Mustache Mixing Spoons

Some mustache mixing spoons. Perfect for any mustache recipie!

Candlestick Wizards, carved into old textile spools

Here's some of my latest whittlins, a pair of wizards carved into old industrial textile spools.

The spools are hollow, so I carved the wizards in very low relief to prevent breaking through. The candlesticks are finished with a coat of clear shellac.

Beer tap handles for the Olde Brick House brewery

Tap handles should be comfortable, sturdy, and attractive to look at. They should also represent something, be it a specific beer, a brewery, a bar or restaraunt, or a private homebrewer's label. I think I've accomplished those goals with these two custom-made tap handles.

These were made as a Christmas gift. The recipient is a homebrewer, and names his label "Olde Brick House Brewery" after the colonial red brick building he calls home. That set the theme for both taps, and I sketched out some ideas on my notepad.

One handle would be reminescent of brick, with a flat circle on top showing a large hop bud carved in relief.

The second tap handle has a little brick house, carved in the round, and painted red with a green door. Both handles are fixed with a brass ferrule in order to attach them to the tap system.

This was a great project, and one that I'm proud to have completed.

Red Dala horse with champagne bubbles

I really like the traditional Dala horse. This one shows it's "whittle marks," the cuts left by a good sharp blade. The color is red acrylic with blue and white champagne bubbles.

The other kind of carving

Carving wood or carving turkey, which is best? They both require patience and a sharp knife. Wood lasts longer, that's for sure!

Our Thanksgiving turkey comes from a little farm just down the road, and is never frozen. It's tasty, local,and big enough to last a good long time. I'm looking forward to weeks of turkey sandwiches, salads, soup, and more. I've sharpened the knives to a hair-popping edge, and am ready to go.

This year I'm giving thanks to God for so many things. My carvings are in the hands of those who appreciate the work, I have a beautiful and loving fiancé, a wonderful family, and more friends than I deserve or can count.


May those who read this have as much and more to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Linked Hearts are up on Etsy

The linked hearts I posted about a little while back are now available on Etsy. I whittled them from a block of tupelo, then stained one with some "prarie wheat" gel stain. I like the contrast the color gives the piece, and am already planning a new linked hearts project.

Carved links are a classic old-time whittler's trick, and joined hearts are just classic.

A Dala horse, carved in the traditional style

I love the Swedish Dala horse. It's timeless style and durable design make it one of the great toys of the world.

My horses, though inspired by the Dala horse, are usually carved a slightly different way, with softer lines and different proportions. The traitional ones have straight legs, raised ears,and are normally painted in bright, solid colors, with the mane, tail, and saddle painted on.