Butternut Brooches

I have been getting requests to carve more cameo and rose brooches. I added a new style rose, as well as a horse head design. These were carved from wormy butternut. I begin by cutting the blanks out of 5/8" stock with a band saw. Then I clean off the saw marks and shape the brooch with a belt sander. I transfer the design to the wood using graphite paper. I start with a v-tool to outline the design and use a #3 gouge to lower the background. I use various other gouges and veiners to define the carving. I then hand sand each brooch beginning with 150 grit, progressing to 220 grit and finishing with 320 grit. I apply several light coats of Deft lacquer satin allowing each coat to dry. The grain in butternut really pops when you apply a finish. Finally, I attach a pin back with epoxy and sign the back of each piece with a wood burner.

Stick Horse Ornaments

I started a new project today. The first Christmas tree ornaments of the year. I'm getting started late this year, usually start on them right after Easter. These are fairly simple stick horse ornaments carved from butternut.

Horse Bust Final Update

Finally finished my horse bust.I tried a different finish on this carving. I brushed on a liberal amount of polyurethane, and then wiped off all that I could with paper towels. There is enough on there to seal the carving, but not give it a plastic look. He is mounted on a walnut base.

Horse Bust Update #3

Made some progress on the horse bust. After making sure he was carved as smooth as I could get him . I then started  the sanding process. I started profiling with 80 grit. You have to be careful or you can lose a lot of detail in a hurry. Then I changed to 120 grit. I am now using 220 grit. I will finish with 320 grit before applying a finish.

Horse Bust Update

It's starting to look like a horse.

New Year, New Carving

I decided to get out of my comfort zone on the first carving of 2016. I don't carve a lot of animals so this should be a challenge. This horse head project is from a dvd by Ian Norbury. I am using 3" basswood for the carving.