Let’s get something straight up front: around here, both of us know our way around a toolbox. We’ve both been band-sawing, wiring, fixing, and building things since childhood. But when it comes to art, my husband was always the free-spirited “sure, let’s try it!” person, while I was more likely to ask, “Are you sure? That’s…kind of a lot.” (Spoiler: it usually really isn’t, and yes, he’s usually right.)
Welcome to Mcatz Creations, where two people armed with power tools, optimism, and questionable amounts of glitter dive headfirst into the ancient art of shou sugi ban—aka, the very official Japanese method of setting wood on fire to make it look fantastic.
He’s the instigator, the king of “that’s possible, let’s do it.” If I hear “yeah, I bet we could make that,” I know to clear some workspace and maybe stand near a fire extinguisher—just in case. I’m the logistician, the “wait, do we even have enough wood for this?” type, but let’s be honest: once we light the torch, I’m all in. And by the end of every project, I’m usually the first one to say, “Okay…that was fun. Again?”
I may never call myself an “artsy” person—I grew up following directions and making stuff that worked, not inventing new masterpieces—but his creative energy is absolutely contagious. Now, not only do I help build and burn, but I’m making my own art, blending all the ombré, and secretly loving every minute of the process. My latest solo creation, “Starlit Showgirl,” proves just how far I’ve come—a piece that started as a simple wooden frame in my hands and ended up as my own glittery constellation of charred wood magic.
Why Start Blogging Now?
Because we’ve accidentally become “those people” who turn every project into a spectacle—equal parts creativity, sawdust, and wild ideas. And now that I’ve caught his art bug, it felt like time to let the world peek behind the curtain (and maybe laugh along with us). Plus, when you create something like Starlit Showgirl—where fire, glitter, and a whole lot of “let’s see what happens” energy collide in my own artistic vision—people tend to ask questions. Lots of them.
Going forward, I’ll be sharing both of our stories and creations, letting you know whose artistic brain child each piece is, because we each bring something different to this creative chaos.
What is Shou Sugi Ban?
Japanese woodburning, legendary for its ability to preserve and beautify wood. We use it for everything from wall art to picture frames like my Starlit Showgirl piece, giving each creation a little edge—and a lot of personality (and sometimes actual glitter fallout). The ancient technique transforms ordinary wood into something with character, depth, and stories written in char and grain.
The Process: Equal Parts Chaos, Laughter, and “Let’s See What Happens”
We’re not the “perfect reveal” type. Our process is messy, smoky, and powered by mutual encouragement and plenty of “why not?” energy. Take Starlit Showgirl, for instance—what started as a raw wooden frame became my personal adventure in fire, paint, and enough glitter to make a craft store jealous. Sometimes we document from the first cut; sometimes the action shots only start after most of the wood is already torched.
From burning that initial frame myself to carefully laying out each charred piece according to my vision, from painting gradients that would make a sunset jealous to sealing everything with enough sparkle to be seen from space—every step of my creative journey teaches me something new about what happens when traditional techniques meet my own artistic instincts. No matter what, what comes out at the end is unique, imperfect, and 100% authentically mine (or his, when it’s his turn).
Who We Are
Him: Lifelong creator, fearless art explorer, always dreaming bigger. The one who encourages me when I look at that plain wooden frame and wonder if I can really turn it into something magical.
Me: Handy, practical, a little more cautious—but now, thanks to him, all-in on my own creative ride. Still not inventing without googling three versions first, but now torching my own frames and applying glitter with the best of them. I’m the one who makes sure I actually have enough sealer before I start the final steps on pieces like Starlit Showgirl.
What to Expect
Burned wood, bold color, shiny things (so many shiny things), honest stories, and two people figuring out creativity together—one project (and one “are you sure?”) at a time. Expect behind-the-scenes chaos, transformation stories like Starlit Showgirl’s journey from plain frame to Etsy-worthy art, and probably more glitter references than any respectable woodworking blog should contain. I’ll always let you know whose artistic vision you’re seeing, because each of us brings our own flavor to this fire-fueled creativity.
If you’re curious, skeptical, or just want to see what happens when two handy people give fire to their creativity, you’re in the right place. Peek at our gallery, stop by our shop, or share your own wild ideas in the comments.
Ready? Light the torch—let’s make something sparkle.
