Discover the Unique Characters Hidden Inside the Strange and Wonderful World of Cypress Knees

Noted carvers and authors Carol Jean Boyd and Jack Williams bring you the ultimate resource for unlocking the whimsical characters and wood spirits from within one of nature's most unique woods: cypress knees.

Cypress "knees" are the little stumps found in swamps of the southeastern United States that protrude from the water in varying shapes, sizes and colors, and have even been known for their excellent carving properties.

Inside Carving Cypress Knees you'll find all the tips and techniques you need for success:

-An introduction of cypress knees, how to find them and how to "create" a knee from a basswood blank

-Guidance on design and composition-plus a full color gallery of completed carvings to give you inspiration

-Detailed step-by-step demonstrations on three projects, including a wood spirit, Santa's face, and an elf or gnome

-8 pages of patterns for you to try-including an area inside the covers with "erasable blanks" for you to practice your designs before carving

-A useful Resource Directory helps you locate cypress knees, and all the tools you'll need

Carole Jean Boyd is an award-winning carver who specializes in carving cypress knees, spirit faces, and human hair. She lives in Millbrook, Alabama.

Jack A. Williams is a commercial photographer working from his studio in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photography was once a hobby for Jack until he discovered he could make a living doing what he enjoyed. He then needed a new hobby, so in 1973 he started woodcarving. His artistic talents have been demonstrated with a third Best of Show in the first National Caricature Carving Competition held at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri; a Best of Show at the Ward Wildfowl Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland; Peoples and Carvers Choice and Best of Wood Sculpture at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; and Best of Division at the International Woodcarvers Congress in Davenport, Iowa. Jack also won first place in the Flex-Cut Tool Internet Carving Competition in 2001. The year 2003 marks Jacks 12th year to coordinate the woodcarving show at Dollywood, which hosts The Great Pumpkin Carving Competition, and to coordinate the National Caricature Carving Competition. In 2003 Jack was elected to become a member of the Caricature Carvers of America and is President and one of the founders of the Tennessee Carvers Guild. Jack now spends a great deal of time photographing carvings at shows and for friends, and his photography appears frequently in many magazines on woodcarving and other subjects. Jack is a co-author of Carving Found Wood with Vic Hood and of The Illustrated Guide to Carving Tree Bark with Rick Jensen, both published by Fox Chapel Publishing Co., Inc.

Carole Jean Boyd's beautiful and informative book is a must for anyone interested in carving whimsical, charming Santas and other unique characters. Well written and illustrated with step by step instructions. I highly recommend "Carving Cypress Knees".

A great book, very complete step by step instructions that guided me to complete my project. It is meant to stand alone and see you all the way through. I look forward to more material in this stile of writing. Highly recommended.