simple pendant help

[ashejane]

Hi all,

I'm really new to this, I've never carved anything... (unless you count the thing that kinda resembled a clothespin that I whittled when I was 8). I'm a hobby jewelery maker and would like to try carving some things. I'd like to attempt just a small pendant, an inch or two at most, to see if this is something I want to do.

So, a few questions -
What, at minimum, do I need?
What sort of wood would be good for a first attempt?
What do I need to know that I don't know I need to know?!

I have a mighty arsenal of crafting supplies, is there likely to be much that I have that could pull double duty for carving? (I do own a versa tool for soldering and transfers which has a number of wood burning points) Additionally, I own a full size and a baby dremel which I usually use for sanding my resin projects, good for wood too?

I've got some really beautiful designs floating in my head if it turns out I'm any good at this! I really hope someone can give me some pointers to get me started!

Thanks in advance,
Ashley

[AlArchie]

Ashley, for doing small pendants, you may be set up already. A small jewelers saw and those dremels could be all you need. Or if you'd like to do carving with "cutting tools", a small set of palm tools should do the job. If you go this route, get a safety glove, and for small work, a set of magnifiers. Palm tools can be found at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply, in the "beginners kit" for under 50 bucks, along with a decent knife and the safety equipment.

A small vice with plastic jaws is a good idea for holding small carvings. A small hold down clamp fitted to your workbench will also work. That's what I use for pendant work. They are made of steel though so I cut a 1/2" thick piece of 3/4" dowell to put between the clamp and work piece. This prevnts damage to my tools if they slip.

Wear a respirator mask if carving with rotary tools. Some wood dust is toxic and most are irritants, at best.

Cherry burl, birdseye maple or birch, flame maple, tiger maple or any of the figured woods make fine pendants, but are generally hard wood.

Basswood makes a good material to practice with, but has very little grain structure as far a the beauty of wood goes. Also for starters and ease of access, find some good clear white pine or sugar pine at the lumber company. All three of these are fairly easy to carve and the pine may even show some nice grain, but will take acrylic paint well, if that's the route you choose..

You should be able to find most woods in3/8" or 1/2" thick stock if you check the lumber yards and big box stores. Ask the clerk for "hobby wood".

Good luck!

Al

[Tom-H]

Good, no great advice Al.

Tom H

[Ron T]

Hello and welcome, Ashley. It's nice to have you here. I hope you enjoy working with wood and continue with it.

rzpooch is a member who makes pendants just like those you want to carve. Go to Members list, do a members sear for his name, click on his name and then, click on all threads started by rzpooch. He has pictures of several pendants he has made.

BTW, your tools should work very well for your purposes. I believe jewlers use scrapers and if you have any, they will come in handy.

[ashejane]

Hey everybody!

Thanks so much for the help, I'll check out rzpooch's posts and pick up some wood and see what happens! I'll keep you posted with my progress!