Discover the absorbing art of green-wood carving with Samuel Alexanders skills, projects and techniquesand his reflections on whittling in a busy world
Whittling is an immersive and peaceful form of woodcarving which rewards calm focus with beautiful objects. Samuel Alexander shows how to responsibly source fresh green wood, introduces the basic techniques for using your knife, and demonstrates how to carve unique objects. But, sharing his own story, he also reveals the other benefit that whittling can bring you: a time of happy focus thats free from pressure and profoundly relaxing.
After covering the basics of how to get started, you can work through a range of step-by-step projects at your own pace. Working with the grain, youll create tactile curves and textures, slowly revealing the character of each piece as you whittle. Samuels projects progress in difficulty to challenge your new skills, and include brushes, simple buttons, household hooks, a toy car, an apple ornament, spoons, vases, and beads. Finally, he shows how to finish the keepsakes youve whittled with oil, and how to maintain your tools. Throughout the book, Samuels thoughtful prose also encourages you to find another state of mind as you whittle, and discover the deep calm which arrives as you focus on small movements and personal creativity.
