Novelty Carvings follow the Old Carver’s Law: “Leave no wood uncarved.”    In the example in the photographs above, a head of a sea captain is carved on the top of the handle of a plumber’s helper (plunger) and with a roll of toilet paper it becomes a handy bathroom fixture or outhouse novelty.

Scrapper Faces are carved from “scraps of wood” that serve both as a novelty carving and a way to practice carving faces.  Novelty is “for the fun of it” just as carving is basically for fun.  Lets all have more fun by carving a little every day and “the more one carves the better one carves,”  a novelty in itself.

The mention of the name of John Burke brings up untold memories in the heart and minds of carvers who have been inspired and influenced by one of the best.  At the 2011 Belleville, IL carving show a memorial display of some of John’s art was presented to honor his memory.  Photographs of that display are shared with this blog by long time carving friend Bob Jager.  So as these photographs are viewed may we all learn again from the creativity of John Burke. Read the rest of this entry »

A carving friend to the entire woodcarving community is “Ol’ Don” Burgdorf  who has been a friend as guest of any carver’s inspiration through his “Doodles ‘n Notes for Carvin’ Folks”  and his instructional web site http://artofdon.com .  He has granted permission for some of his intellectual property to be resourced on this blog for instructional purposes.  Under the box on the right column of this blog entitled “BEE HIVE”  and under the title “Ol’ Don Burgdorf Face Study”  are four must read and study tutorials that will benefit anyone who carves faces.  “Ol’ Don” has a very unique way of coming right to the point through his art work and verbal descriptions of teaching lasting lessons. Study and put into practice what he teaches and carved faces will come alive.  Thank you, “Ol’ Don.”

“Clothes make the man,” is a saying that is helpful for carving caricatures.  Every caricature has a face and that face could fit on many different characters depending upon the clothes and accessories that are carved into the subject.  In the case of these two “Tennis Bums” it is the tennis racket and tennis ball that gives it away that these caricatures are “Tennis Bums.”

Each was carved out of a six inch tall by two inch square block of basswood using only a knife in the Whittle-Carving style of the Wood Bee Carver.  One photo shows one tennis bum carved standing beside a block of basswood into which the second tennis bum will be carved. Read the rest of this entry »

Every carving is a learning project.  Even though the subject may have been carved at an earlier time, yet carving the same subject again will have a personality of its own. Carving the same subject twice at the same time still results in two individual carvings with characteristics unique to each one. Read the rest of this entry »

Dave Lyons, maker of the famous Lyons Knives  is now making two knives using the blade design developed by the WOOD BEE CARVER.  Each blade is fashioned in a beautiful handle distinctive of a Lyons Knife.  The handle fits comfortably in the cradle of the palm of the hand and fingers to allow for long periods of carving activity and can be easily rotated in the hand for guiding the cutting edge with cuts upside down, sideways or right side up.  WBC-1 is the smaller version of a scimitar blade with an extended tang to allow for longer reach of the cutting edge as well as a place for the index finger to wrap around for close up detail carving.  WBC – 2 is a larger scimitar blade with an extended tang for longer reach and use of entire blade.  Both blades are designed for slicing cuts in a push stroke and a pull stroke.

To order for purchase either knife contact Dave either by telephone at 937-426-0085 or by email  dlyonsl@msn.com keeping in mind that each knife is custom made so allow time for each knife to be made. Read the rest of this entry »