Past Feature Articles

John Burke Woodcarver of the Year
Popular author and instructor honored for his contributions to woodcarving

Carving a Caricature Colt
by Floyd Rhadigan
Simple stylized horse is easy to carve

Choosing Power Carving Bits
by Chuck Solomon and Dave Hamilton
Make smart purchases with a basic understanding of the cutters available

Sharing the Joy of Carving Wood
by Dave Brock
Build self confidence and provide a life-long hobby by teaching kids to carve

Making a Tramp Art Frame
by Jim Sebring
Easy chip cuts and simple joints make this frame an ideal project for novice carvers

Making a Gargoyle Cane
by Shawn Cipa
Construction techniques for carving a functional cane

Carving Realistic Wrinkles and Folds
by Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach and Fred Zavadil
Create accurate details by studying how clothing relates to anatomy

Overcoming Adversity
by Dr. Lawrence Varner
Decoy carver Karl Schmidt is a lesson in perseverance

Carving Custom Light-switch Covers
by Ben Mayfield
Add character to your home with relief- and chip-carved accents

Creating Handcarved Magnets
by Fred Wilbur
Functional floral decorations are a lesson in traditional carving techniques

Adding Subtle Color
by Lora S. Irish
Roughing and dry-brushing techniques add life to your carving without overpowering the wood

2008 Santa Carving Contest
Prize-winning entries and highlights from this year's contest

Happy Christmas Gnome
by Ross Oar
Easy beginner character can be carved as Santa's helper or a garden gnome

Hershal Borders bonus cane gallery
by Hershal Borders

Carving a Traditional Lovespoon
by David Western
Classic heart design is a great project for novice carvers

Teaching Kids to Carve
by Kathleen Ryan
Jim Calder's sweet potato faces make carving easy

Creating a Deep-relief Mantel
by Jerry Mifflin
Power carve individual panels for a full-size mantel

Quilt Patterns Inspire Chip-carved Coasters
by Barry McKenzie
Classic geometric designs embellish this useful caddy

Book Review - The Illustrated Raptor Series
by Denny Rogers
Reviewed by Anthony Hillman

Carving a Hillbilly Chess Set - Interactive 3D Model
by Mitchell Cartledge

Candy Cane Squirrel Ornament - Bonus Patterns
By Desiree Hajny
Texturing of the squirrel's fur brings this adorable Christmas ornament to life

Strategy with a Theme
Jim Arnold's clever chess set designs

Carving on Turning
Modern woodturning masters embellish their work with carving

Serpentine Walking Stick
by David Stehly
Staff and realistic snake are carved from a single piece of wood

Paint Primer
by Viki Rhodes
Essential knowledge for a professional finish

Teacher's Corner - Sharpening V-tools

Realistic Skin Tones
by Lora S. Irish
Simple mixtures and techniques to create a variety of flesh colors

All About Files, Rasps, & Rifflers
by Roger Schroeder
These versatile tools have a wide range of carving uses

Teacher’s Corner - Brush Cleaning
by Vicki Rhodes

2007 Santa Carving Contest

Woodcarving Hollywood-Style
by Bob Duncan
Local artists teach Sissy Spacek to carve for her latest role

Holiday Memories Santa
by Shawn Cipa
Carved Santa proudly displays your Holiday photos

Simple Carved Moldings
by Chris Pye
Repeating designs are perfect accents for frames and furniture

Wood Sculptures of Darwin Dower
Historical rural life captured in amazing detail

Woodcarver of the Year
Dual awards honors Ed Gallenstein and Lora S. Irish

Top Ten Underrated Uses for Carving Tools
by Bob Duncan and Lori Corbett
In honor of our 10th Anniversary, a tongue-in-cheek take on common carving tools and materials.

Chip Carved Letters
by Barry McKenzie
Simple block style is easy to carve

Preserving the Past
by Bob Duncan
The rise, fall, and rebirth of carved carousel horses

Teapot Clock
by Barry McKenzie
Charming clock with chip-carved details is perfect for the kitchen

All About Buying Wood
by Roger Schroeder
A handy reference guide and inside tips from 30 years of buying carving wood

Hand Carved Classics
by Kivel Weaver
Practive your knife carving with chain links and a ball-in-cage

2005 Santa Contest

Rolling Caricature Animals
By Desiree Hajny
Easy-to-carve critters are delightfully mobile
Bison Pattern (362KB) - Elephant Pattern (384KB) - Pony-Pattern (341KB)

Custom Honing Board
by Lora S. Irish
This easy-to-make shop aid is a great way to keep your gouges and V-tools in tip-top shape

Fruit Pit Carvings
by Bob Shamey
Amazing details in miniature carvings

Shop-Made Holding Devices
by Roger Schroeder
Inexpensive methods for holding irregularly shaped carvings

Carver’s Lapboard
by Charles Brown
No room in the house is off limits with this portable carving station made from scrap.

Antique-Style Decoy Carving - 1.2 MB PDF File Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
by Tom Matus
Creating modern decoys with vintage appeal.

Jenga® Block Bear
by Lavonne Russell
Simple tools and materials can produce great results.

Woodcarving National Scout Jamboree
Thousands of Scouts earn Woodcarving Merit Badge at National Jamboree.

Saint Nick Cane Topper
Whimsical Santa makes a perfect cane topper or bottle stopper.

Art of Chainsaw Carving
Amazing creations by master chainsaw carvers.

Branson: A Carver’s Paradise
Popular vacation spot offers carving seminars, galleries.

The Humorous World of Pete LeClair
Exaggerating the mundane makes these carvings larger than life.

Quick Carve Spreader
Carve a useful tool out of an ordinary branch.

Port-a-Strop Put to the Test
Battery powered tool gives you stropping power on the go.

Sharpening Simplified

Soff Jaws

Modern Ivory Carving
From billiard balls to beef bone--Alternative sources for ivory give carvers another
material to work with.

Woodburn Realistic Fur
Add woodburned texture to a carved mouse for a realistic fur effect.

Wildlife Carving Contest Winners
Wood Carving Illustrated, Woodcraft® Supply, announce winners of 2004 contest.

Schimmel’s Carvings
Carve a tiger in a turn of the century folk art style.

Observation leads to Inspiration
Carver John Taye finds inspiration in day-to-day life.

Christmas Gnome - Bonus Article
A six-minute carving project to brighten the holidays

Edible Art
Now you're cooking! Gene Wilson's carved wooden cookie molds. Includes authentic recipes.

All ABOUT Drawknives, Spokeshaves and Scorps
Explore these traditional cabintemaking tools and how they can make a carver's life easier

Bald Eagle Portrait
Wanda Marsh's creative textures and thorough painting instructions are sure to take your artistic skills to new heights.

The Cat's Meow: Carving a Refrigerator Magnet
David Sabol's step-by-step mischievous feline will have friends and customers purring for one of their own.

Little Black Duck
Bob Buyer's use of handtools brings intimacy to a full-bodied piece of folk art.

Dogwood Floral Egg
Carole Jean Boyd's step-by-step practice egg is an ideal first project for beginners and a beneficial exercise for experienced carvers.

Angel and Santa
Winter relief is on the way—simple yet attractive ornaments power-carved in no time.

Sailor with Flag
Carved for a reunion with shipmates, this piece by Ross Oar reflects the face of a generation of earnest young men.

Relief Carve the Captain
Gorgeous when completed, this portrait will build your confidence for further relief work.

Mule Dear
by Lora S. Irish

Hillbilly Head
Harold Enlow walks you through his step-by-step Ozark's caricature.

Cane Corner
Hershal Borders: Canes With A Theme.

Carving the Uncommon Bottle Stopper
Terrific projects for every carver.

Cutting Corners by Joel Hull
Have a knife and gouge? Your ready to carve this caricature.