Carving Santas from Around the World: 15 Quick and Easy Projects to Make and Give [Paperback]

Cyndi Joslyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

This handbook guides beginners and those who want to expand their repertoire through 15 Santa carvings based on prototypes from around the globe. Two step-by-step projects with close-up photography and detailed captions lead carvers through choosing tools and material, patterns, transferring designs, executing basic cuts, carving, and painting full-bodied Santas. Easy-to-follow patterns accompanied by photographs with views from different angles can be used to create an additional 13 Santas. Historical notes on the origins of the Santas and an overview of wood, tools, and safety are included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cyndi Joslyn is a professional woodcarver who leads workshops in Santa carving. She lives in Missoula, Montana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565231872
• ISBN-13: 978-1565231870
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best approach to Santa carving I have ever seen!, August 25, 2004

By 

woodcarver (Hyattsville, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carving Santas from Around the World: 15 Quick and Easy Projects to Make and Give (Paperback)

I have been carving Santas for some time now and have seen most books on the subject. I am really impressed with the unique technique employed in the book. This is great for beginners because it lays out a methodical approach to carving. Best of all, you don't need a bandsaw to make a cutout....just a block of wood and a few basic carving knives. This book is excellent because it uses plenty of photographs to teach--you could learn just by looking at the pictures. I enjoy this book because it made me realize how rewarding it is to start with a block of wood and a knife and end up with a great carving rather than cut out a rough shape with the bandsaw and then carve. This is the book to buy if you want to learn to carve or learn a more efficient carving method. Pay no attention to the few who rate it low. I can't fathom how they can rate it low......they need to realize that this is an art and it takes patience and focus to learn. They must have been carving with the wrong end of the knife.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for beginning and intermediate Santa carvers., January 8, 2004

By 

K. Perry "Nearly Native Texan" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carving Santas from Around the World: 15 Quick and Easy Projects to Make and Give (Paperback)

This is an excellent book and I am thoroughly enjoying each of the projects. Usually carving books don't give good painting details, but this one does. Also, most of the books I have used in the past tend to have all the projects look much the same. I'm amazed at the individuality of each of the 15 projects.

One thing that is unique in this carving book is how the patterns are drawn. You need to see the patterns like a draftsman design. But I found this perspective very helpful in developing the carvings.

For those who are absolute beginners in Santa carving, I'd suggest the Santa Carving book by Ron Ransom.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Carving Santas from Around the World: 15 Quick and Easy Projects to Make and Give (Paperback)

I am a beginner carver and I think this is an excellent book, very informative compared to other books I have. Its very detailed and I'm having great results. To the person who said not to buy it: You must not be able to carve soap. Aspen, Co.