St. Patrick’s Day can mean shamrocks and leprechauns - but it can also lean into the rich history and symbolism of traditional Irish design. If you’re drawn to that deeper aesthetic, this wood-burned Celtic knot frame is a beautiful way to mark the season.
For this piece, Joanne created a wood-burned mirror frame featuring classic Celtic knotwork and Irish words, finished with stain and a crystal-clear resin coat for depth and protection. The result is rich, timeless, and full of character.
This project is a throwback to one of our early tutorials from 2017 — proof that simple, well-loved techniques never really go out of style.
What You’ll Need
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Plain flat wood frame (picture or mirror frame)
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Celtic knot design and/or Irish text (printed)
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Transfer paper
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Pen
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Scotch tape
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Scissors
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Wood-burning kit
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Wood stain & rag
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Stands
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Measuring cup
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Mixing stick
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Gloves
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Level
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Silicone mat
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Spreader
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Dust cover
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Kraft paper
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Optional: brown & black paint
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Picture-hanging hardware
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Picture-hanging wire or sisal/hemp twine
Step-by-Step
1. Choose and Prepare Your Design
Print a Celtic knot design you love. Joanne chose a long braided pattern with a Celtic shield detail at the corner.
Cut the design to fit the area of the frame where you want it placed. Cut transfer paper to match each design piece.
Place the transfer paper on the frame, lay the design on top, and tape everything in place.
2. Transfer the Design
Using a pen, carefully trace over the design. Once complete, remove the paper to reveal the transferred pattern.
💡 TIP: Use a red pen so you can see your trace lines clearly.
If you’d like to add words, repeat the same process. Joanne chose “Fáilte” and “Sláinte” — Irish words meaning welcome and cheers.
3. Wood-Burn the Design
Use a fine-tip wood-burning tool to trace the outlines of the knotwork and lettering.
Switch to a broader tip to slowly fill in the center areas, working patiently to keep the burn even and controlled.
4. Stain for an Antique Look
Once the wood-burning is complete, apply wood stain with a rag to deepen the color and create a darker, more antique feel.
Allow the frame to dry completely.
5. Add Subtle Aging Details
The next day, before resining, Joanne added the accents on the text, as well as a few extra wood-burned marks around the frame to enhance the aged, time-worn look.
6. Prep for Resin
Tape along the outer edges of the frame and the inner opening to prevent resin from dripping down.
Place the frame on stands, level it carefully, and protect your workspace with a silicone mat and kraft paper.
7. Mix and Apply Resin
Measure equal parts resin and hardener by volume. Mix thoroughly for 3 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom as you go.
💡 TIP: Joanne used 2 fl oz of resin and 2 fl oz of hardener for this piece, but if you're unsure how much resin you'll need, simply enter the length and width of your piece into our Resin Calculator to determine how much you'll need. If the opening of your frame is quite large, you may want to slightly scale down on the amount of resin/hardener you use.
Pour the resin onto the frame and spread evenly, doming it right up to the edges without letting it flow over.
8. Remove Bubbles and Cure
Use a torch to remove surface bubbles.
Cover the piece with a dust cover and allow it to cure undisturbed for 24 hours.
9. Finish the Back
The next day, remove the tape and replace the mirror.
To finish the back, Joanne painted kraft paper with a mix of dark brown and black paint, glued it onto the frame, and trimmed the edges neatly with an X-Acto knife.
She added metal eye screws and chose hemp twine instead of wire for a softer, vintage finish.
And here is the finished result!
This project is a beautiful way to honor traditional Irish imagery while creating something meaningful and lasting. The combination of wood-burning, stain, and resin brings depth, warmth, and a quiet sense of history - perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or display year-round.
We hope this inspires you to give wood-burning a try to create a keepsake of your own.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy for Resin Art.
