Ho Ho Ho Fish

[Irish]

American Flag Minnow

Measures 5½” long x 2½” high

Supplies:
4 ½” x1 ½” x2” basswood block
copper sheeting for fins
hole punch

This classic decoy is extremely easy and quick. For an in-depth look at decoy carving Fox Chapel has several excellent books and a Wood Carving Illustrated Special Edition on Whittling.

The body is shaped and sanded to a smooth finish. Cut the fins and tail from copper sheeting then rib the copper by scoring parallel lines in the copper using the back edge of your scissors. Set the fins aside until the painting steps are complete.

Apply two primer coats of titanium white, antique white or pale beige to the entire decoy body and allow to dry. Place a small strip of 1” wide painter’s tape over the gill line area and using an craft utility knife cut along the gill line. Lift the tape in the face area, leaving the tape in the body area. Save the lifted tape.

Paint the face Wedgwood blue bringing your brush strokes onto the painter’s tape. Allow the blue to dry for several minutes. Lift the painter’s tape. You will have a clean crisp line along the gill pattern line.

Allow the blue to dry well. Reapply the lifted gill tape that covers the face. You can cut ¼” wide strips of painter’s tape to cover the white stripe areas in the body. Apply cadmium red or burgundy paint to the red stripe areas.

Allow this color to dry for several minutes and then remove the painter’s tape. Allow the decoy to dry well. Finish with two or three light coats of matte acrylic spray sealer.

Cut the troughs for the fins and tail. Insert the copper pieces and set with glue. Using a hole punch with a small diameter hole make three holes in the front dorsal fin.

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I had several carved decoys and patterns left over from the magazine Whittling special from this year and thought I would share them.

Susan

[Irish]

And these ...

I have not made a pattern for the sea dragon, it was just a fun-for-me carving. It's articulated by carving him in three pieces and jointing those pieces using screw eyes and jump rings. The wings are from a sheet of copper that I ribbed.

Sheet copper can be expensive so other ideas for fin materials includes cat food can lids, soda cans, and even plastic milk bottles. For wood fins also play with cork board, chip board, scrap book paper, and natural feathers.

Happy holidays and happy whittling.

Susan

[Nomad]

Wonderful projects Susan! Thanks for posting them.

[MelNM]

I like this Susan I been meaning to carve one of these, I like them a lot.
You and your family have a very Merry Christmas
Mel

[toycarver]

That Indian Tattoo decoy is really interesting, and the Sea Dragon. I like the look of the ribbed fins too. Your carvings are very inspiring. I'd go nuts snooping around your carving room..or wherever it is you display most of your carvings!

[Irish]

Geez Kris ... most of them are in boxes, stored away with the instructions and patterns. In fact, I don't have even one 'on display' around the house.

Susan

[toycarver]

Oh man, we need to fix that!!!

What about your Christmas tree, are there lots of Irish ornaments gracing it?

[toycarver]

I was going to mention, I have carved a fish decoy (not my pattern) where the mouth is open and the teeth are sections of an 1/8" bandsaw blade (about 1 1/2" long). I think it looks pretty neat.

[Mottles]

Very cool, Susan...thank you for sharing.

I was looking at your Avatar and just had to smile...I think this face is in one of your books I have. Anyway it struck me that the expression had that Christmas look we all get either before or after all things Christmas. Except for of course the joy of being with loved ones!

[idigjars]

Very nice. Thank you for sharing them with us. Paul