With the cooler weather of fall comes many warm-hearted meals shared with friends and family. To prep for this season of hosting, we wanted to share an easy way to give old serving utensils a quick refresh. So Gwen reached for her handy woodburning pen, an unexpected tool to transform all kinds of surfaces and materials. If you’ve never woodburned before, let me assure you, it’s super easy and actually really fun (editor’s note: Gwen let me have a go with the woodburning pen and it’s majorly addictiong… I started adding pattern to everything in my home!).
This project is the perfect introduction to woodburning, with a simple pattern and easy method, but as with any project, the sky’s the limit. Once you’ve mastered this technique, you can personalize your wooden spoons, salad servers, and even platters, any way you’d like!
Materials
- Wood Serving Utensils (we used salad servers from World Market, but rounded up some favorites below, too)
Tools
- Woodburning Pen
- Pencil
Start by plugging in your woodburner and heating it for 5-6 minutes. While that’s warming up, begin sketching your design onto the handles of the wooden salad servers. We went with a simple dot motif to mimic an ombré effect, but there are so many possibilities. Get creative!
Once you’re happy with the design, carefully take your woodburner off it’s holder and position it 90 degrees perpendicular to the surface you’re working on so that the point makes direct contact with the wood. Now for the fun part! Press down and hold against the wood for 2-3 seconds.
Repeat on all sides of your handle until your design is complete. Just to warn you, this part is really fun! I could easily see myself being carried away, so just make sure you take a step back every once and a while to decide if your design is complete.
This project is such an easy way to add a thoughtful, handmade touch to your serveware and make a wonderful hostess gift for any fall gathering. Stay tuned for how to make this delicious salad, too!
As promised, here’s a few of my favorite wooden spoons that would be perfect for this DIY:
Photography and styling by Jojotastic. DIY by Material Delight for Jojotastic.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this wood burned spoon tutorial! And if you make a batch, be sure to post a photo and tag @jojotastic on Instagram so we can see.
So easy and minimalistic!
Love the idea!
thanks so much!