Woodburning: Decorative Gourd Birdhouse

Instructor: Jan Carney

Day & Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuition: $70.00

Ages: 18 and up.

We will cover basic skills such as temperature control, shading, image transferring, and how to texture. The instructor will cover safety, how to finish, color (if desired), and how to preserve the pyrography design. Students will come away with artwork and the knowledge to continue at home. Practice pieces will be used.

Experience Level: All levels are welcome. No experience required.

Students Please Bring:

• Note taking materials.
• (Optional) A woodburning kit will be provided for workshop use, however, you’re welcome to bring one, preferably either The Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool (Amazon), or The Plaid Decorative Woodburning Set (Walmart)
• (Optional) A snack and/or water bottle. Filtered water is available in the classroom.

Instructor provided materials are included with an estimated $25.00 FEE PAYABLE TO THE INSTRUCTOR at the time of the workshop. Material fees may change depending on the number of participants and price of materials at the workshop. *Payment by cash or check is required for materials fees. 

* Workshops are subject to low enrollment cancellation if the minimum number of 4 students is not reached. You can check enrollment listed below the workshop photo. We do update these manually so if you have any questions, you’re welcome to call Olive’s Porch for more information.

About Instructor: After retiring from Nursing, Jan began to paint and since then, she has taken over a dozen classes in different subjects such as watercolor, acrylics, mixed media, and basketry. Jan says, “I continue to take classes, as I feel, you can always learn something new!” She currently works in several mediums including pyrography, watercolor, acrylics, mixed media, graphite, and colored pencils. She often assists watercolor classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School and is the current coordinator of the Blue Ridge Drawing Group, occasionally joining the Blue Ridge Carvers meetings as well. Jan teaches pyrography at Gilmer Arts, Blue Ridge Arts Association, and Olive's Porch. Jan says, “I assist Suzanne DesLauriers at John C. Campbell Folk School when she has a watercolor class there.  Recently, one of my own watercolor paintings, Forest Floor, was accepted at the Georgia Watercolor Society National Juried show to be held at the Morris Museum in Augusta, GA.” Jan moved to Fannin County in 1988 and currently is at home in the Dial area with her husband, Reid Carney, her son and his wife, and two dogs. “We raise chickens, honeybees, and will soon add rabbits to the mix! Working with my art really makes me feel alive and I love it when I see people appreciate and enjoy my creations!”