Idea for Christmas present

[Dan S]

I've made a number of these name plates over the years, although none as elaborate as this one. They are always well received and not too difficult to make. If you wish to try one you will need a scroll saw for the letters and a router for the base.
For the letters I go into Word on my computer and use a font which I think will cut and carve well. I think this is Monotype something. I enlarge the font to 140 and condense the letters so they connect and look nice. I then paste the sheet to the wood (in this case 1/4" purple heart) and cut it out. I always use a hard exotic wood for the letters as these woods take detail very well and look nice. I use knives for the most part to sculp the front of the letters once I cut it. Before I mount the letter to the base I bevel the base back about 20 degrees on my disc sander. It really gives them a nice look.
The base is also purple heart with a routed edge. The stones, cat tail, and frog are all carved from bass wood. The dragonfly was carved from maple. (the frog was carved while witing in lines at Disneyland)
You can get really creative doing these and incorporate whatever themes the person likes. I've done one for a dentist where the base was carved like teeth. I've used a pyramid and other bases. I'm planning one now with a Native American theme and one with a walking tiger.

[Josef]

COOL! I like it a lot. Joe.

[brent]

That's really nice work there!!

[cgm]

Hi Dan, Thank for the ideas! very well done. I have a question, are those rocks real or carved and painted?
Carl

[aulddiy]

You've made a real effort there and it shows. the carving the painting and the idea are all great.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Dan, you can see your imagination at work and you create it very well. Very nice on the eyes. Merle

[draft51@aol.com]

Dan thats a beautiful piece, it doesn't matter if it was easy or hard to you, but very well done. Thanks for sharing. fred k

[Midnight Carver]

That's an impressive piece. Thanks for sharing

Eric

[Dan S]

I'm glad you all like it. The "rocks" are basswood painted with acrylics. Give one a shot. They are not really difficult.

Dan

[Old Codger]

Awesome carving Dan! I too had difficulty trying to determine what was 'carved' and what was 'nature made'... Nice, very nice indeed! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Kenn