Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Swisher.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a self-taught Pyrography Artist working out of my home studio in St. Charles, MO. I consider myself to be creative and a DIYer. Growing up, making homemade gifts, designing, and art was my passion. I had always dreamed of owning my own art-based business someday. That dream came true in September 2020 when I started my Etsy Shop, Flamewood Artisan.
Several months before that, I purchased a wood-burning tool for my husband for Father’s Day. I remember him telling me stories of using a wood-burning kit as a child and trying to burn the wood. I thought it would be a fun way for him to develop a new relaxing hobby. Unfortunately, his interest just wasn’t there any longer. I knew I didn’t want “his” new toy to go to waste, so I decided to try it myself.
Needless to say, I fell in love with the art form, and since that day I haven’t stopped! I decided to try my first pet portrait for my niece and a home portrait for myself. I love the idea of burning realistic images onto unfinished pieces of wood. I did enlist the help of my husband when it came to procuring, cutting, and assembling the wood pieces and products I now offer.
Like myself, he has been creating and building all types of wood projects since he was a teenager. You can often find us collaborating together on new product options. I strive to create functional home decor and artwork that will be useful, inspiring, and cherished for years to come. After less than a year of selling both locally and through my Etsy shop, I decided to focus on my art business full time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My husband would say keeping my wood products in stock, due to wood supply shortages has been a challenge. We try to source all of our wood from local suppliers. The price of wood also saw a huge price increase this past year.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Pyrography involves using a hot metal tool with interchangeable pens or tips and a steady hand to make burn marks on the wood. Many people confuse what I do with laser engraving done by a computerized machine. I do all of my artwork by hand, stroke by stroke. For pet and home portraits, I ask customers to provide a clear resolution photo I use as a reference.
You can see the progression of a pet portrait from the photo I supplied. By slightly changing the temperature of the heating tool or changing pen tips, I am able to create intricate details, such as a pet’s fur or a person’s skin tone. I also include color on some of my pieces using Prisma color pencils. All of my pieces are finished with UV protectant spray and water-based polyurethane or food-safe oil for charcuterie and serving trays.
I love capturing life in my custom pieces, whether that be a beloved pet, a family home, or an idea that a client has floating around in their head. I love when a client requests something that challenges me as an artist. My biggest blessing has come from others entrusting me to create something special for them. I hope the pieces I create will bring wonderful memories for many years.
I had a friend commission me to wood burn a portrait of their parents, in memory of their mom who passed away several years before. The portraits were gifts for his siblings at Christmas. I love hearing the stories of awe and appreciation from the recipient. I also like that most of my wood products, for example, charcuterie boards, handwritten recipe cookbook stands, serving trays, and wood boxes are all made locally by my wood smith, aka “husband”.
What do you think about luck?
I don’t know if I would call it good luck, I prefer to think I have God by my side. I have always believed that each of us is blessed by a certain gift and we should use our gifts for the good of God. Faith and integrity are always at the center of everything I do, including my business and how I treat my clients.
Contact Info:
- Email: flamewoodart@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FlamewoodArtisan?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=865499935
- Instagram: @flamewoodart
- Facebook: Flamewood Artisan
