Patterns & Projects

Simple Comb

Simple Comb

Great as a tool or a hair accessory, these projects are a cinch to shape and finish By Keoma McCaffrey For over two decades, I have been making combs and selling them at fairs and online, and from there they travel to households around the world. Recently, I was contacted […]

by May 1, 2023 Patterns & Projects
Carving a Realistic Rabbit

Carving a Realistic Rabbit

Turn this woodland favorite into an adorable spring decoration By Desiree Hajny Thanks to popular media, we can’t help associating our long-eared friends with spring. I’ve had several batches of young bunnies in my backyard and always enjoy watching each one’s development from wide-eyed little creature to majestic adult. For […]

by March 2, 2023 eNews: Strop Talk, Spring Carving
The History of Romantic Love Carving

The History of Romantic Love Carving

Lovespoon carver shares the story behind a traditional token of affection By Dave Western Throughout Europe from the early 1600s to the turn of the 20th century, it became popular for young men to make and give gifts to the young women who had captured their hearts. The most popular […]

by January 16, 2023 Features, Patterns & Projects
Happy Tree Ornament

Happy Tree Ornament

Quick-carve holiday gift allows you to experiment with making different faces By Larry Green This jovial little caricature really looks great hanging on a Christmas tree. The variety of expressions you could carve for him is endless. Carve one or a forest of ornaments and create on the go by […]

by December 1, 2022 eNews: Strop Talk, Holiday Carving
Chip Carved Snowflakes

Chip Carved Snowflakes

These cookie-sized classics are sweeter than dessert By Tom Noller If you live in Texas, like me, you don’t get to see much snow. So, I decided to make my own. These small snowflakes are fun for beginners since they only use two- and three-sided chips. They are great as […]

by October 28, 2022 Holiday Carving, Patterns & Projects
Folk Art Trees

Folk Art Trees

Carve these festive trees to go along with your jolly polar bears By Dave Francis Carve these fun and easy evergreen trees to go with the folk art polar bear from the winter issue. I used a 4″ square, 12″ long piece of basswood, but you can use any size […]

by October 28, 2022 Holiday Carving, Patterns & Projects
Fantasy Wizard

Fantasy Wizard

Customize this caricature wizard by changing the staff and paint colors By Don Dearolf After the Harry Potter books and movies came out, I was inspired to carve a wizard. That took a back seat to some of my other projects, but when The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey came out, I […]

by September 28, 2022 eNews: Strop Talk, Fall Carving
Chillin’ Penguin Step-by-Step Guide

Chillin’ Penguin Step-by-Step Guide

This cool character makes a great beginner project By Janet Bolyard Here’s a good project to introduce you to caricature-style carving. This aquatic bird will look adorable near a bath, sink, or shelf—even on a windowsill. Getting Started Prepare your soap and center your template. Hold it steady on the […]

by August 19, 2022 Whittling
Halloween Santa

Halloween Santa

Santa lovers will delight in this autumnal take on a classic design By Russell Scott Our Undercover Santa is at it again. This time, he is out on Halloween night, watching how the children behave. Christmas is still a little while away, but when you’re compiling naughty-and-nice lists, every moment […]

by July 28, 2022 Fall Carving
Mr. Vacation’s Suitcase

Mr. Vacation’s Suitcase

Carve your tourist a suitcase big enough for him to travel the world with By Wayne Laramore I decided to give my vacationer from the summer issue a suitcase for traveling. Of course, it needed to be tattered and worn. Attach the pattern to blank or sketch it on, if desired. Use […]

by May 2, 2022 Patterns & Projects