Materials and Care

My carvings are created using basswood (linden) and butternut.  These woods are widely used for carving because they take detail beautifully, can be carved in any direction, and take paint and stain well.  The color of basswood ranges from a creamy white to a pinkish brown.  Butternut is similar in color, however, it has more grain. 

Basswood trees are found in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  They are found in Canada, from New England to the Dakotas, and as far south as Texas and Florida.

In addition to its desirability for carving, basswood has been widely used for the construction of boxes and crates, broom handles, drawer sides in furniture, picture frames, toys, artificial limbs, yardsticks, and toothpicks.

The use of basswood and butternut allows the precise designs of Celtic knotwork to be carved into the surface by hand, using a carving knife and gouges.

After the pieces are carved, they are stained and waxed by hand to bring out the intricate design work.

Care

Do not use any household cleaner or spray polish on the finish.  For routine dusting or to enhance the finish, buff with a clean, dry, soft cloth or a soft brush.  Avoid any contact with water.

Because wood is a product of nature there may be variation in the way the wood responds to the stain.  Wood from different parts of the same tree will accept the stain differently.  Carvings from two different trees of the same species may vary in color, lighter or darker.

Materials