Articles & Stories – Wood Chip Chatter

Illustrated Guide To Carving Tree Bark

Illustrated Guide To CARVING TREE BARK by Rick Jensen and Jack A. Williams A Book Review The “Illustrated Guide To CARVING TREE BARK” is the most comprehensive book on cottonwood bark carving I have ever seen. Published in 2004 by Fox Chapel Publishing Company this 75-page guide is chock full, from cover to cover, withContinue reading “Illustrated Guide To Carving Tree Bark”

Wood Properties of Cottonwood

COTTONWOOD, EASTERN Populus deltoides (Populus – ancient Latin name; deltoides – triangular in reference to the leaf shape) This tree is known also by several other names, including ASPEN COTTONWOOD, CAROLINA POPLAR, RIVER POPLAR, WATER POPLAR, YELLOW COTTONWOOD. The tree grows to a height of 100 ft. or more, with a diameter from 5 toContinue reading “Wood Properties of Cottonwood”

Making Emblems & Logos For Wood Carvings

We all love wood carving but most of us all hate painting. I think part of the reason why is because we are not good at it. Painting is an art form of its own and just like wood carving it takes a lot of practice to get good at it. The area of paintingContinue reading “Making Emblems & Logos For Wood Carvings”

Basic Knives for Beginning Whittlers

Basic Knives for Beginning Whittlers Whittling with pocket knives Before I got my first whittling knife I used my pocket knife, which, so long as it was sharp, did a great job. Throughout whittling history, whittlers used pockets knifes and some still choose them over specialized whittling knives. For me, the main benefit is that theyContinue reading “Basic Knives for Beginning Whittlers”

Woods of the European Union

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season, and as we look toward the new year ahead we look forward to doing a lot more carving, improving our carving techniques and maybe even getting out to one or two carving shows, or join a club and make new friends. There is a lotContinue reading “Woods of the European Union”

Are You Wasting Money On Wood Finish?

I‘ve been working hard on my booklet project these past few weeks although I did manage to take some time off for family, the Thanksgiving holiday and to put Wood Chip Chatter together for this month. I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and got your fill of turkey and pumpkin pie. We hadContinue reading “Are You Wasting Money On Wood Finish?”

Add Artificial Snow to Your Carvings

Add artificial snow to your holiday carvings and make them really stand out! It’s that time of year again when wood carvers gear up to carving for Christmas, and if you’re like me your Christmas carvings include lots of snowmen and snow scenes. These carvings often require adding snow as part of the carving/project. OneContinue reading “Add Artificial Snow to Your Carvings”

Halloween and the Jack-O-Lantern

This week I have a Halloween treat I think you will not only enjoy, but will perhaps also learn a little something along the way. Enjoy! The Story of Halloween Most people think of Halloween as a night of dress up in ghostly or funny costumes, to have parties, or to go “trick-or-treating” and neverContinue reading “Halloween and the Jack-O-Lantern“

Carve A Simple Christmas Penguin Ornament

Carve A Simple Christmas Penguin Ornament By Bob Kozakiewicz This is a 9 step tutorial on how to carve a Simple Christmas Penguin Ornament. 1. Start with a 1″ square x 5 1/4″ block of basswood and mark the blank according to the diagram. 2. Make stop cuts along both the upper and lower linesContinue reading “Carve A Simple Christmas Penguin Ornament“

Basic Relief Carving

Basic Relief Carving This article describes relief carving in the medium of wood, although relief carving is also done in stone and other materials. Relief carving, when done in stone, is usually referred to as relief sculpture. Relief carving is a type of wood carving in which figures are carved in a flat panel of wood. The figures project onlyContinue reading “Basic Relief Carving”