Old time whittler's tricks: Cube in cage w/chain (part 2)

Just a quick update, since I've already posted on this carving. Here it is again, but with some boiled linseed oil hand-rubbed into the wood. As always, linseed oil brings out the character of the basswood. It imparts a warm glow, highlights the grain, and helps to seal the wood.

Old time Whittler's tricks: cube in cage, with a wooden chain

Whittlin' really comes down to patience, experience, and skill, in that order. More than just about anything else, moving parts take special attention. It takes lots of tiny cuts in order to carefully remove certain areas, while preserving the parts you'd like to keep.

Whittling free-moving parts is very satisfying when it goes well, and a little heartbreaking when it does not. Break a link in your chain, and you might just discover a few brand-new curse words.

Carving Resolutions for 2011

I've decided on some carving goals for 2011. This year I'd like to:

-Carve a nativity scene (including at a minimum the Holy Family, a cradle, and one donkey.)
-Make more walking sticks. Maybe even one for myself!
-Teach basic carving to at least two other people.
-Try different carving woods such as tupelo.
-Improve my photography skills. This should help the blog as well as sales on Etsy.
-Carve more moving parts such as rattles, ball-in-cage designs, chains, etc.

Murphy's Rattle

Here's one I'm especially proud of. It was my first ball-in-cage carving, and also my first chain link. Two moving parts!

Step one: blank out a rough shape. I had originally planned for the chain link to look like a capital letter "M."


















Here you can see the spokes beginning to form. The square shape on the left will become the chain link.


















The ball breaks free within the cage. This is the most time-consuming part of the project. It can be tough to move the blade around between those spokes!



















The chain link is now free. I cut the link in the shape of a shamrock (instead of a capital M)w/Murphy's birth date inscribed. Shamrocks are luckier and less pointy.


















All done!. I left it unfinished except for the green shamrock (which I painted) The rest is plain, sanded, basswood. Early reports indicate that Murphy really digs his personalized rattle!