Torch crafts, me? Yup! It’s been exactly a year since I signed on to be a Torch Bearer for Bernzomatic. Honestly, I was TERRIFIED at the beginning, but you know what? Now I’m a pro at this torch thing! I’m an avid user and confidant to work with fire on my crafts. I want to inspire all of you to give this a try, it’s much easier than you think!
As long as you embrace the safety measures, you’ll be good to go! Bernzomatic makes a wide range of torches, so far I’ve taken a liking to the two smallest. This year I plan to move up to the bigger sizes. You guys have to hold me to it!
My safety tips for working with a torch:
Wear goggles and gloves.
Work in an open space, free of debris.
Work on top of a heat safe surface, I use a Kiln Shelf
that I bought at a local ceramics shop (you can also buy online). For smaller projects, use a firebrick.
Always keep the flame pointed away from you.
Read the instructions and watch video tutorials.
Practice and have fun!
Alrighty then, here are some really HOT projects to try! All the supplies needed are listed within each project.
S’more Sundae
This is a good one for newbies – hello, you are toasting marshmallows without a campfire! There are scores of other food ideas too, but this is a great gateway project to that! LINK.
Lap Desk with Burned Wood Finish
This is from a fellow Torch Bearer, the AZ DIY Guy! He shows step-by-step how to construct this manly lapdesk. Look how beautiful the wood looks after he torched it! LINK.
Custom Silver Bezels
I visited a local jewelry craft and bead store and bought small plates of silver, as well as decorative edging. This was my first big torch DIY, it was relatively easy, but I think I could do a much better job if I tried it again. so I might just do that! LINK.
Fire Smoldering Cocktail
This baby is courtesy of The Design Confidential. Brilliant! It’s sexy, seductive and quite the show stopper! I imagine it would give the drink and roasted kind of flavor. As stated in TDC’s directions, this one takes extra precaution, make sure there is no excess alcohol around your work area, as well as people!
Stamped Pewter Charms
This was one of those breakthrough projects when I realized the coolness of micro torches! You simply run the flame over a pewter blank, it liquefies it, but it keeps its shape, then you quickly use a rubber stamp to make an impression. Quench, clean and add black coloring. LINK.
Lightswitch Wall Art
Theresa and Mark run My Fix It Up Life, they come up so many clever ideas for home decor and renovation. Theresa came across a bulk amount of light switches and decided to turn them into a statement of L-O-V-E. Check out her tutorial to see the full instructions! LINK.
Torched Plaques
After seeing how much fun everyone else was having torching wood, I joined the party – with baby steps! I used a small wood plaque and check out my tutorial to see what I used to get the shapes! LINK.
Steampunk Table Lamp
How awesome is this? The AZ DIY Guy knows how to knock out the masculine home decor projects, that’s for sure! He went through quite a lengthy process, but as you can see it was well worth it! LINK.
Torched Wire Hearts
For this DIY, I used plain old solder wire and again, rubber stamps. LINK.
Mexican Chocolate Crème Brûlée
This is one of those recipes that makes you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Well, because Valentina from Cooking on the Weekends thought of it first! And we’re so glad she did! She made it for Cinco de Mayo, but it works all year round. Here’s her recipe in all its delicious glory! LINK.
And there you have it! 10 ideas of what to make with a torch! Are you inspired? There are so many more ideas as well. Do any of you use torches in your crafts? If so, what kind?
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, here’s an article by Popular Mechanics!
“Find Your Fire. There’s a fire in each of us. Waiting to ignite. We believe in carrying the torch ignited by our founder in 1876—whose quality craftsmanship and progressive mindset are what blazed the trail that got us here today. We believe in awakening the innovators in all of us—inspiring a culture of creators who can break boundaries, mark new territory and go where no flame has burned before. We believe in empowering those who’ve found their flame and dare to follow it. Because the ones who do are the catalysts of bold transformations that redefine the limits of what we can achieve. We believe in our fire and in your fire. It’s time to ignite.”
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Would luv to give this a try.
Yes, it’s super fun and easy!
What excellent post! Thanks so much for sharing my creme brulee link! 🙂
No prob, I loved your project so much1
Hey Kathy – Great collection. Thanks for sharing a couple of my projects too! It’s so awesome how many completely different projects can be done with torches, beyond classic plumbing soldering. I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff this year, as well as our fellow Torch Bearers.
Hi John! I love all you do, so inspiring!