Carving Comfort Animals

Steven Kulp was introduced to woodcarving by his uncle, Norris White, in 1983, and has been carving on and off ever since. Recently, he started competing in local and national carving competitions and has won a few ribbons. Steven lives in Souderton, Pa., with his wife, Elda, and son, Mike, and is a member of the Delaware Valley Wood Carvers. See more of his work on Facebook at S.G. Kulp Carving.

An experienced woodworker, Frank Foust has built projects ranging from children’s furniture to his own home. As a volunteer, he’s helped repair and rebuild churches in the United States and Central America. Frank sells handcarved comfort birds for $10 each. Please contact him via e-mail for orders or information at mrcarver@windstream.net.

Tom Mellott of Colorado Springs, Colo., remembers carving a hippo from Ivory soap as a Cub Scout in the late 1940s. He also carved neckerchief slides as a Boy Scout. After retiring from a career in engineering, Tom studied and worked part-time as a cooper (barrel maker) at a colonial village for 12 years. A past member of the Bloody Thumbs Carving Club in Roaring Springs, Pa., he’s currently a member of the Pikes Peak Whittlers and the First Lutheran Carving Club.