Whether a block of wood or a block of clay (polymer clay is a good choice) is the preferred medium, holiday projects – from simple ornament whimsies to larger figures – will make a carver's fingers long to carve. It would be next to impossible not to want to give these projects a try. Buy the magazine at a newsstand for $9.99 (that's less than 35 cents a project) or receive it as a free gift for a 2 year subscription to Woodcarving Illustrated.
Each project is accompanied by full color pictures from multiple sides, a materials and tools list, directions for finishing, and a picture and information about the artist that created the project and wrote the directions. Some of the projects are better suited to wood than clay, such as the rustic picture frame and the elegant chip carved candle plate.
Making Polymer Clay Ornaments
Some of the ornaments are simple reliefs. To create the reliefs, a block of polymer clay can be substituted for the wood. Use a wood colored clay that can be painted the same as the wooden versions. Just remember that it's a good idea to stick with water based paints and coatings. Some oil applied to polymer clay won't dry properly and can become a sticky mess. If you want to use oil, test it first.
Fully 3D ornaments can be carved and baked in two steps. Carve and bake the first side as a relief. After it has completely cooled, complete the other side and bake with the first side resting in polyester batting to prevent shiny flat spots.
Making Large 3D Polymer Clay Projects
Either wire or aluminum foil armatures should be used as a basis for the larger 3D projects, such as the Cottonwood Bark Angel or the Celestial Santa. Armatures add strength to large polymer clay work and are less expensive than using all clay.
For the poinsettia egg project, polymer clay can be applied to a real or wooden egg that is painted first. That large duck egg that has been sitting around for years waiting to be used might be a good project for me to start with.
Handcarved Holiday Gifts: Vol. 2 is a treasure trove of Christmas projects that can be used and enjoyed for years to come. Buy it for yourself or your favorite carver or clay artist. Just make sure to mark your favorite(s). The worst part of this magazine is deciding which project to make first. Happy holiday carving!
Corinne Shibley - Corinne Shibley studied sculpture in art history and created her own sculpture on the way to a B.A. in Studio Art. "There's something ...
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