Angel ornament tutorial in pictures

[brianrickman]

This is a good beginners project, but it's still quite satisfying even if you have some experience. I like to keep the ornament simple, but if you have the skills, there's no reason you couldn't add lots of details to make it more "realistic".

I start with a block of basswood approximately 2" wide, 3" tall, and 3/4" thick. You can vary the size to suit whatever wood you have handy. I've made these as tall as 6", and as short as 1".

I always wear a carving glove when working on small projects like this. I have gotten blood on my carving every time I tried to do one of these without a glove.

I used a scroll saw to cut the outline. A band saw or coping saw would work fine too. I have also done some without a saw, using a knife for the rough-out, but a saw makes the job much easier.

The only carving tool I use for this project is a knife. In this case, it's a flex-cut detail knife, but most any carving knife will work.

[brianrickman]

In this set of pictures I have rounded the bottom, and started to shape the wings. I like to have the wings angled, with the outside tip at the very front of the carving, and the inside bottom near the back.

[brianrickman]

Here you can see the final shape of the wings. I have also started to shape the body.

[brianrickman]

Here the final shaping has been completed. I like to finish these ornaments with a paste wax. It feels good in my hand and is easy to apply. I just rub it on with an old rag. It darkens the carving a little and smooths it out. I did not do any sanding on this one, except for the very bottom, where I wanted to make a smooth surface to write my initials.

[brianrickman]

Last picture.

I sometimes glue a magnet to the back, sometimes put a loop of wire in the top of the head so it can hang on a Christmas tree, and sometimes (like now) leave it as a shelf or desk sitter.

Please feel free to ask questions if you want more detail about the cuts used to produce these shapes.

This is my original, hand drawn design, though I'm sure it is not really unique. If you think you can make money selling carvings based on my design, please feel free to do so.

[patriclop2pl]

brianrickman!! I was just looking for a cute and simple angel carving for XMAS. Thanks for providing the step and pictures. I will posted when Im done carving it, so you can tell me how I did.

Patty

[brianrickman]

Thanks Patty. I'm glad you like it. I've done about a dozen of these over the last year. They make great gifts.

[Bob K.]

Brian, that does look like a nice simple project...thanks for the excellent tutorial too! By the way my jig is working out just great!

[brianrickman]

Thanks Bob. I'm glad you like the tutorial and the jig. I have not yet used my jig to make a triangular stick, but I have used it to stabilize round stock while cutting it to length. It works very well for that.

All,
The jig that Bob and I are referring to is a V block which holds a square stick at a 45 degree angle so that it can be cut into a pair of triangular sticks. I have a couple extras, so if you want one send me a PM. I'll just ask you to cover the cost of shipping.

[gene-messer]

Great job Brian .. keep it up for the beginners

Gene