Branches

[windsong]

Eddy
I tried and tried to figure out how to carved the tails on the branch roosters.I was using all green wood.Then i figured out to carve the head and body then let the branch dry for about a day then when you carve the tail it will curl wright up for you.Hope this helps.I have carved about a 100 of these things and only have about 10 left another great gifts for the kids at church.
Vic

[Keoma]

Thank you for posting-these look fun!

[menehune]

Are you using any particular type of wood for those? Or just whatever is handy?

[Lightningbolt]

Nice job on the branch birds as they are one of my favorite things to carve too and you're right... they make great gifts. I had a hard time getting my tails to curl just right and know that if I'd had the patience to carve 100 of them then I would most assuredly catch on but instead, I began to experiment for a method that would work better for me.

I now stock red maple "forked" branches in large quantities and also store several bags of dry shavings made with a draw knife on my shaving horse. I then cut about 5 slots into the stubby tail on the branch fork and insert 5 carefully selected, well-curled shavings into the slots with a little wood glue. They look great and every one is a good 'un.

Last September two of my roosters went for $50.00 at auction for a local charity. I know that these kinds of auctions tug on folks heart strings and sometimes bring inflated prices but it was pretty inspiring nonetheless.

Thanks for sharing your pictures!

[windsong]

Thank you Keoma and Menehune for the nice comments.I make most of them out of birch because i like the color and the nice patterns on the birch wood plus it smell good when you carve it. but any wood will be do.
Vic

[windsong]

Lightingbolt
Thats a good ideal.There is all way a way to make it work.This year at the family get together.I donated a bunch of carving to there aution.The money was raised to help keep the family grave yard clean and the up keep done.It made me feel good to know some of my carving helped.