First Cuts
A carver's journey to becoming a member of the Caricature Carvers of America

2007 Woodcarver of the Year
To see who was honored for their achievements in the carving community!

Pipe Dreams
By Chuck Coker
Creating beautiful faux ivory carvings from PVC pipe

The Wood Sculptures of Darwin Dower
Historic rural life captured in amazing detail

PROJECTS
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
By Gordon and Marsha Stiller

Laughing Bear
By Jim Villars
Simple cuts add texture to this happy fellow

Country Charm Quilt Squares
By Lora S. Irish
Classic fruit motifs are easy to carve

African Elephant
By Desiree Hajny
Woodburning makes it easy to reproduce a leathery texture

English Renaissance Candlesticks
By Frederick Wilbur
Repeating design and traditional elements combine for a striking display

Carving a Traditional Bowl & Spoon
By David Bragg
Functional items showcase the beauty of wood

Colorful Snake Cane
By Ron Darnell
Combine realistic and stylized elements for a striking project

TECHNIQUES
Chip-Carved Letters
By Barry McKenzie
Simple block style is easy to carve

Basic Cuts
By Chris Pye
Master the five basic cuts to increase your carving efficiency

DEPARTMENTS
Editor's Letter
News & Notes
From Our Mailbag
Tips & Techniques
Reader Gallery
New Products
Judge's Critique
Relief Column
Calendar of Events
Coming Features
Advertising Directory & Classifieds
Teacher's Corner

Gordon and Marsha Stiller have been in the pattern business for more than 24 years. To request a free catalog, contact them at 920-685-2938, or visit their website at www.stillerpatterns.com.

Lora Irish is an artist who runs an internet carving studio with her husband at www.carvingpatterns.com. She is a frequent contributor to Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts and Wood Carving Illustrated and the author of Great Book of Dragon Patterns, Great Book of Fairy Patterns, Great Book of Tattoo Designs, Great Book of Woodburning, and Wood Spirits and Green Men. She lives in Mt. Airy, Maryland.

Desiree Hajny is the winner of many national and international awards for her carvings (13 "Best of" shows and 90 first-place honors), has been the featured artist for Sculpture Forum and Wildlife Art News, and is a contributing editor of Wood Carving Illustrated magazine. She lives in Eckert, Colorado.

Frederick Wilbur, of Lovingston, VA, is the author of two books, Carving Classical Styles in Wood and Carving Architectural Details in Wood:The Classical Tradition. For more information, contact Frederick at 434-263-4827 or visit his website, www.frederickwilbur-woodcarver.com.

Chris Pye has been a professional woodcarver for than 25 years and is a member of the Master Carvers Association. His work is done mainly to commission, with clients including HRH the Prince of Wales. It ranges from architectural moldings to figure carving, furniture to lettering, bedheads and fireplaces. He has also written extensively about woodcarving for several magazines.