Fun, easy, learner projects

[Howie]

Hi folks,

I'm planning on doing a few more 5-minute wizard and spirits as practice, and I had an epic fail at doing something original (howling dog without a pattern). I've carved a small egg with a scrap and I'm looking for a few more good, easy starter projects.

There aren't many books on carving around my area that I've been able to locate, and the ones I do find typically include relief carving, turning, knife slection and sharpening, etc., with only one or two patterns.

Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed - or even if you can give me an idea of your own early projects and possible failures, that might motivate me too!

-Howie

[bigarm]

Go to Wood carving resources Jim’s Random Notes click on two video tabs and this will take you to You Tube for some great carving lessons. By two people who give so much to this great hobby and a big help to beginners. I know they have sure helped me.

[Mark Dellinger]

Howie,

I saw your howling dog earlier but have not commented yet, but I felt it was coming along just fine. One thing for beginner to remember is to not to be too hard on yourself. It is hard when you see certain carvings on here or other places that you feel are better than yours, you must remember that we all started somewhere and people learn at different paces and with different natural abilities. You have picked a fine hobby that will help tremendously in relieving stress and will quite enjoyable. If you have not already done so check out WoodCarving on You Tube videos and you will find what I believe you are looking for or go to the left of the page under sections and look at these videos. Gene and Arlene have some great videos. Gary Mac also has some great videos. When you work on some of their projects and get get some of them under your belt check out "OutWest Galleries" and Lynn can show a lot of technique and has some good follow along videos. You have come to the right place to find help for what ever style or level of carving you are at. As you can see bigarm has already given you a link as well. Keep doing what you are and ask those questions.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[ka0fan]

Hi Howie,
Something I started doing when I began carving was snowmen. They can be really simple to very detailed. I still carve quite a few as ornaments and most are pretty simple with out a lot of detail. I use up a lot of scrap wood and have a lot fun too.
Have A Great Day
Terry

[Buffalo Bif]

The fact that you are looking at your work and critiquing it yourself is great- you are on the road to becoming a beetter carver already. Try another howling hound, keep your comments about your first one in mind, and see what you end up with.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

One of my first carvings was also a snowman, very easy to do. Nothing to cut out, took a block of wood and just started to carve.

Dave

[Dileon]

There are tons of woodcarving books on Amazon, spend 30 dollars and get shipping free/ Amazon books are always cheaper then the book stores, and with the free shipping,.... priceless as they arrive within a week of ordering. I have a whole bookcase on wood carving , as I get the used one almost like new for really cheap sometimes. I do not want to recommend a book as it easy to pick one yourself as you can also see how they rated.

[littlefatbuddy]

I found several easy patterns in the woodcarving magazines. I have also shopped amazon extensively. I agree with you about beginner books as I have purchased some books that do not have a selection of patterns but they have helped in other ways. Since I have zero experience and I am experiencing the same thing I will be going to a local woodcarving club next weekend and hope to find some great resources there.

[jmischel]

I recently updated my list of videos from Gene Messer and Arleen. See them at:

http://blog.mischel.com/gene-messers-carving-videos/
http://blog.mischel.com/arlene-carverswoodshop-carving-videos/

Also, I posted this last year: a couple of projects that I found very useful.

EASY ideas