eNews: Strop Talk

Whittling an Eagle Head

Whittling an Eagle Head

Celebrate the patriotic summer holidays with these quick carvings By Pete Zanauskas Carve these easy eagle heads to celebrate Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day. You can use a band saw to mass-produce blanks, and then carry them with you to whittle in your spare time. I turned mine into pins, […]

by May 25, 2022 eNews: Strop Talk
Carving a Relief Caricature

Carving a Relief Caricature

Whether you love hiking or hunting, celebrate your hobby with this easy, adaptable project By Eric Owens I love to hike, and when I look at this guy, I just want to strap on my boots and hit the trail! He is a beginner/intermediate project, and most carvers need a […]

by March 3, 2022 eNews: Strop Talk
North Pole Snowman

North Pole Snowman

Simple relief ornament can be carved and painted quickly By Steve Russell While on a trip to Las Vegas, I came across a picture of a snowman on the side of a building. I thought it would make a great Christmas ornament! I made a few changes to the design to […]

by November 1, 2021 eNews: Strop Talk
Two-Hour Pelican

Two-Hour Pelican

Carve and paint this comical bird in an afternoon By Don Swartz Even a beginner can finish this carving in an afternoon. It’s a great way to practice making strong, deliberate cuts. Once you master the basic techniques, you can change the shape of some features to personalize them or […]

by August 16, 2021 eNews: Strop Talk
Patriotic Bear

Patriotic Bear

Celebrate the stars and stripes with a droll version of Uncle Sam By Mike Shipley As you can see, even the forest has its own Uncle Sam. If you prefer, though, you could choose a different color scheme and paint the bear to resemble Abe Lincoln, a leprechaun, or even […]

by June 2, 2021 eNews: Strop Talk, Patterns & Projects
Leprechaun Pencils

Leprechaun Pencils

Add some pizzazz to your pencil pouch this St. Patrick’s Day! By Randy True I have always enjoyed carving pencils. You can add a lot of detail in a small space—plus they make personal and practical gifts! The best pencils I’ve found for carving are made of resin or plastic; I […]

by March 10, 2021 eNews: Strop Talk
Folk Art Angel

Folk Art Angel

Simple carving can be used as an ornament, pin, or pendant By Gerald Smith This holiday season, adorn your Christmas tree with a lovely handcarved ornament. Sure to become a new family favorite, this sweet and simple folk art angel has minimal details, making it a perfect project for beginners. […]

by December 8, 2020 eNews: Strop Talk
Jack o’Phantom

Jack o’Phantom

By Floyd Rhadigan Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. It’s the one day a year you can be anyone or anything you want to be. We woodcarvers don’t want to be left out, so this pumpkin-headed ghost is my whimsical Halloween treat. Carving the Ghost This piece is not […]

Free Summery Patterns

Free Summery Patterns

We hope your 4th of July weekend is full of food, fireworks, and lots of time outdoors, but don’t forget to carve out some time for yourself. Check out these exclusive FREE carving patterns (designed by Lora Irish) just in time for the holiday—because holidays should always include time spent […]

by June 30, 2020 eNews: Strop Talk
Americana Whale

Americana Whale

This folk-art style carving is a craft-show favorite By Vernon DePauw Add a whimsical touch to your summer celebrations with this patriotic swimmer. I change the size and vary the pattern to make each one a little different than the last. Play around with the stars and stripes to make […]

by May 27, 2020 eNews: Strop Talk