Santa Ornament Carving Stick(s)

[Coffeeman]

I happen to use this concept when I'm doing my Santa Ornaments, but one can apply this thought process to many other subjects. So I thought i should share this little helpful device, it just may help someone else down the line.

I started collecting USED Santa dolls at flea markets and garage sales often costing only a buck apiece. This might sound cruel, but my interest only lies in the heads, face, hats, etc. I will keep a body if I find the shape and design of interest, and those are stored in another plastic box for future reference material.

When I begin carving I'll bring out roughly 10 faces and line them up for fast reference as I'm carving, I like viewing different eyes, beards, hair lines, foreheads, etc, as I progress I make changes as I go from the inspiration off of the dolls. I also use and save many pictures, cards, etc. but I really find the three dimensional dolls heads priceless.

Hope you can "feel" what I'm trying to put into words, but anyway, have fun carving.

Bill

[Dan C]

Thanks Bill! I find that suggestion helpful. Often, when I'm at Hobby Lobby at Christmas time, or some similar store, I'll stand and look at the cheaply made Santas for sale and look for interesting ideas. Of course, weeks later, I might as well not have bothered, because I don't have what I saw in my mind anymore. These plastic or plaster figures are usually pretty expensive, so I'm never tempted to buy them just for inspiration sake. Keeping an eye out at flea markets, and at garage and yard sales makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tip!

Dan C.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Bill, you have a good collection of Santas Heads to work with and I can see how they would be a great help to carving them. Good idea. Merle

[Ron T]

Bill, definitely a good idea.

[Tom-H]

Hey Bill! Here's a good lesson to read all the pst, before making a judgement. As soon as I looked at the photos of the Santa heads, I thought egads they look like plastic. I thought wow, then I checked the poster,"Coffeeman". My mind said, naw somethins wrong; that's not the way he carves. Finally, my dense head said read it.......all of it.

Good tip!

Tom H

[Ed Redwine]

It's a neat idea Bill. I rather suspect several of us collect at least a few Santa's for reference. It's amazing how different the Jolly Old Elf can be portrayed.
Ed

[Joy]

Good idea! I wouldn't have thought to just save heads. I do have a large collection of Santas that have been purchased over the years......but I didn't even think of looking at them for inspiration. Duh!!!!!!

[Robert Cahill]

That is a great idea my wife loves elfs and gnomes will have to start collecting. Thanks for sharing.

[Kenny_S]

I agree, Great Idea Bill. Thanks for the tip!

[mpounders]

What a great idea! Thanks mucho.