trying something completely new. Both the morning and afternoon groups brought such lovely energy – supportive, curious, and full of creativity.
I left on Saturday feeling incredibly grateful (and just a little tired in the best possible way!). Hosting two sessions back-to-back is busy, but seeing so many people discover – or rediscover – their creative spark makes it more than worthwhile.
"Doing the pyrography workshops was an excellent afternoon. As a novice, and not especially 'arty', I found the instruction easy to follow and great fun to do. I am looking forward to hanging my efforts in my kitchen!"
A huge thank you to Heather for being the most wonderful host, and to everyone who joined me and made the day so special. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
To join one of my upcoming workshops, please visit the Workshop page for more information.