If you thought carving a linked chain or a ball-in-cage was a challenge, get ready for some mind-altering woodcarving projects! Learn how to uncover the structure of space by looking inside a piece of wood and carving away anything that doesn't match your vision.

Examines the work of traditional Mexican woodcarvers

Be inspired by this skill-building issue of Woodcarving Illustrated! From a three-step scarecrow pin to an expressive Jack-o’-lantern, this fall issue is teeming with mysterious and magical projects to complement the crisp welcome of fall. With step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, carving patterns, and expert guidance, you’ll carve a spooky Santa, classic rosette chip carving, trick-or-treat caricature, tiny gnome home, witch shelf-sitter, and so much more! Also included in this issue are stunning artist features, simple stretches to stay comfortable while you carve, a detailed product review of the MakerX® rotary tool and airbrush, workshop hacks, reader galleries, bonus patterns and projects, and more!

Inside this issue of Woodcarving Illustrated, you'll find: Features: *Rising from the Ashes *Motivated to Create *The Work of Rob Lucero Projects: *Carving Scenic Stamps *Carving Interlocking Hearts *Tequila Worm Bottle Stopper *Power Carving a Life-Size Whistling Swan *Carving a Cascading Ribbon Heart Pendant *Carving and Painting a Folk Art Rooster *Carving a Caricature Elephant *Creating a Pierced Relief Carving *Chip Carved Crosses *Folding Carving Bench Techniques: *Holding Your Work *Making Custom Colors

Summer has arrived! Get new, skill-building inspiration with this summer issue of Woodcarving Illustrated! From super simple and small gnomes and a five-point whimsey to a stylized whale and a classic rosette relief, this summer issue is filled with tons of playful projects for the season! With step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, carving patterns, and expert guidance, you’ll carve a scuttling crab, a mini detective, realistic magnolia blossoms, a Nordic-inspired flat-plane character, and so much more! Also included in this issue are detailed product reviews, artist spotlights, reader galleries, bonus patterns and projects, and more!

FEATURES John Burke Woodcarver of the Year Popular author and instructor honored for his contributions to woodcarving A Carved Tribute to the Edmund Fitzgerald Patrick Pointer's detailed relief carvings immortalize this famous Great Lakes freighter First Cuts Shawn Cipa and Rick Jensen provide valuable tips for carvers and share their first carvings PROJECTS Making Colorful Leaf Tiles By Cyndi Joslyn Easy relief carvings have a variety of uses Whittling a 5-minute Owl By Jan Oegema Easy beginner project is ideal for teaching and demonstrations Carving a Cherry Leaf Bowl By Brian Bailey Showcase wood's natural beauty with this simple and functional design Making an Elegant Book Stand By Marty Leenhouts Hand carve this ingenious folding stand from a single piece of wood Hand Carve a Majestic Buck By Desiree Hajny Capture the graceful beauty of a whitetail deer in wood Carve a Gift-bearing Santa By Don Dearolf Easy-to-carve holiday icon is a clever way to present a cash gift Carving a Caricature Colt By Floyd Rhadigan Simple stylized horse is easy to carve Carving a Flying Witch By Dave and Michele Stetson Create your own humorous Halloween display Osprey Pattern by Gordon and Marsha Stiller TECHNIQUES Choosing Power Carving Bits By Chuck Solomon and Dave Hamilton Make smart purchases with a basic understanding of the cutters available DEPARTMENTS Editor's Column From Our Mailbag News and Notes Tips and Techniques Reader Gallery Product Review Relief Column Calendar of Events Coming Features Ad Directory & Classifieds Woodchips

Features: *Pat Scott Scores Big Former baseball player carves with Hall-of-Fame right hand *Carvers Unite to Honor Veterans Injured veterans are presented with handcarved eagle canes *Best of Show Impressive projects inspire woodcarvers everywhere Projects: *Great Horned Owl *Carving a Rabbit in Cottonwood Bark *Making Patriotic Pins *Carving a Folk-Art Chickadee *Recipe Chef *Chip Carved Photo Frame *Carve a Tower of Teetering Turtles *Making a Mechanical Bottle Stopper *Roly-Poly Hedgehog *Carving Tree Spirits in Found Wood Techniques: *Dealing with Tree-Killing Insects *Carving Eyes *Using a Contour Gauge *Making Controlled Cuts *Maintaining a Sharp Edge