Category Archives: carving

Spring Movement

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Dave Fisher

After the relative stillness of winter, everything seems to be in motion now. The spring rains have encouraged the creek to dance to the white-throated sparrow’s tune. Emerging leaves are being introduced to wind. Even when the air is still, … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, cherry, patterns, sketch, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Leaves of Grass Shrink Book Box

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Dave Fisher

You might recognize this book box from my most recent post. When I started roughing this book form from a green log, I had no final design in mind at all. But that wonderful “blemish” that was revealed on the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, figure, green woodworking, Lettering, shrink box, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Leaf Pattern Shrink Pot

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Dave Fisher

This leaf pattern is a design that I’ve been experimenting with on bits of scrap for a long time, tweaking this and that. This four-sided shrink pot, made from a red maple log, was a good canvas for it, and … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, patterns, shrink box, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Whittling A Julfågel

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Dave Fisher

Four years ago, I wrote about Phil Teeter and his Julfågels (“Christmas Birds”). A couple days ago, I learned that Phil passed away last month. I went out back, cut a little branch junction and whittled a Julfågel. What fun … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, green woodworking, paint, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Four Shrinkpots and Some Tool Thoughts

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I’ve just finished four shrink pots that are available for purchase. They are made from various wood species, which I’ll detail below. All are finished with a mixture of linseed oil and beeswax. The lidded ones all have tight-fitting lids … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, paint, shrink box, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Just Do the Next Thing

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Dave Fisher

I just finished a hen bowl from black walnut. I’ve made a bunch of these hen/chicken/fowl-inspired bowls over the years. No two of them have been quite the same. Every time I start one I have some uncertainty about how … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, carving, layout, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Carving the Hollow: A Trick and Some Video Clips

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Dave Fisher

Sometimes, after you’ve hogged away most of the wood and the hollow is nearing the final shape, your hands and eyes tell you that one end/side of the bowl has a steeper slope than the other. Your hands and eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, carving, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Silver Maple Bowl and My New Old Drawknife

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Dave Fisher

I like this silver maple bowl that I just finished, and I liked making it even more. Part of the reason is that it gave me an opportunity to use a curved (cooper’s hollowing) drawknife that I had picked it … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, figure, holding, tools, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Angel’s Head Gravestone

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Dave Fisher

Anybody that wants to get somewhere quickly doesn’t want to ride with me. One of the annoying things I do is pull the car over every half-hour or so to take a 10 minute stroll. This is difficult to do … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, Lettering, Persons, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

Gouge Thoughts: Sharpening, Sweep, Size

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Fisher

In thirty years of teaching, I’ve learned (and sometimes failed to remember) the value of preparation beforehand and flexibility once things get started. I’ve been doing a lot of preparation for my upcoming class. Materials, logistics, and many other things. … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, patterns, sharpening, teaching, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 14 Comments