I spent years in retail selling other people’s products in big box stores and, to be honest, I was pretty good at it. Promoting the things other people create was “easy” for me. This was especially true if I knew about the item and felt strongly enough about it that I could back it.

The one thing I am not comfortable promoting or selling, however, is my own creations. 

“Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological experience of intellectual and professional infraudulence.”

Imposter syndrome is “the subjective experience of perceived self-doubt in one’s abilities and accomplishments compared with others, despite evidence to suggest the contrary.” Truth be told, I know I am good at what I do. My pieces are beautiful, the lines crisp (so much so that it is often mistaken for machine-made), and the painting is clean and vibrant. There are some pieces I am more proud of than others, especially on my more intricate works, but somehow when talking about myself something gets lost. Promoting my work feels so much like boasting and bragging. I subconsciously fight with the voice in my head telling me that being proud of my work is “wrong” and that humility is what I should be striving for. 

Unfortunately, being unable to promote myself is not conducive to a profitable business. Being able to promote yourself in order to attract buyers or customers or patrons is critical to success. Fortunately, I have Brian. He truly is my biggest supporter, advocator, cheerleader, and partner. We work very well together at markets because I can sit on the side and quietly burn, while he engages people. Networking events are a different story. I can’t go hide in a corner and wait for someone to approach me. I have to leave my comfort zone and engage with people myself. This is definitely a work in progress.

I met a metal worker, Jill (@JillMelyssa) at a coffee networking event hosted by The Guild Of Charlotte Arts (@guildofcharlotteartists). She makes unique, beautiful jewelry pieces. She asked me to attend a fashion show with her recently. As I work mainly with wood, it isn’t really in my scene, but I had never been to an art fashion show. The artist Jonay Di Ragno (@jonay_di_ragno) is a mixed-media artist, who works with canvas, acrylics, glass, clothing, and other media. It was a fun night, the art was beautiful and the fashion so unique. It was out of my normal networking circles, but I spoke to a few people and made some connections. I did not think I would be able to do that, because to me fashion and pyrography are in two different worlds. But I soon realized by talking with attendees that I was wrong. I burn on cotton and leather, which is wearable. Bags and purses can be made of wood which, also, I can burn into. I realized that there could be opportunities for collaboration. If I had allowed my self-doubt and fears to be dominant I would not have had the opportunity to expand my horizons and think about where that could take me.

Do you struggle to get out of your comfort zone? What is your success story. Tag us @bz_furfur and share it with us and, as always, stay unique.

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As a crafter, I have taught myself many different skills. Various forms of fiber crafts: knitting, crochet, embroidery, Tatting (creating lace), and macrame. Jewelry making, watercolor painting (I am not so good at this one), diamond painting, and of course Pyrography just to name a few.

When I started the business in 2021, I knew I couldn’t do all the things I knew because it would be way too much, plus many of those crafts take time to make. Realistically, I also knew that the market was over-saturated with many of those crafts. So I had to think about what I wanted to focus on, what did I want to do? What would be my focus. I have always been someone who immerses themselves in whatever craft/art I have decided to teach myself. I had been wanting to try wood burning for a while. I had a pyrography pen for years and never really tried it. I knew if I wanted to give it a go, I needed to leave my comfort zone and try a new medium. I would have to step out of my comfort zone. Never one to back down from learning a new craft, I did some research, watched some YouTube, bought a book, and some wood blanks, and dove in!

3 years later, it’s 2024 and I know I have grown so much. In my art. So much so that I am trying to move into a fine art realm. I started with SVGs, and simple pictures – essentially coloring books/pictures on wood. I sold many pieces this way at markets, many of which prompted people to want custom orders. My goal, though, is I want to do fine art. I see the work of people I look up to and I strive for the realism, crispness, and emotions it evokes as well as the prices they command. So I have been practicing with more realistic pictures, practicing the patience and techniques required for a piece that will take hours if not days rather than a few hours. It’s uncomfortable for me as I like to “be done” with a project. I have in my head that I want to be done in 20 hours or fewer. It’s a conscious practice to focus on the current project, each line, and think about THIS project and how it needs to be created rather than the next one after this project. But I have started the transition and it feels less and less uncomfortable each time. I am confident at some point it will stop being uncomfortable altogether.

What have you taken on that was uncomfortable at first? Tag us @bz_furfur and, as always, stay unique.

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“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

I am an artist.  It took me a long time to admit that to myself.  Before making this realization I would describe myself as crafty. Even after doing pyrography professionally for three years, it is hard to call myself an artist.  As an artist, I struggle to to decide if I should focus on making what I love, or what I think other people will love. If I make what other people will love I have to sacrifice my own desires, but if I make what I love I don’t know if there will there be a market for it.

“There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down simply by spending his money somewhere else.” 

–  Sam Walton

I will often find myself trying to follow trends. Trying to understand what the customer wants and creating something that will satisfy them. At the end of the day making art is ultimately appeasing the customer.  This often means walking around markets and seeing what others are making or searching trending hashtags on Instagram to see what people are excited about. The problem is trying to follow these trends often means that my products are carbon copies of what is at everyone else’s table at the shows or what everyone else has on their website.

“Know what your customers want most and what your company does best. Focus on where those two meet.”

– Keven Stirtz

The best thing I’ve found to do is determine what you are good at that. Do your absolute best to create a unique product and talk to customers to adapt your style to match what they love. This may mean making some concessions to your particular style. This is not a bad thing.  If you can learn to adapt to your customers, ultimately, you will find a place where your talent and what he customer wants meet.

“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. So do it.”

– Kurt Vonnegut

At the end of the day, it is important that you are making art that both you, and your customer, will love.  And, as always, stay unique.

“Ignoring what sells doesn’t make you a better artist, it makes you a starving artist.”

– Marie Forleo

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A Yin to My Yang

• Pyrography: the art or technique of decorating various mediums such wood, leather, paper, or canvas by burning a design on the surface with a heated metallic point.
• Woodburning: creating designs by burning onto wood.
• Lichtenberg burning (aka fractal burning, wood fracking): Woodburning technique where a Lichtenberg figure is burnt into wood using high voltage electricity

As a pyrographer, I have been fortunate enough to meet fellow artists who do woodburning. Back in 2022, I met two such artists, Jessica and Drew Crowley of Crowleys Crafty Creations. Jessica creates Lichtenberg pieces.  We met at a particularly slow market and I absolutely fell in love with some of her work. As you often do at the end of a slow market, we exchanged some pieces and I bought some others with the intention of adding my own art to hers thus creating something truly unique.

Finding Inspiration

I like to spend ample time looking at her pieces waiting for inspiration. Some pieces speak to me and invoke a thought or feeling. The first piece I ever made using one of her designs was a table and bench set. The goal was to create something rustic so I added mountains and trees. The other piece I made last year was a lighthouse. The fractals reminded me of a bolt of lightning on a stormy sea.

This year, I was inspired to create a ship on the high seas fighting nature’s wrath. That piece is called Stormy Seas and is a favorite at art shows. A more recent piece reminded me of the delicate branches of a tree. This inspired Sakura, a piece reminiscent of Japanese cherry blossoms in full bloom. Crowleys and I will be sharing a booth at Charlotte Pride (August 17 and 18) this year and I plan to have a set of collaborative pieces to show. Some upcoming pieces will be based on the majestic beauty of Magnolia Trees, literary classics like Lord Of the Rings, and lighthouses.

Do you have any inspirational stories about collaborations you’ve been a part of? Tag us @bz_furfur and tell us your story. And, as always, stay unique.

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J. K. Rowling: Author of the Harry Potter series Rowling is the creative mind behind the unforgettable magicians of Hogwarts. I fell in love with this book series when it was first printed and would wait outside Borders on release day to get the hardcovers when they were released. This series is a staple in our house and we often bring these books up to discuss the lore of these amazing novels

George R R Martin: The mastermind behind the Game of Thrones series. This book series, which spawned the amazing HBO series, is a tremendous showcase of world-building and fantasy. Full of tension and betrayal both the books and the show keep you on the edge of your seat.

J. R. R. Tolkien: The grandfather of fantasy novels, Tolkien is responsible for what is probably the most well-known book series in the genre: The Lord of the Rings. These books established much of what we know as fantasy today with many of the creatures and lore being adopted in books, movies, shows, and games for years to come. These books gave us memorable characters, a compelling story of adventure and friendship, and a range of emotions as our heroes traveled the countryside to save their world from corruption.

Kurt Vonnegut: A satirist and a cynic Vonnegut was a master of his craft. Creating stories like Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions that merged modern fiction and sci-fi to create engaging stories and compelling characters with what seemed like ease. His novels and short stories made us laugh and reflect on ourselves in a way that few authors are capable of.

Each of these authors has served as an inspiration to me in my pyrography. What authors have given you inspiration in your craft? Tag us @bz_furfur and, as always, stay unique.

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It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.

As an artist, we often look at the works of others with a great sense of awe. By comparing ourselves and our work to that of other artists we often feel less satisfied with our own creations. Maybe another artist uses a technique that we have never been able to master, has access to tools or creative spaces that we don’t, or has an innate talent that we don’t. Sometimes it is okay to look to others’ work to help inspire us, but often it is more important to follow our own journey.

Looking to others for inspiration

There are so many great artists.  As a pyrography artist I will often look at others in the community to learn new techniques, get ideas on tools and mediums that may work better for different projects, or to simply get inspired. I don’t limit it to just my particular craft, either. Every art style inspires me in some way. Being that I paint my pieces learning about different paint mediums and techniques can take me beyond my current abilities. Even looking at the work of artists who work in completely different styles and genres can help shape my approach to my own works.

Taking the time to learn

Learning new techniques is great but actually getting good at it and working it into my flow can be a challenge.  As a bit of a perfectionist, I do not like to do something unless it meets my standards. So, when I want to try burning a particular texture or style of shading I may have to work at it over and over again until I am happy with the end result. This could mean it may be days, weeks, or even months before I would be comfortable selling a piece that incorporates this technique.  Unfortunately, this can be a bit disheartening at times because it feels that I am not making the progress that I am happy with. Instead, it feels like treading water.  The most important thing is to reflect on your progress.

Reflecting on your growth

As time goes on you are going to improve.  By learning from others and practicing you are, inevitably, going to get better at your craft. It may not seem like it when you are struggling to learn something new or you are comparing your work to that of others.  That is why it is so important to look at your previous works and compare them to your current work.  Take a piece that you did months or years ago and do it again using the new techniques that you have developed.  See how far you’ve come and appreciate your own growth instead of comparing it to the works of others.

Do you have an example of a piece that you re-made recently that shows how much you’ve improved? Share it and tag us @bz_furfur and show us your progress.  And, as always, stay unique.

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Hank’s Farm

Every project that I take on is special in its own way. Sometimes it’s because of the meaningfulness of the piece to the client. Other times it is because it gives me an opportunity to create something new and unique that I may use techniques or mediums I have never worked with before. Often times it is simply because it is unlike any of my previous work.

I recently had an opportunity to work with a family I met at a market who wanted to commission a piece for their father. The piece was going to be something he could hang up in his workshop. What made this piece so unique was the size of it. It was to be on a six-foot by 13-inch piece of spalted red oak. This was the biggest piece I have worked on to date and, I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous at first.

Nevertheless, I went off to Carolina Urban Lumber to see what they had and I found this gorgeous canvas to create this piece. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to burn such a large piece with my tools but, low and behold, my Razortip was more than up to the task. The final product, well, I’ll let her speak to that

“Zona is absolutely amazing! Her artwork is one of a kind and the piece she made for my family is so special and unique. Her professionalism makes working with her a blast and this commission was everything I could have asked for and more! Thank you Zona!”

It is absolutely wonderful when a piece just comes together in this way. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember to share what you are thankful for and tag us @bz.furfur. See you all next week and, remember, stay unique.

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There is no one alive who is Youer than You

I love getting requests for commissions. When a prospective customer looks at my product it is evident when a piece speaks to them. Their demeanor changes, a look of awe crosses their face, and you can sense their excitement. This is usually followed by something along the lines of “I like this, but what I would really love is …”. Most of the time, given what they are asking is not too far outside my wheelhouse, I can create what they are asking for. Then comes the fun part; collaborating with a customer and bringing their special one-of-a-kind piece to life. This is the part I love.

Where you are, that is home

One’s home is a source of comfort, peace, and safety. We fill it with memories, laughter, and things that remind us of the best moments of our lives. Once I watched an artist paint a watercolor of a house and was inspired to do the same thing with pyrography.  I had taken one of Renee‘s classes on textures and decided this would be a great opportunity to put this new skill to the test. On a whim, and as a personal challenge to myself, I did a burn of my own house. As with most artists, I am very critical of my work, analyzing every slight imperfection, however, I was still extremely proud of that piece regardless. This piece is prominently displayed at every market I attend as an example of what I can do and to inspire ideas in others.

At a recent market, a young lady saw this piece and knew she needed one for her own home. After discussing all the logistics I quickly got to work on the piece as soon as I got back to my studio. The final product was a gorgeous accompaniment to her mantle and I was very honored that she trusted me with this very personal art.

If you are looking for a custom piece of your own don’t hesitate to reach out. The holidays are coming and now is the time to get your requests in for commissions. Thank you for reading and I’ll see y’all next week.

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I went to Atlanta, GA for a few days this month so I could spend some time with my best friend. Although we are not too far from each other (we were much further apart when I lived in NY) it is still hard to get together. 10-15 years ago, it was so much easier: I would drive to his house, and demand company for whatever shenanigans we decided on for the day. Then we got older and things changed: we decided to move away in the hope of a better life. We still got together once or twice a year, but it wasn’t the same. He would go up to NY to hang out with me for a few days. 3 years ago I decided to change MY life, and I decided to move to NC. Granted we are closer in distance than we were, but it’s still not so easy to get together. He came to NC a few times but according to BFF code, it was high time I visited GA again. So off I went! This time I drove instead of flying. 

As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian. The thought of helping animals be better, and get better spoke to my heart. Things change over time and my choice of profession changed. My love for animals (clearly) has not. If I could have a zoo I would.

We spent a whole day at my favorite Aquarium: The Georgia Aquarium. AND IT WAS AMAZING! I LOVE their big tank (the viewing room is 60 feet wide and 30 feet tall).  I think I sat there for about an hour just watching thousands of species of fish swim by, including 2 whale sharks. One day I want to get my scuba license and go scuba in that tank! We saw a Sea Lion show and a Dolphin show. It’s a good thing it was hot outside, and I was wearing shorts and waterproof shoes because I sat in the splash zone. It was amazing to be able to be so close to them. We wandered the whole aquarium for about 6 hours. I am looking forward to going back again.

I am also a  big Harry Potter fan (Ravenclaw, anyone?). We went to a popular restaurant called Amore e Amore that has themed dinners. They decorate the establishment with a theme. This night it was a Harry Potter/Halloween night. The food was delicious, the drinks too. I had a butterbeer and it was so good!

We walked and wandered, found a new bookstore, and an old favorite Asian food market, and discovered a “new” (to us) TV show. Like old times the we were younger, we simply hung out and talked.

I got the chance to explore our world a few times this summer – from Iceland to Ireland to Georgia. It’s important to take some time and refill your personal “feel good” cup. 

But now it’s back to the grind! We’ve got markets coming up and special orders to do!

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Finding Your Voice

Many artists try to follow trends. They watch what is popular online, at fairs, and on television and try to replicate that themselves in order to capitalize on what’s marketable. I’m not going to lie, this is not a bad strategy. People gravitate to what is familiar to them. I, myself, have made many pieces because it is trending on social media or because I see someone else at a pop-up with a full booth of paying customers. That is finding a market but not necessarily finding a voice.

Finding a voice means that you have an opportunity to create the things that you love and that you aspire to make. It is finding your muse and making the thing that you would want to buy, not something that you think someone else would want to buy. This is the dream of being an artist, being a trendsetter, and being an inspiration to others.

Finding Your Audience

Here is the rub: you can find your voice but how do you find the people to connect with. Sites like Twitter, Pinterest, and Reddit allow you to find like-minded individuals but making that connection to people in a mass of millions is more than a bit challenging. You always feel like a carnival barker yelling at passers-by to look at your stuff.

A lot can be said for selling online but, with art especially, connecting with people in person is always going to be the best approach. For me, I like to ask people to run their hands over the piece and feel the grain of the wood. This, in my mind, is how you find people who appreciate your work, understand the effort that goes into it, to feel the same passion for the product as I felt when I sat down to make it. I don’t know how this can ever be replicated without getting your product into people’s hands.

The Right Audience

Getting in front of people is all well in good but there is something even more important about getting in front of the right people. Not every piece is going to resonate with every person. Putting your product up in a retail space that is marketed towards discount shoppers is not going to connect you with the right clientele. Trying to sell artwork at a farmer’s market may not help you if the attendees came with the intention of buying fruits and veggies.

Just remember, the next time you are sitting in a booth and no one is stopping by, or you have your product up in a retail store and the money isn’t coming in you might just have chosen the wrong venue. For every failed venture on your journey, you’ll find another that you resonate with the people you meet and, when that happens, you make sure to hold on to it. We’ve had tremendous success at Charlotte Pride, at art shows, and at certain pop-ups around the city, and, as a result, we make sure to attend those again and again while the ones that don’t fair as well, we leave those for those folks who can connect with those audiences.

Don’t lose hope. Your audience is out there and you just need to find them.

By the way: Speaking of finding an audience we certainly found an audience at Your Local Game Store in Charlotte. Check out their Facebook for a post on a piece we just delivered and have on display there.

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