FEATURES

2008 Santa Carving Contest
Prize-winning entries and highlights from this year's contest

Woodcarving that Gets Noticed
By Rex Branson
Team mascots on a large scale promote woodcarving and community pride.

Preserving a Historic Art Form
By Christle A. Johnson
Bob Johnson shares his passion for carving fish decoys with students

Carved Nativities
By Kurt Eberling and Helli Mayr
Exploring the tradition of Krippel Schaun in Tirol, Austria

First Cuts
Gary Batte, Steve Prescott, Joe Schumacher, and Desiree Hajny share their first carvings
PROJECTS

Saw Whet Owl
By Gordon and Marsha Stiller

Chip Carve a Star Tree Topper
By Roger Strautman
Carve through bleached wood to highlight chip cavities

Happy Christmas Gnome
By Ross Oar
Easy beginner character can be carved as Santa's helper or a garden gnome

Whimsical Santa Holds your Christmas Stocking
By Shawn Cipa
Delightful folk-art style carving is a functional addition to your holiday décor

Power Carving a Dove Ornament
By Hugh Parks
Classic symbol of peace makes a beautiful Christmas ornament

Carving in High Relief
By Chris Pye
Produce a dramatic effect by lowering the background and undercutting the subject

Santa Brings Home the Christmas Tree
By Mark Akers
Charming details highlight this action pose

Carving Candy Cane Ornaments
By Hershal Borders
Practice basic carving and painting skills with easy Christmas ornaments
Hershal Borders bonus cane gallery

Carving a Snowman Collector's Plate
By Robert Biermann
Learn the basics of intaglio carving with this cheerful winter relief scene

Carving a Traditional Lovespoon
By David Western
Classic heart design is a great project for novice carvers

Gilding a House Sign
By Francis S. Lestingi
Learn gold-leafing techniques with a handcarved plaque
DEPARTMENTS

Editor's Letter
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News & Notes
Tips & Techniques
Reader Gallery
Product Review
Relief Column
Calendar of Events
Coming Features
Advertising Directory & Classifieds
Teacher's Corner
Woodchips

Bob Duncan is the Technical Editor of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts and Woodcarving Illustrated.

David Western constantly endeavors to expand the artistic boundaries of lovespoon carving. David was born in Cardiff, Wales, and now resides in Victoria, B.C., Canada. A self-taught carver, David graduated from the London College of Furniture with certification in cabinetmaking and advanced furniture design. He also holds a degree in education from the University of British Columbia.

While running a cabinetmaking shop in Victoria, David's casual interest in Welsh lovespoons grew into an overwhelming passion. Carving lovespoons to order is now his livelihood. David also teaches lovespoon carving at Camosun College in Victoria.

David specializes in complicated and delicate Celtic knotwork. He also draws ideas from Art Deco, Northwest Coast First Nations, and Islamic art forms when creating his unique designs. He keeps a foot firmly in tradition though: each of his spoons is handcarved from a single piece of wood. All of David's spoons also demonstrate the deep passion and commitment that separate genuine lovespoons from mere souvenirs.

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.

Shawn Cipa's carving repertoire shows his preference for all things whimsical. His latest book, Carving Fantasy and Legend, Figures in Wood is a showcase for Shawn's artistic talent, his imaginative mind and skilled hands. Shawn's first attempt at carving was a bearded "wood spirit" face which he scrawled into a piece of found driftwood. He continues to carve solely with hand tools in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania.

Shawn Cipa was recognized as "Santa Carver of the Year" after he won Woodcraft's National Santa Carving contest. His work has appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated magazine. He is also the author of Carving Folk Art Figures and Wood Spirits and Green Men. Shawn accepts commissions for his work and can be contacted at www.shawnscarvings.com.

Ross Oar has had many years of experience in woodcarving. In 1984, he and his wife, Barbara, began West Falls Woodcarving, a part-time mail-order woodcarving supplies business run out of their home in Orchard Park, New York. Ross also carves commission pieces that range in size from three inches to five and a half feet high and depict all aspects of life, teaches woodcarving classes on a limited basis and participates in woodcarving shows.

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.