Etching Wood

Does anyone know anything about etching a design onto wood? Are there any tools out there that are recommended? I would like to do some woodworking but don't know where to start.

I've seen a couple things done with sandblasting. I'm failing to find any good links or pictures to share, though.

I found a laser etching tool but those cost a lot, sand blasting would be achievable I have an air compressor i could use.

Years back, I installed an alarm in a place that sandblasted cemetery headstones. They used a computer controlled cutter to cut out the desired inscription in thin rubber that had adhesive on one side. Peel and stick. Sandblast away to the depth required. I'm sure that method could be used on wood, and computer cutter could be replaced by Exacto knife. No idea where to find the rubber, but Google is your friend.

Check this out-

http://www.sandblasted.com/Sandblasted_Signs_How.html