Nativity Scene

[Howie]

Howdy folks,

Since my wife and I started dating 9 years ago, I've gotten her mom a Christmas ornament every season. This year, I thought I'd try carving her a nativity scene. My style, as some of you may know, is very simplistic and what I can 'artsy' due to the lack of skill, power tools and so on.

I'm wondering if anyone else has ever done this, and/or could share some experience with me. I figure I should get started early!

Thanks,

-M

[coneyankee]

Howie,

I am also a bedinner and I had the same thought last year. I bought a great book "Woodcarving The Nativity in the Folk Art Style" by Shawn Cipa. Great book with detailed instruction. It is a 15 piece set, I did the main 3 pieces last year and I plan on giving her a couple of pices a year until it is complete.

[Dougie]

Howie
Gene Messer has a miniature nativity set on you tube that does not require a bandsaw.
Doug

[Whittled Thumb]

Yes. I carved a santa ornament and gave it to my in-laws last year. The wood I carved it from came from her dads stash. Turns out all their trim was done in bass wood. The santa was really good and Im thinking about starting new ornaments for others this year. Time has been escaping me lately though. Look in the videos or this website for Gene Mesners Nativity scene. Its an easy to carve Gene style. I think he does all the pieces. I'm not sure

[carver33]

I second Shawn Cipa's book. You can carve a figure at a time, and I've seen some pretty nice results from a couple of beginning carvers.

[DickB]

I'm using Shawn Cipa's book also. I really like the style & the faces are basically the same. I'm in the process of carving three sets. I try to do at least 3 different pieces for all 3 sets each year. The kids & grand kids look forward each Christmas to see what they'll get. I agree, Shawn's book is great for a beginning carver.
DickB

[Robert Cahill]

Here are some pictures from Shawn Cipas book

[Robert Cahill]

Some from Lynn Dials book the flat plane Nativity. Not stained yet. I reduced the measurements on the last picture to half size . I left one large one to show the difference

[Robert Cahill]

One more from Larry Greens book First projects he shows a neat manger he carved in his which I have not done yet

[BobD]

Robert,
Are those pieces you've carved, or photos scanned from the book?

Best Regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor