Simon Easton, the maker behind Wood Tattoos
An introduction to Simon and his crafting background
Simon Easton studied a BA (Hons) Three-Dimensional Design degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he focussed on woodturning, silversmithing and pewterware. His pewter napkin ring set was one of the MMU winners of the Pewter Live 1999 competition and was displayed at Pewterers’ Hall in London. He won a Precious Metals Bursary and a Grant from the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths to produce design concepts that he had developed. The common theme in Simon’s work was a decorative and textural feel, often rich in embellishment or pattern.
Before graduating in 2000, Simon’s design for a wooden turned decorative bowl was selected for inclusion in the onetree project. This project, which toured the UK as an exhibition, stemmed from the use of one single ailing oak tree distributed to a range of artists, designers, manufacturers and craftspeople. Every single part of the tree (from the leaves to roots) was used to create a stirring and diverse display of talent, which was also featured in a book published to accompany the tour. For the onetree exhibition, Simon created a decorative turned wooden bowl with a spun pewter insert, entitled Wish, Hope, Dream, Everything.
Simon’s crafting focus and love of wood led him to the art of pyrography, which he uses with a contemporary twist to create richly decorative items and gifts. The result is a diverse and exciting body of work released since 2007 under his business name of Wood Tattoos. He has created a varied range of works and commissions, regularly selling at craft fairs and galleries and accepting custom orders at www.woodtattoos.com. He has also actively sought to help up and coming newcomers to the craft through demonstration events and online forums.
Simon is the author of three books on the subject of pyrography, namely Woodburning with Style (2010), Learn to Burn (2013) and Yearn to Burn (2019). The first book is a comprehensive guide to the art of pyrography from start to finish, whilst the latest two each contain a series of projects designed to help beginners build their experience and to assist more experienced crafters in expanding their creativity. All books were released by Fox Chapel Publishing and have received positive feedback from readers around the world, with Learn to Burn recently having passed over 100,000 sales. Simon’s creations have also regularly featured in Fox Chapel’s Pyrography magazine, a compilation of projects and features alongside the works of a host of international pyrographers.
In February 2018, Simon also appeared live on UK television to spread awareness of pyrography as a craft, demonstrating during a feature and interview on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.
You can keep up to date with his latest designs through his regular social media updates at www.facebook.com/woodtattoos or www.instagram.com/wood_tattoos
Wood Tattoos 