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.

Since the mid-1980s, whimsical, brightly colored wood carvings from the Mexican state of Oaxaca have found their way into gift shops and private homes across the United States and Europe, as Western consumers seek to connect with the authenticity and tradition represented by indigenous folk arts. Ironically, however, the Oaxacan wood carvings are not a traditional folk art. Invented in the mid-twentieth century by non-Indian Mexican artisans for the tourist market, their appeal flows as much from intercultural miscommunication as from their intrinsic artistic merit. In this beautifully illustrated book, Michael Chibnik offers the first in-depth look at the international trade in Oaxacan wood carvings, including their history, production, marketing, and cultural representations. Drawing on interviews he conducted in the carving communities and among wholesalers, retailers, and consumers, he follows the entire production and consumption cycle, from the harvesting of copal wood to the final purchase of the finished piece. Along the way, he describes how and why this "invented tradition" has been promoted as a "Zapotec Indian" craft and explores its similarities with other local crafts with longer histories. He also fully discusses the effects on local communities of participating in the global market, concluding that the trade in Oaxacan wood carvings is an almost paradigmatic case study of globalization.

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

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!

Examines the work of traditional Mexican woodcarvers

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

From a snorkeling gnome and a five-point whimsey to a stylized whale and a classic rosette relief, this summer issue is filled with tons of skill-building projects! 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!

TECHNIQUES Carving and Printing a Christmas Card By Dan Clarke Use traditional woodblock printing to turn your carving into a card Easy Dogs for Beginning Carvers By Mary Duke Guldan Use craft knives to carve these basic versions of man’s best friend Painting Your Carvings By Virginia Kodadek Learn techniques you can apply to any carving Convertible Shaving Horse By Laverne “Sid” Sidler Portable bench changes from shaving horse to carving bench PROJECTS Checking the List By Ellis Olson Use basic relief cuts and simple shaping to carve a folk art Santa Carving a Spiral Bulb Ornament By Lyle Morgan Any carver can make this complex-looking ornament Carving a Sleepy Wolf By Desiree Hajny Carve, burn, and paint to create a realistic wildlife sculpture Folk Art Angel By Gerald Smith Simple carving can be used as an ornament, pin, or pendant Joyful Santa Plaque By Bob Biermann Incised relief design celebrates the joy of the season Whittling Moravian Star Ornaments By Jody Sebring Use one knife and simple geometry to carve stars in various sizes Peaceful Village Wreath By Betty Padden Carve individual pieces and glue them together for a dramatic presentation Old World Father Christmas By Dave Francis Cozy-looking carving carries symbols of Christmas Segmented Snowman Ornament By Sandy Smith Simple joints help this snowman dance Carving a Holly Spoon By Glenn Stewart Simple painting highlights the attractive design Springerle Ornaments By John Niggemeyer Festive designs resemble traditional German Christmas cookies

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 Chris Pye Named WCI Woodcarver of the Year By Bob Duncan British master carver honored for his contributions to art Teaching Kids to Carve By Kathleen Ryan Jim Calder's sweet potato faces make carving easy First Cuts Artists chronicle their journeys from beginner to accomplished carver PROJECTS Creating a Deep-relief Mantel By Jerry Mifflin Power carve individual panels for a full-size mantel Carving a Hillbilly Chess Set By Mitchell Cartledge Stage your own backwoods battle with patterns for a complete chess set Carving in Low Relief By Chris Pye Learn to create the illusion of a 3-D carving in thin wood Quilt Patterns Inspire Chip-carved Coasters By Barry McKenzie Classic geometric designs embellish this useful caddy Quick-carve Halloween Cat By Cyndi Joslyn Colorful pumpkins and whimsical cat make a great beginner’s project TECHNIQUES Carving a New Life for Old Furniture By Dennis Zongker Traditional relief carving adds value to flea market finds Align the Grain for Impressive Carvings By Everett Ellenwood Grain direction strengthens and accents a carving Just Carve Triangles By Jim Calder Jim Calder's simple method makes it easy to share the basics of carving Carving a House Sign By Francis S. Lestingi Learn letter-carving and gilding techniques with a traditional residential plaque Showcasing Your Work By Mary-Ann Jack-Bleach Simple methods to create a professional portfolio DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Letter From Our Mailbag Tips & Techniques Reader Gallery New Products Relief Column Book Review Calendar of Events Coming Features Advertising Directory & Classifieds Teacher’s Corner Woodchips