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
Custom-Build a Tilting Carving Table

Custom-Build a Tilting Carving Table

Customize an old shop bench for maximum comfort and efficiency By Jim Farley  After moving my carving stand from my workbench for the umpteenth time, I realized I needed a dedicated carving table. I spend a lot of time at my bench and would rather sit and relax while carving […]

by February 28, 2020 eNews: Strop Talk
Carve a Caricature Canine

Carve a Caricature Canine

Use a premade blank and simple cuts to carve this adorable dog By Lori Dickie This little dog is carved from a basswood egg. The pre-cut and lathe-turned eggs are available in various sizes online or at wood shows. I like using these eggs for my projects because I don’t […]

by August 1, 2019 eNews: Strop Talk
Carving Folk Art Fish Keychains

Carving Folk Art Fish Keychains

This simple design is easy to carve and fun to paint! by John Reichling  I carve a variety of decorative fish-spearing decoys and end up with a lot of small cutoffs that are just too good to throw away. To save them from the burn pile, I came up with […]

by May 29, 2019 eNews: Strop Talk
Carving Miniature Welsh Lovespoons

Carving Miniature Welsh Lovespoons

Carve a Valentine’s Day Gift in a weekend By Robert W. Tinsley The Welsh lovespoon is an ancient symbol of romance and commitment. Legend states that a man carved a lovespoon to show interest in a woman. He incorporated a variety of symbols into the spoon, including a heart to […]

by February 7, 2019 eNews: Strop Talk, Spring Carving