Balsa burning - Christmas cards and wrapping paper

Sunset, Dec, 1988

This old-fashioned technique makes one-of-a-kind cards and wrapping paper

Requiring a taste for repetition but only a modicum of skill, the art of balsa burning can give greeting cards and holiday wrappings a whole new look. Simply sketch an image onto balsa and fill it with diamonds, dots, or whatever you fancy. Then glue the decorated strip onto paper, or else onto a sturdy block for printing.

We made eight cards in less than 2 hours; if you're a wood-burning novice, however, you may want to spend some time experimenting on wood scraps first. Remember that the thinner the balsa (say, 1/32 to 1/16 inch), the more quickly the tip will permeate and create a hole, which you may or may not want.

Materials

The main item to purchase is a woodburning tool, sold in kits for about $19. For cards and printing, we suggest 1/16and 1/2 -inch-thick balsa, respectively, but you can choose from a variety of thicknesses. All supplies listed below are available at art supply stores or hobby shops. To make 8 to 10 cards, you'll need:

* 1/16-inch-thick balsa (about $1.50 for a

4- by 36-inch strip)

* Small craft knife

* One or two sheets (about 25 by 36

inches) medium-weight art paper in any

color, and 8 to 10 matching envelopes

* Glue stick or craft glue

To make holiday wrap, buy:

* 1/4-inch-tbick balsa (about $1.50 for a

4- by 36-inch strip)

* Scrap wood for printing blocks (optional)

* Wood glue

* Tubes of water-base printer's ink (and a

paper plate for each color)

* Spray bottle for water

* Brayer ($6 to $12)

* Butcher paper or shelf-lining paper

* Felt or heavy cloth padding to go under

wrapping paper during printing Setting up your workspace. First preheat wood-burning tool (10 minutes), then protect your work surface with a square of corrugated cardboard. If you're making Christmas paper, have on hand a piece of felt or heavy fabric to slip under the paper; this will help you achieve a crisp, accurate impression during printing.

Making the greeting cards

Mark the balsa strip into eight 4-1/2-inchlong sections-or vary lengths, if you wish-then outline your patterns in light pencil. Don't draw tight curves or zigzags, since cutting these can split thin balsa.

Next, fill in design with the wood-burning tool, pressing lightly for sepia-toned impressions, longer and harder if you want to make a hole. To change the impression-for instance, from diamonds to dots-unplug tool, let cool (about 1 5 minutes), then replace with new tip design. (To save time, use two wood-burning tools; simply plug both in and keep the one you're not working with in a safe spot, since it can get very hot.) With small craft knife, cut around design or retain background as shown in wheat or thistle pattern, at left. Glue design to card, then press under books overnight so balsa doesn't warp.

Making the wrapping paper

Cut, mark, and burn balsa (see previous section), but glue designs to wood blocks instead of paper (if you use thick balsa-1/2 inch or more-omit blocks). Next, add a dab of ink to paper plate and smooth out with the brayer. Roll inkcovered brayer over balsa pattern, then stamp block on a paper scrap; if paint is too thick, spray color with water. Repeat for each stamp.

To use a new color, wash block with a damp sponge (don't immerse balsa in water). Some of the old color may appear in the first few impressions, creating a pleasant multicolored effect.