Down where you are at look for Wild Cherry, Oak, Hickory, Pecan, Walnut, & etc. These are local woods that you should find easily. Split the wood and cut it into 3/4 inch squares about 5 inches long. Buy the PSI 30 pen special and go too it. When you finish the thirty pens then branch out into the other kits, woods, acrylic, stone and bone or deer antler. Then I will see you at the xmas craft show Columbia SC November 4,5 & 6. Richard Van Hulle, Aiken Pen & Pencil