A basswood ostrich egg was used to carve this Santa using traditional carving tools.  Even though the WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver, yet on occasions traditional carving tools will be used to carve larger projects.  Basswood hen eggs have been used for whittle-carving projects using only a knife using the Santa theme.  Under “NAVIGATION” on the left column of this web log there is a page entitled “WHITTLE FOLK EGGS – Carving a Wooden Egg” that shows the smaller version of egg carving.  Also in the posting for November 22, 2008 there are two styles of Santa eggs used for a class project. Read the rest of this entry »

This is a Small Tool Tote made by Bob Clarke of Fernley, NV.  http://www.woodcarverstooltote.com/ This tool tote is designed with sixteen pre-cut slots for hanging tools on either side of a central box that contains a firm foam block to stick knife points into with open space for carving glove or other necessities.  There is also a handy drawer for pencils, ruler, band-aids and other small tools.

The first two photographs above shows the Clarke Small Tool Tote filled with fifty nine palm carving tools.  The central box area has received a plastic Ice Tube Tray like the one in the third photograph which is holding knives.

The Ice Tube Tray can be purchased at Wal Mart for under four dollars.  It contains twenty seven tubes which will hold palm carving tools and knives with larger handles.  The Ice Tube Tray is the correct size to fit in the center section the the Clarke Small Tool Tote.

For the smaller Stetson designed Clarke Tool Tote, an Ice Tube Tray can be cut to fit the center section to hold eighteen palm carving tools.  Additional sections of the Ice Tube Tray can be cut to hang on either side the the handle support using plastic ties as pictured in the photograph below.

Bob also makes a Large Tool Tote plus paint storage boxes.  In the January 6, 2008 post about Carving Tool Storage I highlighted a tool tote Bob made called the Dave Stetson box.  His tool totes are well made with such a functional design and reasonably priced that I highly recommend them.

Don Worley is pictured here along with is wife Bonnie at the Miami Valley Wood Carving Show in Middletown, Ohio in March, 2009.  Don is the creator of the popular NO SEE-UMS that are on display in the second photograph.  Notice also that his carving display table contains many other caricature carvings including the caricature horse in the top left corner of the table.  A carved caricature horse will play an important part in the next disclosure of Don Worley. Read the rest of this entry »

Wayne Shinlever of Knoxville, Tennessee recently taught a class in the Cincinnati, Ohio area in his style of  caricature carving.  Nine students, five women and four men studied and carved for three days  learning Wayne’s style of caricature carving from his vast array of rough outs. Read the rest of this entry »

Don Worley created the No See-Ums and has been teaching these delightful carving projects to various students.  The ones pictured here were carved by Caricature Carvers of America member, Tom Brown.  Don taught a class for the Eastern Woodland Carving Club, Converse, Indiana last year where Tom Brown and Gary Freeman became “hooked” on carving No See-Ums.

Gary Freeman carved these versions of No See-Ums.  More about No See-Ums can be seen in two previous postings on November 21, 2008 and February 2, 2009.

Wayne Shinlever of Knoxville, Tennessee learned from Don Worley how to carve No See-Ums at the 2008 Dollywood Carving Show and since Wayne is a Santa carver he carved his version of a No See-Ums.

No See-Ums have become very popular with carvers who have tried these easy and fun projects.  Thanks to Don Worley for introducing this very “addictive” carving project to the carving world.

Santa sitting on a gift card was first carved in 2001 from an original design drawn by Glenn Stewart of Hawesville, Kentucky.  It is carved out of half inch thick basswood approximately four inches high and wide.   The size can be varied either a little larger or a little smaller. It is basically carved as a relief carving using traditional caving tools of small gouges, V tool and a knife.

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Even though the WOOD BEE CARVER is primarily a knife carver, yet learning to carve using real carving tools and other  carving styles is a way to stretch one’s horizons.  As often as I have a chance I take a carving class for the experience of learning something new and challenging.

Every carver should consider taking a carving class from time to time for learning and inspiration.  We can read and study carving books and magazines, be observant at wood carving shows and participate in woodcarving club activities, but nothing takes the place of participating in a carving class.  One learns not only from the instructor but also from fellow students.  And besides it is a great way to makes good friends. Read the rest of this entry »