[wade clark]

Kenny,
Wow! Very nice! I'm encouraged to see his bald head, as I have one and want to be Santa as soon as my beard turns white enough...maybe 5 or 6 more years.
Beautiful Santa!
Wade

[Kenny_S]

The Grandchildren were over this morning and I was showing their mother(my Daughter), The "Paulonia wood" Santa and the 4 year old said, " That isn't Santa, Santa isn't bald. Santa is fat and has a red hat". With that he turned around and said, "I'm hungry "!

Nothing like simple logic from a child. However, Thinking on what he said,we do have a percecption of Santa being Jolly, heavy,bearded with a red suit and hat.

Thinking outside of the bun!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Now, I am going to have to look at my Santa more critically!! I have only had a little time to work on the paulownia roughout. Started on the head. I like bald Santa's (probably for obvious reasons) and the first thing I did was carve off the stocking cap part. Thinking about it, makes me realize that what I had in mind is a lot closer to a monk than Santa. Now What! How to make my grandchildren realize he's Santa? I could paint him; but, want to leave my first attempt in this new wood natural. Now I know why a friend will not let people see his "in progress" pieces.

[Irish]

Paul,

If you have enough wood around his blad head give him a head wreath of holly and berries just where his hair line would start. You can also let one of his fur topped boots show through the opening of the robe. Even the robe could be carved with reindeer, trees, and perhaps a small house scene.

Susan

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

If you are looking for suggestions....make the arms longer, more in perspective to the length of the body...thats why I placed my santa on a box...also, if you can add a bit to the waist area......fun project tho and those kind of decisions are what makes it fun! thanks again Dave

[Kenny_S]

Paul,

My wife called mine a monk when I left it natural and did not paint the traditional red rob or suit. mostly we see a Santa with his hat on and thosw without a hat, long haired. So, in keeping the natural color of the wood and not liking the hood on it, I carved mine bald(which I could have carved it with long hair on top), and cut it down in length a couple of inches. Now to carve something out of the cut off piece. I like the wood and was a learning process as how to cut the wood, One way the dark grain kind of chipped sort of speaking and the other way it didn't. So I had to keep changing directions of my cuts.
All in ALl, It was really fun and hope to carve in Paulownia/paulonia wood again.
Enjoy the carving process and I am sure you will have an OUTSTANDING piece.

I am interested in seeing how different each one is.

Regards

[BasketballJones]

Dave your Santa looks great. I would never figured it that way from the blank. Can't wait to start mine as my free time has been spent learning how to remodel my bathroom. Soon to be 20 years of marital bliss. I could have gotten away cheaper with a diamon ring and a carved Santa. You gave me an idea as to what I'd like to do with mine. The lantern is great nice panting as well.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

thanks! (ummm it says my message is too short!)

[jamesfa]

Hi Goody

just to let you know i received my blank today.now all i have to do is clear up some of my other projects and duties so i can have at him.

Thanks again

Frank

[decoycarve]

Some Tips and Tricks,

One of the things that I like about the paulownia is that even after it is painted the grain still shows thru. An example really shows on the white Santa.

These little low cost reverse rake chisels are great for beard lines. They run around about $8.00 apiece from your favorite supplier. I sanded the side of the handle at the bottom of the Vee flat and made a slight bend in the shank. This allows me to get around the beard without the handle causing me to use too much angle of attack. They hold thier edge pretty good too.

To the rest who has requested a blank. I will make another run this weekend of the roughouts and have them mailed out mid week.

Thanks to all who have posted and hope to see a lot more! Have Fun!
Goody