woodcarving tips

Wood Carving Tips

New Video on Carving a Classic Shell and Acanthus Design

May 14, 2013 MaryMay Shell and Acanthus Leaf

Last night I added another video to my online woodcarving school. It contains about 2 hours of the process of carving a very classic design of a shell in the center and acanthus leaves scrolling on either side. This particular one will be placed on top of a square mirror as a sort of “crown”. This design is just one [...]

Shell Niches Finished and Delivered

May 13, 2013 MaryMay Shell Niches

I just finished 3 large shell niches and handed them off to the client last Friday. It’s always an odd emotional experience sending off a creation after having it in my shop for so long. These shells are very unique in that instead of just a scroll in the center of the shell, there is [...]

New Maple Leaf Video

April 29, 2013 MaryMay intaglio- maple leaf

I recently added another video to my online carving school. It is a very sweet carving of an incised maple leaf – also referred to as intaglio. This project is great for if you just want a nice design in a flat board – such as a jewelry box. Instead of lowering the whole background [...]

New Grand-Kitty

April 26, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

Have you ever heard of a cat just having 1 kitten? What would you call that? Certainly not a litter. Maybe a lit. Or a little. I was on the road returning from Berea, KY when my husband, Stephen, calls and tells me I’m a grandma! Our little stray cat (we call her squeek) who [...]

Woodcarving Retreat in Berea, KY

April 24, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

Mary May attempting to use a "real" chisel for carving letters.

Ahhh… spring time in Kentucky. The wildflowers blooming, the subtle shades of green as the trees slowly release their new leaves. The pleasant, cool crisp nights, the balmy days. And carving in the midst of that. Is this heaven? Maybe… I am just finishing up 2 great carving classes at Kelley Mehler’s School of Woodworking [...]

How to Finish a Carved Surface

April 2, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

I recently received a question from a SAPFM (Society of American Period Furniture Makers) member, Frank Duff: “Hi Mary, I’ve been carving legs for a Phila High Chest for over a year now and I’m now in the final smoothing stage prior to starting to glue things together. I have not used sandpaper yet! I’ve [...]

Dragon Carving Video on Video School

March 28, 2013 MaryMay Dragon Carving

I recently received a photo of the finished carving of the dragon and acanthus leaf that I carved several months ago. My client, Smokey (ironic for wanting a dragon carved?) wanted to do the finishing and he made a beautiful frame of walnut with bloodwood inlay. The backing for the carving is also bloodwood. He mentioned he [...]

Metal Engraving

March 15, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

My father-in-law, David May, who is simply a true artist in whatever he puts his hand to (tall ship builder, Mardi-Gras walking head creator), has mastered the art of metal engraving. He has worked in steel & brass, and has a natural gift for design. I have seen metal engraving web sites, and if you are [...]

And the tour concludes

March 14, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

A beginning lesson in carving the donut - they get more realistic every time!

Well, the “East Coast Tour” has ended. I have arrived home safely and I am tired! It’s been a really great trip – met amazing people, taught lots of carving, learned lots of things (I always learn a lot when I teach) and ate some incredible meals along the way. Everyone who hosted took great care of [...]

Popular Woodworking Course Goes “Live”

March 10, 2013 MaryMay Wood Carving Tips

The class on carving this classical design is online now through Popular Woodworking: http://www.shopwoodworking.com/classical-carving-with-mary-may The cost is $75, and it is about 2-1/2 hours of video with an introduction video which includes the tool sharpening process, a video on carving the acanthus leaf and also one on carving the shell. You can watch it as [...]

« Previous Posts