Bet Your Dentist Isn't This Cool

Snowman Dentist

I carved this snowman for my longtime dentist and his wife.  I knew thew would get a kick out of it as they are also avid crafters and artists. 

The snow man is made in three pieces.  The body was carved from aspen.  The glove and tooth and glove and toothbrush were carved from basswood.  If I do something like this again I will paint it before I glue it together.  The painting turned out to be more of a challenge than carving.  Also a tip the nose and eyes for the snow man were carved from a bamboo chopstick.  I like to use bamboo for those as it is stronger for these small pieces than regular carving wood.

Go carve something.

Bruce

Currently on my Bench

Here are some of the items currently on my bench.

More to come.

Go Carve Something.

Bruce

Angel Cane

A friend is about to undergo foot surgery and will need the use of a cane for a number of months.  I promised her a cane that would be different.  She asked for an Angel on the cane.  Here is what I came up with.  The cane is carved from sugar pine.  I considered other materials but I wanted something that was light but would still be pretty strong.  I came across this at my local Rockler.  It was on a clearance table as scrap.  The piece I bought yielded this cane, a snowman, a Santa, four Santa ornaments, and tow snowman ornaments.  I paid two dollars for the piece of wood.

The cane is finished is Silver and gold wash as well as oak stain and walnut antiquing.  The finishing process was a bit fussy but yielded the result that I wanted.  The cane was then treated with spray lacquer.  It weighs roughly six ounces and I completed it with a rubber tip.

As always if you click the picture it will enlarge.  Hopefully the cane serves my friend well.  It has given me the idea for several more.  However I have to finish more of the items currently on the bench before I can start another cane.

Hope you have a great day.

Go carve something.

Bruce

Carved Santa Ornament

Here is a carved Santa Ornament that I have designed.  I have been playing with carved spirals and used one for his beard.  Santa is carved from basswood (linden) and is roughly 3"x 9".  I have not yet decided how he will hang but will most likely be an screw eye.

Hope your day is great.
Go carve something.

Bruce

Cute Cat Ornament

Pam and I have two spoiled cats.  My cat is Blaze.  I designed and painted this ornament to look like blaze.  This is a great quick project and takes about 30 minutes to carve.

And here is Blaze .

Carving is roughly 3"X3" is is carved from a scrap of aspen.  Finished with acrylic paints and acrylic antiquing.  Clear gloss acrylic was used as a top coat.

Happy Carving

Bruce

Carved Cross

Here is the latest carved cross to come off my bench.  This was made for my son in law's parents.

Base cross is Poplar, middle cross is Honduran mahogany top cross is cast iron.

Carving is a guardian Angel.  This is my wife's favorite angel so it will probably show up on a few more things.

Happy Carving

Bruce

Antique Spool Santa

This Santa is carved on an antique weaving spool.  Spool is most likely maple.  I found these at Canton.  Santa is an old world Santa and I carved I Love Santa on the back.  Hole in the top is perfectly sized for a candle.  The next one of these will be an angel.

Here he is

Happy Carving

Bruce

Tall Santa

I mostly cave what is known as Old World Santa or Folk Santa.  In the US we are used to seeing what is basically the Coca Cola Santa.  He is plumper and wears the two piece suit.  The Old World Santa is based on the Saint Nicolas or Kris Kringle legend and wears a long single piece robe with hood.

This is the largest Santa that I have carved to date standing just over 9 inches tall.  He is carved from basswood also known as Linden wood.  He took about four hours to carve and paint.  He will be one of my first carvings to be offered for sale on ETSY.  More about ETSY in a later post.

He is about 90% done in the picture above.

Here he is completed

I basically never carve the same Santa twice so all of the santas are one of a kind.  I find that most carvers become comfortable with a specific look to their carvings and that gives the carvings a sameness I am trying hard to avoid.

Go make some wood chips.

Bruce

Cool Snowman Ornament

This little guy was carved from a piece of 1x3x6 basswood.

Stylish top hat and sport coat.

What all the best dressed snowmen will be wearing this winter.  And as hot as it has been here in Dallas winter is sounding pretty good right now.

Go Make Some Wood Chips.

Bruce

Cool Deputy Snowman

Here is one of my latest carvings and designs.  This little guy is a Texas Snowman complete with his deputy badge.

Sheriff Santa is still on the bench but should arrive in the next week or so.

He is basswood (Linden) and about 6 inches tall.
Go make some wood chips.

Bruce