· A valuable guide to learning how to wood carving whimsical figures and objects in tree bark · Provides a complete step-by-step project for carving a magical tree house · Offers expert advice on bark carving basics, tools, techniques, finishing tips, and other fundamental topics · Includes an inspirational gallery of completed works, including wood spirits, animals, tree houses, and more · Written by award-winning carver Rick Jensen and carver/photographer Jack A. Williams

FEATURES Saluting the Best By Mindy Kinsey Announcing the winners of the 2012 Best Carving Design Contest 2012 Woodcarver of the Year: By Bob Duncan Honoring the flat-plane carving pioneer for keeping a dying art alive Gifts for Carvers A handy guide to popular gifts for the carvers on your list PROJECTS Learn to Carve Low Relief By Chris Pye These progressively harder projects teach basic relief techniques Creating a Layered Relief Carving By Wayne Culley Combine individually carved layers to add depth and dimension to your work Unique Bark Houses in the Round By Rick Jensen New technique combines two pieces of bark to create freestanding carvings Whittling Lovespoons By David Western Quick and easy project makes a meaningful gift for a loved one Quick & Easy Ark Animals By Tom Hindes Use one technique to power-carve an assortment of animals two by two Creating a Tricky Troll By Floyd Rhadigan Crafty caricature hides a sinister surprise Making a Caricature Amish Man By Don Dearolf Learn to carve this iconic figure in 20 steps Quick-Carve Pumpkin House By Tim Jackson and Dennis Cabot Simple steps turn a bark house into a festive jack o’lantern Carving a Caricature Canine By Lori Dickie Use a premade blank and simple cuts to carve this adorable dog TECHNIQUES Carving a Woman’s Eyes By Ian Norbury Learn to carve these difficult but expressive features Using a Carving Arm By Laverne “Sid” Sidler How – and why – to attach a project to a carving arm

Featured in this issue: Summer carving projects for beginners Workshop designs One knife project - carve a folk figure in under two hours Friendship cane -group carving project Turned and carved - an expert gallery Meet Rick Butz - Woodcarver of the Year Bald eagle portrait

TECHNIQUES Making Bamboo Walking Sticks By Lora S. Irish Add a carved topper to a ready-made shaft for an easy personalized stick Carving an Angry Face By Harold Enlow Add emotion to a face by carving key features differently Relief Pyrography By Chip Jones Combine relief carving with woodburning to create a portrait with depth PROJECTS Carving a Cross Necklace By James O. Dodge Ball-in cross and attached chain are carved from a single piece of wood Comical Cowboy Rooster By Jim Feather Colorful shelf-sitter cowboy perches with help from easy-carve joints Whimsical Bark House By Rick Jensen Scale and adapt the design to suit any cottonwood bark blank Dragon Tray Puzzle By Carolea Hower Carved puzzle play set fits into a castle-shaped box Making a Realistic Bluegill Pin By Dave Arndt Use power carving tools and an airbrush to create a realistic fish pin Heartfelt Home Door Topper By Betty Padden Combine easy relief carving an oil painting to make a decorative door topper Carving a Leprechaun Pencil By Randy True Learn to carve caricature faces in 10 simple steps FEATURES Realistic Creativity By Susan Dorsch Artist goes out on a limb carving rusted metal perches for realistic birds Plus: Carving a Realistic Rock by Kenny vermillion Practicing Patience By Toni Fitzgerald For Walt Nichols, the most intricate woodcarving is always worth the wait No Vision Required By Kathleen Ryan Being blind doesn’t keep these woodworkers from building and carving Pro’s Guide to 29 Finishing Supplies By Kevin Southwick Must-have tools for finishing all types of woodworking projects

FEATURES (Bark) Cottage Industry By Bob Duncan Rick Jensen has taught America how to carve cottages from bark Moose Antler Madness By Kathleen Ryan Five antler carvers transform trophies into works of art 2014 Holiday Gift Guide Find the perfect for all the woodworkers on your list (including yourself!) TECHNIQUES Chip-Carved Barrettes By Steve Reed Use Old World or Swiss-style chip carving to beautify barrettes Learn to Paint: Using Thinned Acrylics By Betsy Padden For luminous translucent color, create washes by mixing paint with plain water PROJECTS Cottonwood Bark Santa Claus By Rick Jensen Carve a rustic version of a classic design Folk-Art Angel Ornament By Keoma McCaffrey Pull the strings to watch the angel’s wings flutter “Shorty” the Christmas Elf By Dale Green Cheery elf brings greetings from Santa’s workshop Kitten in a Mitten Ornament By Leah Goddard Practice carving and painting purr-fect fur with this cute critter The Spirit of Christmas By David Moore Use the natural shape of a cypress knee to create a unique Santa decoration Not Your Grandmother’s Holiday Elf By Lundy Cupp Take a walk on the wild side with this power-carved ornament PATTERNS Snazzy Spiral Ornament By Lyle Morgan Spice up your Christmas tree with this large spiral bulb ornament Christmas Chain By Roy Quarve Link the letters together for a wonderful holiday decoration Christmas Reindeer By Betty Padden A simple trick makes it easy to carve a detailed reindeer Angel Tree Topper By Janet Bolyard Complete your tree with this gorgeous Christmas keepsake Cheerful Christmas Ornaments By Susan Hendrix Add a touch of whimsy to your tree with these easy-carve ornaments Old World Santa Puzzle By Carolea Hower Clever puzzle comes complete with custom storage box

Folk Art Fox Here’s a quick and easy project with lots of appeal. Ozark Grin Carving legend Harold Enlow shows you why the mouth, more than any part of the face, enhances the look of a figure. Carving a Realistic Dachshund Mastering these basic techniques will enable you to bring any breed of dog out of the wood. From the Mind of James The imaginative and award-winning works of James Fecteau will fuel your passion for carving. Paint a Scandinavian-Style Troll Master carver Harley Refsal shares his techniques for painting the character you carved from the last issue. Caribou Pattern by Gordon Stiller Introducing a new regular pattern column from Gordon Stiller’s pattern archive of about 2,500 land and sea animals. Extreme Pumpkin Carving This October, showcase your carving skills with something special for Halloween. Product Review Sealing and priming is faster and more effective and blending is purer with the new JansenArt Traditions high quality matte acrylic paint. Celebrating Small Victories Here’s a challenge—try carving in a 2" x 2" cube. You won’t believe these carvers’ work from the Dayton, Ohio, Artistry in Wood competitions. Sassafras Turtle Leo Datzman, a winner in the WCI-Woodcraft® Supply 2003 Wildlife Carving Contest, recalls what he did for his tortoise to finish first in the Amateur—Other Wildlife division. Swiss Woodcarvings Bulldog Bulletin Board Bow-wow wow! Kathy Wise shows how to relief carve this popular dog to watch over your messages and reminders. An Introduction to Carving Miniature—Netsuke Welcome to Susan Wraight’s small, small world of netsuke, part of Japanese traditional dress now highly sought after collector pieces worth $1,000s. Lost in Thought Santa—Pattern Profile Wood Review: Tulipwood Not easy to carve but its rich colors, fine texture and straight grain make it appealing. The Dream Weaver There’s much to learn from professional woodcarver Ian Norbury, whose carvings are in collections all over the world. Ultimate Power Sharpener Put to the test, this sharpening machine has a lot going for it, including easy handling of heavy-duty carving tools while running fast enough to make a sharp, polished cutting edge relatively quick. Regular Columns Publisher’s Letter From Our Mailbag News & Notes Tips & Techniques Relief Column from Lora S. Irish Reader’s Gallery Calendar of Events Advertising Directory Classifieds

Features 2007 Santa Carving Contest Prize-winning entries and highlights from annual contest Pursuing a Passion By Bob Duncan Innovative 3D patterns enable blind artisan to carve in relief Woodcarving Hollywood-Style By Bob Duncan Local artists teach Sissy Spacek to carve for her latest role First Cuts CCA members Harold Enlow, Randy Landen, Gerald Sears, and Joe You share stories and tips on getting started in carving PROJECTS Simple Starter Santa By Kathleen Schuck Beginner Santa makes an ideal weekend project Easy Evergreen Puzzle By Sandy Smith Carved, interlocking pieces create a folk-style ornament Folk Art Santa By Rick Jensen An antique finish gives Santa the look of a treasured heirloom Easy Weekend Nuthatch Pin By George Calef Basic power carving techniques create a fun and functional pin Olde World Santa Ornament By Mark Gargac Pierced cuts add interest to this traditional Santa carving Holiday Memories Santa By Shawn Cipa Carved Santa proudly displays your Holiday photos Carving a Dogwood Leaf By Kenny Vermillion Power carved leaf adds realism and authenticity to your habitat Decorative Floral Sled By Charley Phillips Colorful poinsettias highlight a relief-carved centerpiece Simple Carved Moldings By Chris Pye Repeating designs are perfect accents for frames and furniture Delicate Pierced Ornaments By Barry McKenzie Chip carve through the wood to produce stunning decorations DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Letter From Our Mailbag News & Notes Tips & Techniques Reader Gallery Judge’s Critique Calendar of Events Coming Features Advertising Directory & Classifieds Teacher’s Corner