This month (October) is my annual Halloween Special issue where I’ll be telling some Halloween and Wood Spirit stories. Long-time subscribers may have seen a couple of these but I’m posting them again for the benefit of all the new subscribers who just joined this year. However, I’m sure you will all find something newContinue reading “Halloween, Jack-O-Lanterns & Wood Spirits”
Category Archives: Carving Critiques
21 Tips for a Rotary Tool
21 Tips For a Rotary Tool by Doug North 1. Choosing a Rotary Tool: Try to choose one that has at least two speeds — more if possible. Depending on the material to be cut, different bits will work best at specific speeds. 2. Wear Eye Protection: Because of the extremely high speed at whichContinue reading “21 Tips for a Rotary Tool”
Carve an Americana Goose Egg
The patriotic holidays will soon be upon us so I thought this is a good time to present a carving project to help celebrate the occasions. I designed my Americana Goose Egg to be a simple project that can be completed in a short time with very few tools. A carving knife and V-tool areContinue reading “Carve an Americana Goose Egg”
Walnut Oil – Questions & Answers
I’ve been advocating the use of walnut oil on your wood carvings for quite awhile. Most people are not as familiar with walnut oil as they are with its combustible counterpart, boiled linseed oil. Here, then are some questions and answers about the use and qualities of walnut oil you might find helpful. Walnut OilContinue reading “Walnut Oil – Questions & Answers”
Five Myths About Woodcarving
Five Myths About Woodcarving from “The Complete Woodcarver’s Handbook” by Graham R. Bull Myth 1– You Need to Be Artistic If ever there was a myth about doing woodcarving it is this one. Being artistic may well be a natural part of some people’s makeup, but it is not a prerequisite to being able toContinue reading “Five Myths About Woodcarving”
Wood Properties of Red Oak
Wood Properties of Red Oak OAK, NORTHERN RED Quercus rubra (rubra – red) Northern red oak is known also as CANADIAN RED OAK, GRAY OAK and RED OAK. This tree grows across the mid-eastern part of southern Canada and the eastern section of the United States as far south as Alabama and Arkasas, and itContinue reading “Wood Properties of Red Oak”
The Stories of Halloween & the Jack-O-Lantern
This month (October) is my annual Halloween Special issue where I’ll be telling some Halloween and Wood Spirit stories. Long-time subscribers may have seen a couple of these but I’m posting them again for the benefit of all the new subscribers who just joined this year. However, I’m sure you will all find something newContinue reading “The Stories of Halloween & the Jack-O-Lantern”
Learn Through Experimentation
I‘ve been carving for close to 60 years now and I’m still learning. That’s the thing about carving, you never stop learning. The more you look around, the more you find new ways of doing things, whether it’s how to carve eyes or how to antique your carvings. There’s always something out there that youContinue reading “Learn Through Experimentation”
“2023 Woodcarving Shows & Events”
Remaining Woodcarving Shows & Events for 2023 The following is a list of the remaining woodcarving shows & events for 2023. Get out and look for one near you! June 1-3 – Clayton, Indiana. Central Indiana Woodcarvers Roundup at Martha’s Orchard; 9-5 daily. $15 preregistered; $20 at the door. Bob Woodruff (317) 459-4454. June 2-4Continue reading ““2023 Woodcarving Shows & Events””