Attend the upcoming Pennsylvania event that attracts carvers from all over the country Photo by Mike Wine The Lancaster County Woodcarvers (LCWC) are gearing up for their 49th Annual Woodcarving & Wildlife Art Festival in Millersville, Pa. The festival is expected to have a record number of exhibitors (over 60), including the Woodcarving Illustrated magazine team, and various vendors. Carvers will also have opportunities to carve and learn with a simple five-minute owl and hedgehog project, as well as numerous demonstrations throughout the weekend. Carvers leading demonstrations include St ..read more

The Spring 2024 issue of Woodcarving Illustrated includes a variety of projects, patterns, and features, as well as interesting techniques. This issue is a part of the regular magazine subscription. It is also available from your favorite retailer or from Fox Chapel Publishing, foxchapelpublishing.com or 1-800-457-9112. Scroll down for a sneak peek! Purchase the Issue  Print Magazine Subscription Digital Magazine Subscription In This Issue Features Magic Touch Cecilia Schiller’s entertaining automata encourage interaction By Dorissa Bolinski Pat ..read more

These earthy baubles are so easy and satisfying to make, you might  just fill a jewelry box By Jan Jenson At a carving show last summer, a woman asked me if I could recreate one of her earrings because she had lost its mate. This project is the result of our conversation. It was challenging, but also interesting, to make something so small. I experimented with different designs and finishing techniques, such as staining before or after carving. Because they’re made from wood, these earrings are very light and they don’t get cold on your neck in winter! Getting Started Ph ..read more

Learn about uncommon tools, ideal woods, and a game-changing technique By Joseph A. Savarese If you’re just getting started with relief carving, there’s a lot to take in. My goal in this article is to introduce approaches to design, woods you can try other than common basswood, useful techniques, and non-traditional carving tools on the market. As you pick up new tricks and techniques, be sure to stuff them into your pockets and carry them with you throughout your carving journey. You can even merge them with your own creations to form a unique carving style! I chose a rose as the subject, as ..read more

It all comes down to fit and steel quality By Lora S. Irish You will notice, as you search for a new carving knife, that there are enough choices on the market to make your head spin. So how do you sort through them all to find the tool that’s right for you? Here’s a quick guide to get you started. After you select the right knife for you, try it out on one of our carving projects, such as Heart-Shaped Bottle Stopper. Bench Knives The tool we call a bench knife comes in many shapes and sizes. Some have long blades that may extend up to 4″ (102mm) from the handle, while others, such as chip ..read more

Congratulations to the WINNERS of the Great Santa Carve Off Contest and thank all of those who shared their festive creativity with us.  The staff of Woodcarving Illustrated would also like to send a BIG THANKS the generous sponsors for their donations of prizes for our five talented winners. 1st Place: Alex Joiner   2nd Place: Walter Imfeld 3rd Place: Dave Deming   4th Place: Lee Simpkins 5th Place: Mary Beth Blair     Editor’s Picks: Bradley Gusloff and Jim Willis      Bradley Gusloff       &n ..read more

How—and why—to attach a project to a carving arm By Laverne “Sid” Sidler Using a carving arm has real advantages. You will reduce the risk of cutting yourself; have both hands free to control the tool, resulting in higher-quality results; be able to position the work to make difficult areas more accessible; and simply be more comfortable while carving. Plus, a person who only has the use of one hand can still carve by using a carving arm. To use the carving arm effectively, you need to know how to attach your blanks to it. The goal is to make the work piece easy to position and to provide the ..read more

The Winter 2023 issue of Woodcarving Illustrated includes a variety of projects, patterns, and features, as well as interesting techniques. This issue is a part of the regular magazine subscription. It is also available from your favorite retailer or from Fox Chapel Publishing, foxchapelpublishing.com or 1-800-457-9112. Scroll down for a sneak peek! Purchase the Issue  Print Magazine Subscription Digital Magazine Subscription In This Issue Features Beginner’s Guide to Finishes There are many different approaches to finishing a carving—where to start ..read more

Turn your breakfast nook into a winter wonderland with these easy-to-make creations By Minisa Robinson These simple snowflake coasters are a perfect beginner project for woodburning on end grain. Birch rounds may be harder than basswood, but they don’t contain a ton of sap like pine, so they are a great middle-of-the-road wood to try. Add paint and coat them with epoxy for a striking, wintry effect. Getting Started Pre-sand the wood blanks. Start with a rougher-grit sandpaper, such as 120, and work your way up to 400- or 600-grit. Note: Be sure to wear a respirator and eye protection while ..read more

Here’s your chance to meet the folks behind Woodcarving Illustrated magazine and get to attend fantastic woodcarving demos, see amazing work by other carvers and more.   We will be at the 31st Annual Woodcarving and Art Show & Sale, hosted by Conawago Carvers Club in East Berlin, PA.  (It’s located halfway between Harrisburg PA and Baltimore MD).  Our editors and staff will be there throughout the weekend.  Come meet us, see some of the actual carvings from the pages of Woodcarving Illustrated and show us your own carvings.  We want to meet you! When: October ..read more