How to Create Hand-Carved Wooden Ornaments Using an Engraving Pen?
Some tutorials teach technique. Others quietly reveal a way of working with your hands, your materials and your time. In this video, artist and designer Stephanie, founder of Stephanie Art and Design, does both — guiding viewers through the creation of hand-carved wooden ornaments while sharing a philosophy rooted in nature, craft and thoughtful making.
Viewed through a professional engraving lens, this tutorial is a beautiful example of how engraving pens can be used to add texture, personality and warmth to wood, even for beginners.
An Artist Inspired by Nature and Wood
Stephanie’s work is deeply influenced by the natural world. This connection shows not only in her designs, but in her choice of material. Wood — particularly basswood — plays a central role in this project because of its soft grain, smooth surface and forgiving nature.
For engraved work, these qualities matter. A smoother grain reduces chatter, allows cleaner cuts and gives the artist greater control over line and depth. From a professional perspective, this material sensitivity is one of the foundations of successful engraving.
Tools and Materials for Wooden Ornament Engraving
The tutorial centres around the use of an engraving pen, paired with a simple but effective selection of materials:
- A basswood round ornament (or any smooth-grain wood)
- An engraving pen with interchangeable tips
- A pencil for sketching the design
- Paint or markers for colouring the surface
- Twine or ribbon for hanging
- Scissors and basic safety awareness
This pared-back toolkit reinforces an important point: meaningful engraved work does not require excessive equipment — only intention, care and familiarity with your tools.
Step 1 - Preparing the Surface for Engraving
Before carving begins, Stephanie paints the surface of the wooden ornament in a dark colour, such as deep green. This step is not merely decorative. Dark backgrounds create strong contrast, allowing the engraved areas to stand out clearly once the wood is carved back.
From an engraving standpoint, this approach enhances legibility and visual depth. Lighter paints can obscure carved lines, while darker tones amplify texture. Leaving or painting the border is left intentionally flexible, reinforcing the customisable nature of the project.
Step 2 - Sketching the Design: Planning Before Cutting
The design — a festive word paired with snowflakes and winter motifs — is first drawn lightly in pencil. This stage is essential. Pencil allows for adjustment, erasure and refinement without commitment.
Professionally, this step represents respect for the material. Engraving is subtractive; once wood is removed, it cannot be replaced. Planning reduces errors and encourages confident carving once the pen touches the surface.
Step 3 - Carving Technique: Control, Direction and Depth
When carving begins, the engraving pen is set to a higher speed to allow clean, decisive cuts. One key technique Stephanie highlights is always carving away from the body — a principle rooted in both safety and precision.
Carving away provides better control and smoother motion. The artist can rotate the wood rather than forcing awkward hand positions. This subtle adjustment dramatically improves line quality and reduces fatigue.
Depth also matters. Grazing the surface produces uneven results, especially when paint has seeped into the grain. Applying confident pressure allows the engraving to reach cleaner wood beneath, creating crisp, readable lines.
Step 4 - Managing Wood Dust and Surface Cleanliness
As material is removed, fine wood dust accumulates — both in the air and inside carved grooves. Wearing a mask is recommended, and periodically clearing dust from the engraved lines improves finish quality.
From a professional engraving perspective, cleanliness directly affects visual clarity. Dust left in grooves dulls contrast and hides detail. Gentle passes with the engraving pen and controlled airflow help maintain sharpness without damaging the work.
Step 5 - Correcting Mistakes with Confidence
Mistakes are part of handmade work, and this tutorial embraces that reality. Small errors can be corrected by dabbing paint into unwanted marks, allowing them to dry evenly and blend back into the background.
This approach highlights an important truth in engraving: perfection is not the absence of mistakes, but the ability to resolve them thoughtfully. Small adjustments often disappear entirely once the piece is complete.
Step 6 - Adding Texture with Snowflakes and Decorative Details
Using the rounded engraving tip, Stephanie creates snowflakes through simple pressing and rotating motions. Dots, intersecting lines and repeated marks build visual rhythm across the surface.
This technique demonstrates how engraving pens excel at creating texture. Repetition with variation allows the artist to add richness without overwhelming the design. These micro-details catch light differently, adding dimension and charm to the finished ornament.
Step 7 - Refining Details with Finer Engraving Tips
To clean up rough edges and sharpen lines, the engraving pen tip is changed to a finer, diamond-core bit. This process — loosening the securing screw, replacing the bit and tightening it carefully — underscores the importance of tool familiarity and safety.
Finer tips allow for controlled refinement, particularly in lettering and tight spaces. From a professional standpoint, this step elevates the piece from handmade to well-crafted.
Step 8 - Finishing the Ornament
Once carving is complete, the ornament is finished simply by threading twine or ribbon through the top and trimming it to length. The result is a lightweight, personalised decoration ready to be hung, gifted or adapted for other projects.
Its versatility is key. While designed as a Christmas ornament, the same techniques apply to signage, keepsakes and decorative objects throughout the year.
Craft, Customisation and the Value of Engraving
This tutorial is more than a seasonal craft guide. It illustrates how engraving pens empower artists to work intuitively with wood, adding texture and personality through direct, tactile engagement.
At Resparked, we recognise these same principles in professional engraving: respect for materials, intentional design and marks made by hand that carry character. Whether for art, gifting or everyday objects, engraving remains a craft where personality is not printed — it is carved. Explore engraved pieces that celebrate texture, individuality and lasting craftsmanship with Resparked.
