OK I have officially moved on from pallet wood to birch as my go to obsession. Birch fits in so perfectly with my home décor style, bringing in natural texture and personality. Birch trees and birch bark are in themselves works of art with limitless uses and opportunities for combining with other elements to create even more beauty!
I have several different size and shape birch vases and planters and have been dying to try burning a heart into as you would see on a real tree where someone romantically declared their love. Being a florist in February I am thinking love and romance 24/7 these days. And my daughter is just starting to plan her wedding which she envisions in a tent with lots of natural décor elements. So, if not now when?
OK – first try and I nailed it – Casey and Kyle both loved it! And I’ve gotten a few requests from friends for Valentine’s Day!
It is so easy to do and inexpensive as well. I ordered the most basic, least expensive wood burning pen to get started. It was all I needed for now for this type of project.
I used pre-made birch bark containers but you can also buy strips of birch bark that you can wrap around any container that you have.
I found it easy to sketch my design out first to be sure that it was the right size and to make sure that I was positioning it correctly on the container.
Cut your design out and tape it into position on the container.
You can start burning right onto the paper. You will go over the design with your wood burning pen a few times. This step is to give you the basic outline and sizing of your design.
You just need to touch the tool in spots along your designs. You can lift your paper on one side to check to see if you have enough of your design burnt on to the birch to be able to finish it free hand.
After you have removed the paper pattern go over your design a few times until you are happy with the way it looks.
Once you touch the tool to the birch it is permanently burnt so it is better to do multiple small, lighter strokes and build your design as you go.
It’s hard to make a mistake because the idea is for it to look as if it was carved into a tree.
I followed the same process with the larger container using such initials and a simpler heart.
In both arrangements, I used lavender and green flowers and foliage, including cut succulents, antique hydrangea, and lavender roses, that air dry beautifully. I photographed this arrangement 2 weeks after I originally created it!
I am now in the process of waxing some of the flowers to be able to enjoy them for longer and in different stages of beauty! I will share those results and how to’s with you shortly!
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