The WOOD BEE CARVER has long advocated that when a carver finished carving one subject, turn around and carve it again and again and again.  Each time a subject is carved again the carver’s creative subconscious will guide in the carving with innovations in design and subtle differences.  Every carving is a learning experience and the more one carves the better one carves in the repetitive process of practicing the art of carving.  The four Hobbits pictured in this study illustrate the results of learning by repetition as well as each carving project is fun to do. Read the rest of this entry »

The carving of Pete Rose was done for Rich Smithson of Helvie Knives.  It was carved from a two inch by three inch by seven inch block of basswood.  Knives used for this carving were Helvie Knives from the WOOD BEE CARVER Signature series. Read the rest of this entry »

  HELVIE KNIVES  proudly presents…...The 2nd Annual Basswood Knife Carving Competition!  There will be 3 classes to choose from:

• Beginners Class for carvers that have been carving for one year or less.
• Intermediate Class for carvers that have been carving for one to three years.
• Open Class for anyone regardless of experience or number of years carving. Read the rest of this entry »

Gnome Wizard was carved out of an inch and half square by three inch tall block of basswood.  The Gnome Wizard is carved with a twist of the body, with head tilted up and a flowing beard and mustache.  Such a pose presents an interesting sense of motion while the viewer’s eyes travel the twists and turns of the flowing lines.  Such a piece presents a challenge of skill by figuring out what wood needs to be removed to create such a sense of movement.  This project also teaches the necessary benefit of carving to basic form before ever attempting to carve any details.  Such a process allows creative imagination to help form the design during the carving process that gives a special kind of freedom of creativity. Read the rest of this entry »

Hobbit Blade Cover was carved for a charity fund raising project that Rich, Holli and Skylar Smithson (HELVIE KNIVES) are working on for next year.  Read the rest of this entry »

HELVIE KNIVES announces the addition of a handle choice in the WOOD BEE CARVER  Signature Series for the Detail Bladed Knife # 3, # 3-1 and # 3-2.  One choice is the Original Handle and the second choice is the SWEET BEE Handle of the Second Generation knife series.  The photographs indicate the two handle designs along with a telephone number to Helvie Knives for ordering purposes. Read the rest of this entry »

HELVIE KNIVES was commissioned to make a Commemorative Knife for the Artistry in Wood raffle prize at the Saturday Night Banquet while Don Mertz carved the blade cover.  Artistry in Wood Show is November 9 and 10 at the Dayton Airport Exposition Center.  The photographs show the beautiful art work of Rich Smithson (HELVIE KNIVES) on the knife handle and the carving details of the Wood Bee Carver on the blade cover. Read the rest of this entry »