My first Chip Carving completed

[Timberwolf]

After LOTS of practice and basically wearing out the pages of the chip carving "How to" book by Dennis Moor of "Chipping Away" fame, I present my first chip carved wall plaque.

It is obviously got my name on it. I am giving it to the wife as a gift to commemorate our upcoming 17th wedding anniversary.

All letters were pretty much free hand with some straight edge assist on the "RIVET" portion of the carving.

I have coated it in mineral spirits / boiled linseed oil mixture and am thinking about framing it in something dark.

Your comments and critiques are welcome.

Thanks for stopping in!

[papasar]

Very nice Bob. I'm sure your wife will love it.
Bill K.

[CarverRog]

Yes, this is a keeper!! I'm sure she will be surprised. Keep practicing you will soon not need that straight edge. Keep them coming we want to see more.

[carver33]

Nicely done - I'm sure that your wife will love it.

I personally wouldn't frame it, I think that the relief design frames it very nicely already.

[brent]

Looks to be a super job for your first try.

[My Chip Carving]

Well done, Bob.
You should take great pride in this plaque.
I'm curious what you mean by "straight edge assist"?
Did you run your knife along a steel rule?

Marty
https://www.MyChipCarving.com
866-444-6996

[Timberwolf]

Thank you all for your comments!

Marty, what I meant by "straight edge assist" on the lettering was that the lettering for "The" and "Est 1993" were free hand sketched and then carved while the word "RIVETS" were sketched first with either a straight edge and circle templates, and then carved.

Thanks again to all! I already have plans of purchasing some basswood boxes to carve for my wife and daughter for Christmas, as well as chip carving plaques and ornaments for Christmas gifts.

I want to use my own designs but struggle with the layouts. I downloaded a freeware autoCAD software and am self teaching myself to use it for layouts.

Will post pics of layouts and carvings as they progress.

I find chip carving to be extremely rewarding as it is probably the most challenging trying to maintain a proper consistent angle on my chips as well as using proper ergonomic positioning as I tend to let my elbows "fly" which has caused more than one dose of Ibuprofen for my elbow joints and forearm muscles.

I'd love to take classes, but can find none in my area. Looks like YouTube and research will be my guide.

[My Chip Carving]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

I'd love to take classes, but can find none in my area.

Hey Bill,
No travel needed to take some of my online classes!
Take a look at the online lessons and patterns I have available.
Gold Membership - free, 10 lessons, 10 patterns, E-letter
Platinum Membership - 14-day free trial, 37 lessons and patterns, one new lesson and pattern every month, E-letter
https://mychipcarving.com/Chip_Carvi...ee_eletter.htm
https://mychipcarving.com/amember/signup.php

Here's a time saver I wished I'd had 25 years ago when I first started chip carving - the Pattern Transfer Tool. I use it all the time! All you need is a photo copied pattern or laser printed pattern.
https://mychipcarving.com/Chip_Carving/Store/layout.htm

Keep in touch. You're off to a great start!!
Marty
https://www.MyChipCarving.com
866-444-6996

[Kadiddle]

Looks like all that practice paid off for you. A carving to be very proud of.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Great job Bob, you wife will love it!

Dave