Friends of STEC

16/06/2026

Pyrography Week 4: Hatching & Shading Practice + First Full Burn — “Flower”

Week 4 marks a turning point in our pyrography journey: moving from isolated techniques into your the first complete illustrative burn. This week focuses on developing confident hatching techniques, refining shading control, and applying both to a small finished piece — "The flower" first pyrography image burn.

12/06/2026

Our Well Being Passport group enjoyed a truly memorable day exploring the Williamson Tunnels off Smithdown Lane — an extraordinary historical site within our city. The venue itself was fascinating, offering a glimpse into one of Liverpool’s most intriguing underground worlds.

We were guided by Pat, whose depth of knowledge and engaging storytelling kept everyone captivated throughout the tour. Her enthusiasm made the experience both educational and entertaining.

The group remained energised and curious from beginning to end, and we were delighted to be joined by Mr Ord, STEC CEO, who came along to share in the immersive experience. It was a brilliant day of learning, connection, and discovery for all involved.

03/06/2026

As we move into week three of our successful pyrography course, we took a closer look at the differences between the Ball Tip, Looped Tip, Spear Tip, and Curved Shader nibs.

Working on card made the task more challenging, as the surface demands greater control and sensitivity, yet everyone rose to the task with real focus and creativity.

The results were impressive, and the reflections shared afterwards were thoughtful, positive, and showed genuine progress in technique and confidence.

Well done, everyone — excellent work all round.

26/05/2026

A scorching start to Week 2 of our Pyrography course, but the heat didn’t slow us down. We opened the session by diving into colour theory, exploring the colour wheel in depth—primary, secondary and tertiary colours—before moving into hues, tints and shades. From there, we examined analogous pairs and split‑complementary schemes, building a solid foundation for understanding how colour can enhance pyrography work.

As we moved into the morning’s practical session, the focus shifted to Health & Safety and the correct assembly and disassembly of the pyrography combination pen sets. Everyone had the chance to handle the tools directly, experimenting with the loop‑tipped nib, the ballpoint nib and a variety of shader tips to get a feel for how each one behaves on the surface.

It turned into a fantastic hands‑on session—impressive progress for only Week 2, and the group is already showing great confidence and curiosity. The momentum is definitely building.

22/05/2026

What an amazing day we all had during our first immersive visit to Speke Hall. We began the morning at STEC, planning out the day and getting hands-on experience with the walkie‑talkies, which added a fun and professional touch to the adventure.

A highlight of the day was the timed maze challenge—huge congratulations to Christine and Miriam, who completed it with an impressive time of 3 minutes and 22 seconds. A brilliant effort.
We enjoyed peaceful walks around the beautiful grounds, taking in the scenery and the atmosphere, followed by a fascinating and informative tour inside the house itself. The history, stories, and insights made the visit truly memorable.

A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful staff and volunteers at Speke Hall for their warm welcome, knowledge, and enthusiasm. They helped make the day something special for everyone.

22/05/2026

As our popular Build Your Confidence course—written and delivered by our very own talented Roz—comes to a close, we want to congratulate everyone on their fantastic achievements.

06/05/2026

29/04/2026

Week 10 — Pyrography

Week 10 isn’t just the end of the course — it’s the moment everything clicks into place. After weeks of building technique, refining control, and learning how to let the tool become an extension of your hand, this final stretch is where the craft truly becomes yours.

If Week 9 was the turning point, Week 10 is the confirmation. The Jewellery Box Challenge moves into its second and final phase, and suddenly the project stops feeling like an assignment and starts feeling like a signature piece. Every burn mark, every curve, every shaded detail carries the confidence you’ve earned through repetition and resilience.

This week is about more than finishing a box. It’s about stepping back and realising you can now create something polished, intentional, and unmistakably *yours*.

The work looks good — genuinely good — and not by accident. It’s the result of ten weeks of showing up, pushing through the tricky bits, and trusting the process. Now you get to enjoy the payoff.

22/04/2026

Pyrography week 9 marks a real turning point — the moment when all the practice, patience, and steady hand‑work finally comes together. Part 1 of 2, the Jewellery Box Challenge isn’t just another project; it’s the first piece that feels like a true showcase of skill, style, and confidence. And honestly, things are looking great.

16/04/2026

Our new Well‑Being Passport continues to be a treasured part of our learners’ journey. It’s been inspiring to see their confidence grow with each session, and the sense of pride they’re building along the way.

This morning’s learner‑choice session was a perfect reminder of what happens when creativity and calm come together. With Pyrography and Glass Engraving on offer, the atmosphere was peaceful, focused, and deeply relaxing.