Halstead couple use pyrography craft for Poppy Appeal

Jannette Wood, 48, and her husband Paul, 55, of Windmill Road, Halstead were both furloughed at the beginning of this year.

Not fans of sitting around, the pair decided to take up a bit of home improvement.

This is when Janette found a new love for the art of wood burning, or pyrography.

Gifted - Paul and Jannette Wood with their wood burning plaques

Mrs Wood said: “Believe it or not, it started during lockdown.

“Me and my husband were so bored, we decided we would turn the shed into a shed-come-bar called the Garden Inn.

“I started by wood burning the bar sign name and doing the outside as well with bunting to match it all.

“I really enjoyed doing it, so it just started from there.”

As the months went by, Jannette decided to turn her attention to this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations.

Wanting to do something special, she started wood burning poppy plaques with her husband.

Proceeds from the sales will go to the Royal British Legion.

Jannette Wood's wood burnings of poppies for the poppy appeal

After putting out her work on Facebook, she has been inundated with orders.

So far, she has sold 218 plaques and collected £436 with orders still coming in.

Since then, her creations have been popping up in the window frames of houses in the area.

She added: “My nan was actually born on Armistice Day and her name was Olive Armistice Barrett.

“She’s no longer with us now so it’s nice to do this in her memory.

“We’re going to keep it going as a charity thing and we’ve now started doing Santa chalkboards to raise money for the Essex Air Ambulance.

“I’ve even had requests from friends to do them a personalised bar sign.

“I’m absolutely amazed at how well it’s done.

“We’ve even sold some overseas - one to Australia, two to America, three to France and one to Spain.

“They really have taken well and it’s so nice to see how they go.

“It’s hard to put it out there because not everyone is on Facebook. I wish I started it another way and got it out earlier.

“I’m enjoying being furloughed actually because I can enjoy doing this."

My nan was actually born on Armistice Day and her name was Olive Armistice Barrett. She’s no longer with us now so it’s nice to do this in her memory.

Nearby businesses have helped out with Darkins in Sible Hedingham sending them some wood varnish to preserve the pieces.

Jannette is selling her A5 poppy plaques for £5 each with £2 going to the appeal to help serving and former armed personnel and the rest being spent on crafting materials.

To follow Jeanette’s work, click here.