Carving a Celtic Love Spoon

[Carving_Celtic]

This is actually my first Love Spoon. I designed it over last weekend.

Years ago I always roughed out my work with a Laminate trimmer (see pic).

I would place carbon paper under the pattern I chose or designed and trace it onto the basswood.
The trick to using a laminate trimmer or rotozip or dremel tool is to have a good clear plastic shroud surrounding the cutting area.
You must only cut in multiple passes of 1/8th inch depths as cutting too deep into your project will cause the trimmer to pull and that can prove very dangerous.

In these pictuires I have roughed out my love spoon on my CNC Router. I invested in this machine because it made sense for me if I wanted to have a Celtic Wood Carving School. I could Rough out the heavy wood so the students could begin carving right away.

Notice how the students have the general roughout of the Spoon but they still have to carve the knotwork, hands, heart, crown etc.....

I did not want beginners to have to start from scratch. I thought if I could get them three to five hours into their work I would have a better chance at the school surviviving.

I would love to answer questions you may have.

Bern

[Tom-H]

Bernie, I think that when I (if I) complete one of these; I'll truly have an appreciation of the effort and patience, that goes into this type of carving. Something tells me I'll need a quart of super glue....unless I use power...Thanks, Tom H

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I just received some spoons from James and kind of checked it out today, will start seriously carving later...going to be an interesting carve...thanks James...how about a picture of a completed spoon? Cheers

[Carving_Celtic]

Here Ya Go

[Irishman]

Another "carving I want to do" added to my long list. Your spoiling your students...your roughouts alone look good enough to hang on the wall.
Patrick