| Relief-Carved Candle Box |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-109 |
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Even if you've never done wood carving before, with this easy beginner's technique you'll be able to make wood cuts on any design. Lynette Shuepbach of Walnut Hollow® explains how. Materials:
#1702OP Walnut Hollow Candle Box
#4015 Walnut Hollow Straight U-Gouge #9 Sweep
#4002 Walnut Hollow Honing Compound
#61011 Rubber Stampede® Decorative Stamp Ivy
#871 Plaid's Folk Art® Pure Gold Metallic Paint
#458 Plaid's Folk Art Sap Green Acrylic Paint
#7960 Walnut Hollow Flair Finish
Sponge brush
Paper plate or palette paper
Small glass container or bowl
1/2" flat paintbrush
Very fine sandpaper
Plain brown-paper bag
Tack rag or soft cloth
Paper towels or soft cloth
Dark-green candles
Piece of scrap leather
- If necessary, lightly sand wood surface smooth with very fine sandpaper, and wipe off dust with a tack rag or a soft cloth.
- With a sponge brush, apply green paint to the surface of the rubber stamp, making sure there's no excess paint on the stamp.
- Stamp the surface of the wood. Place the stamp straight down on the surface, hold firmly, and remove by lifting straight up. Continue to brush on paint and stamp until the box is covered with the desired design. You may want to fold the stamp over to the connecting side of the box (figure A).
- Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
- Sharpen the U-gouge (a palm-held carving tool) to a razor-sharp edge with honing compound on a piece of leather. Twist the tool over the leather to sharpen all sides of the U shape. A piece of leather comes with the tool (figure B).
- Using the gouge, carve away the unpainted areas of the box around the stamped design. The area will be carved randomly to create a rough-textured background. The straight edges of the stamped areas will be "blurred" slightly by carving some of the stamped design away. With each cut, bring the blade to the surface to end the cut (figure C).
- Paint the inside of the box with metallic gold paint. Let dry (figure D).
- Thin gold metallic paint with water in a glass container or bowl. Put the paint in the bowl first, then add water. That way you won't use an entire bottle of paint if you put too much water in the bowl. Using the sponge applicator, brush this wash (thinned paint) over the entire box, including the stamped areas. Immediately wipe off the wash with paper towels or a soft cloth (figure E).
- Allow the wash to dry thoroughly. Using the 1/2" flat brush, paint over the carved areas on the outside of the box. Paint the entire inside of the box with paint that hasn't been thinned. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. (figure F).
- Using a crumpled brown-paper bag with no printing on it, rub all the surfaces, and wipe off any dust with a tack rag or soft cloth.
- Using Flair Finish and the sponge brush, cover all surfaces of the box. If necessary, smooth with the crumpled brown-paper bag, and seal with another coat of Flair Finish (figure G).
Tips: - Basswood is best for beginners because it's soft and easy to carve.
- Safety is very important. Keep both hands behind the gouge blade so the knife doesn't slip.
- Always use a razor-sharp knife. Dull knives are more dangerous because they're more likely to slip.
- Always carve with the grain of the wood.
- If the wood begins to tear rather than cut, turn it and carve from the other direction.
- Always seal all sides of the wood to prevent moisture gain and loss in the wood surface.
- Clean the stamp and brushes with water immediately after use.
RESOURCES :
Wooden boxes and other unfinished items,carving tools,supplies,sealer.
Walnut Hollow
Website: www.walnuthollow.com
Acryllic and metallic paints
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website: www.plaidonline.com
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