These Christmas gifts are all gone

Well , Christmas is over and it's time to start carving some more Christmas gifts for next year. Here are some walkingsticks and wood spirits as well as a mantel I carved as gifts for this Christmas.
Whittlebit.
http://groups.msn.com/WildWoodAlbums...nw?albumlist=2

http://groups.msn.com/WildWoodAlbums...nw?albumlist=2

I'll bet there were some very pleased recipients! Great looking work.

Al

Whittlebit,
Nice carvings really like those woodspirits but then I am partial to woodspirits. I sure hope I am on your Christmas list next year.
Colin

whittlebit, I loved looking at your walking stick (my favorite subject) and your woodspirits. Haven't got to the mantel yet, but will in a moment. That Osage woodspirit is awesome! I just love that wood! Did you use knives and gouges? or power tools? That carving just glows!
...... Just now saw the mantle, great work!

Donna

I agree with Donna
great work

What did you use to carve the Osage ( they call it Bodark around here) I know it is a mighty tough wood to whittle on

I use Stubai gouges and a Dremel most times on harder woods such as black walnut and osage orange. When I finished the osage carving , I like to wipe these with tung oil to really bring out the color and grain then give it a few coats of Deft simi-gloss.
Whittlebit.

REALLY nice work, Whittlebit. Your woodspirits have great character!

Teri

[Callynne]

Very nice work!! I really like the mantel too, too bad our fireplace has a brick one, if it was wood I'd be tearing into it, I really like how your carved one looks!! Callynne

Whittlebit- Great carvings! You must have made some people really smile this year. What kind of wood did you use for the mantle?
Happy carving-
Barry

The mantel is Mahogony with a light stain.