My first yam carving

[jmischel]

While waiting for the turkey on Thanksgiving, I thought I'd try my hand at carving a sweet potato. Now I just have to wait for it to dry . . .

Funny things to carve, those sweet potatoes. It'll take some getting used to, but I can see how people could find it very engaging.

Funny thing, too: my wife peeled a little of the potato with my carving knife. She said, "why aren't my knives this sharp?" Guess I'll have to do a little work on her kitchen knives.

I also learned of a new art form: beer bottle art. Put an empty beer bottle in the coals of the campfire and then wait until the fire's out and there's nothing but ash. The cracks in my examples below show that I pulled them out too soon, before they had cooled. But it's something I'll definitely have to experiment with some more.

[Donsexton]

Looks good Dude and makes me hungry too.

[Mottles]

Hey, Jim cool looking sweet potato guy. I've carved them too, and the fun part is watching them contort as they dry. After I'm finished carving one I drive a large nail though the potato (about where you show the brim of the hat), wrap some string around each end and hang to dry (helps them to dry evenly on all sides).
One of our carving club members carves a lot of ones he has painted. People go nuts for these little guys and gals especially when they learn what they are carved from. Don't have any examples of ones I've carved 'sold them all' $10.00 each. Almost, forgot cool looking beer bottles too!
Kathy

[wildhare]

Hey Jim, cool looking Yam man. I am gonna have to try one.

I like your bottle art too. Try heating them up slowly and then cooling them down slowly to keep them from cracking.

Wanda

[vern1026]

Will they start to stink if I let one dry in the house?

[jmischel]

> Will they start to stink if I let one dry in the house?

I don't know, vern, but I'll be sure to report either way once I find out. I've had mine on my desk since Sunday afternoon. My wife hasn't complained of any smell yet, so I suspect there's not a problem. But it's going to take a few more weeks to dry.

[jmischel]

Thanks Don, Kathy, and Wanda. 10 bucks each, huh? Maybe I should start preparing for the spring craft fairs . . .

[vern1026]

How long do you think it will take to dry for a smaller size yam? At least a month? Just finished my first yam, and second carving ever thats why all the questions. Thanks

[Curtscarving]

Really like to see him all dried out.
Curt

[Pracuss]

I have carved a few myself. I've learned that once carved, avoid touching them while they dry-out. I place mine on a wooden dowel stand and place them somewhere warm. They will shrink to about 1/4th of original size in about 10-12 weeks. They have no odor while in the drying process. I've done them with minimal and extreme detail, the potato will decide a lot of texture and style on its own.Have also carved apples, they are fun also.

Here's a pic of Indian Apples.

Dennis (Wyandotte, MI)