Santas

[Marci MN]

Just a few questions here.

Since I've started carving ornaments I would like to start my own collection of Santa Carvings. I'm still in the dark on how to do them in the round..but would like to eventually have my own collection.

In your opinion, what is the best book on how to learn to do Santa carvings in the round. Start me out simple please...

[mikeg]

Cyndi Joslyn has a nice book called "Carving Santas from Around the World". I like it. It's laid out well and she gives lots of painting tips too.

mikeg

[BobD]

Cyndi stops by to visit here once in a while. I like the way she takes you from a square block the whole way through carving without requiring a bandsaw. Her pattern ideas are really ahead of their time!

She did an santa ornament in the Holiday issue of WCI that's on my list--and a heart article is coming up in our Spring issue.

Bob

[Mitchell]

Need a book on Santa carving? Look here:

http://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/s...lCat=39&step=1

Best source in the business......

Recommendations would be Shipley (easy to follow), Streetman (who has at least 4 books with LOTS of patterns), Wolfe (many books and one of the carvers that got a lot of folks started), Ranson (again, easy to follow), and Joslyn (already mentioned).

If you find one of these and click on the book, more will be listed as an option at the bottom of the page - nice feature.

[Marci MN]

Oh Lordy.. I went over there..and I think I want one of each book! And not of just Santa's. Wow. I know I've seen the book flyer that comes with the magazine.. but didnt know there were waaaay more of them in the bookstore.

Thank you soo much!

[mikeg]

Don't forget to keep an eye on their web specials. You can get some good deals there!

mikeg

[MDWine]

Marci,

I am so new that I stink! I tried Cyndi's pattern in the WCI magazine, and it is a great start. I think it is a great step-by-step tutorial, and really helped me to learn some of the basics. Mine is not quite like hers, but I'm off to a great start!

I was foturnate enough to find a carving club, and went to see them last night. Waddya know? Several of those folks were carving the exact same pattern! (With there own twists, of course)

It was really great to see someone carve, I had only read about it up to this point. I finally realized that I was not so far off!

Try that pattern, and see if you can hook up with other carvers in your area! I'm really glad I did!

HTH!

Michael

[Callynne]

Oh Marci, you're in trouble now....I started out wanting just a few decorations for family and self....that quickly turned into a carving addiction and led me into other addictions....tools...books....more tools....more books....more tools, it's endless, my dear, endless....AND I'm loving it!!! Welcome to the best addiction in the world! Deborah

[Goody]

Send me an address and I will send you a santa roughout to try. See the Christmas in July thread in the Holiday forum to see what a lot of us has done with the blank.
Goody

[Marci MN]

DecoyDave, I've been following that thread. Its amazing the talent that has been working on those roughouts. I dont own a knife as of yet.. so I dont think I can do that rough out justice. All I'm using is just a lil ol' dremel.

I've been doing just ornaments, I think its called relief carving, with the dremel. I just did my very first ever Santa in ornament form...and now I do have to agree with Deborah, I'm hooked. *grin*

I did try doing one in the round with the dremel... I'm not doing so well with that so I'm going back to just ornaments.

Thanks for the help on those books tho.. more goodies to dream about.