Jack in the box WIP

[susieq]

I am currently working on several Jack in the Box Christmas tree ornaments for display at our local club show in March. The one I did last year was well received and got a lot of attention so I am encouraged to do a couple more.

The first shot shows the blank I cut out. I had cut more than one so one shows thickness and the other, profile. Then a shot of some roughing, a carved one with a separate frilly collar added to it, and one with my thumb and fingers in the shot so you can see how small they are.

[susieq]

I also did one from scratch, no pre cut blank. It's how I do a lot of my santas and I was looking for something a little different. His hat is wilted...the two pointy parts with bells on, now hang either side of his head. He is wearing a party mask. I put the other one in so you could see they are about the same size. Still have to carve a collar for the second one and that will be different from the collar on the first one. I'm hoping that the second one doesn't look too sinister after he's painted...nobody would hang a sinister looking jester on their tree... I have cut out the boxes but not carved them yet. The spring/accordian looking thing that their heads mount on in the box, I have carved those and hope to have one head mounted on that by tomorrow.

I have also carved a "santa" jack in the box too. Will take some pics of him and post. He is carved, box and all but not painted yet.

[hwallen48]

Originally Posted by susieq

I am currently working on several Jack in the Box Christmas tree ornaments for display at our local club show in March. The one I did last year was well received and got a lot of attention so I am encouraged to do a couple more.

The first shot shows the blank I cut out. I had cut more than one so one shows thickness and the other, profile. Then a shot of some roughing, a carved one with a separate frilly collar added to it, and one with my thumb and fingers in the shot so you can see how small they are.

SusieQ

Jacks looking good , keep us informed with pictures please! Can't wait to see the finished version!

[William]

Very nice susieq,
I love the first one and he has a wonderful profile.
Bill
^v^

[Merle Rice]

Hi Susie, Very nice carvings,as usual. Dop you do the whole carving with power tools? Sure have nice clean smooth cuts. Merle

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Now that's clever. What are you going to use for the spring?

[Simplyme]

Truly love it.....holding my breath waiting for more pics.......

[susieq]

Thanks for the positive feed back.....
Yes, Merle, this is all power carving. They're so tiny and doing eyes on something that small, I get frustrated that my smallest bit isn't small enough. The first head is tupelo anyhow and you have to use power with tupelo. The "jester" head is jelutong just because I had a chunk the right size to start carving on.

Lynn, the spring will be carved. It will appear to be a cloth covered spring. I cut out 4 of everything and carved those first. If you don't remember the Jack in the Box that I posted at the beginning of the year, here he is. I tried to post some close ups but they are already posted in the Holiday section under New Christmas Tree ornament and the site won't allow duplicates to be posted in other threads... He is 3 1/2 inches tall.

The spring will be as on this one. I had thought of carving a spiral piece of wood for the spring. Might experiment with that sometime just to test for strength. Had also considered hunting around my husbands workshop for a heavy old metal spring and use that..... Even making one out of heavy copper wire, something I have a lot of on hand because of my bonsai hobby.
One of these days I will come up with a different one but on these guys, that part is already done.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions

[Bill V]

Hi Susie;
Really nice carving ,and detail. Your detail and painting on the one you did in the begining of the year was excellent. I wish I could carve that small ,but I would have more cuts on my fingers than the wood if I could hold on to it. Always enjoy seeing your work.

Bill

[carver33]

Susieq,

Looking really good so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished products.