Santa carvings

[woodburner807]

When I carve things and get addicted to them I can knock out a hundred, and that was the case with these. Rick's post asking about people who don't post got me the kick I needed to get started doing it.

These, as usual, I just gave out to folks. We walk through a small town cemetery every morning and I did a little research on it and the "occupants." Many children's graves go back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many died from measles, TB, and the 1918 kids died from the swine flu.

So the Santas were finished with BLO and I drilled tight-fitting holes in the bottoms for a dowel. I carved a point on the dowels and inserted them into the bottom of the Santas (point down). I placed them on some of the kid's graves in the cemetery and I'll do more this year. Many leftovers.

Here is a sample:

[Scott78]

Hey, those are very nice, and that is a wonderful thing to do. Good Job

[Bob K.]

A very kind-hearted thing to do.

[Soggy]

That's a great idea Bill , wonderful gesture. Thanks for sharing.
Wayne

[joepaulbutler]

Bill, there is no doubt about it∙∙∙∙you're the man

[Rontana]

Great Santas! Now you just need the 96 tiny reindeer to go with them

I recently did one of these, and yup, you're right. They're a heck of a lot of fun

[woodburner807]

Great Santas! Now you just need the 96 tiny reindeer to go with them

I recently did one of these, and yup, you're right. They're a heck of a lot of fun

No tiny reindeer yet, and it is actually a good idea...just maybe in the future.

[Mark N. Akers]

Very nice carvings Bill, you have me wanting to start Santa's.

[brent]

Nice carvings one should do what one likes or loves to do. Just remember, you might want to vary some from time to time to keep down monotony. It can become tedious after doing so many. After I had carved around twenty or so Santas in the exact same style, I began to due more but varied the coat style, hat style, fur style and so on. It made it more interesting.....at least to me it did. After that, I started wanting to try more different ideas and tried to see how many different ways I could do the same pattern or ideas. Kind of like taking a roughout and changing the whole perspective and carving what you want it to be. Just some tips to try and keep from getting bored. FWIW

[woodburner807]

Thanks Brent and these were "holiday" Santas and I made a bunch for "handouts" and whatnot. I find after making several, then they are known them by heart. I did make some variations but the picture is only a sample. You will see the same approach in another picture with "boat captains and wizards," then another picture of varied carvings. Just seems I feel the need to "replicate" in certain carvings... follow my heart. I did some variations with gnomes and "Indians in a blanket." Haven't taken any pictures yet.

[Arthur C.]

Very thoughtful, Bill. These long gone little ones are not forgotten even though their immediate families are no longer here to visit their resting places.

[Claude]

Well done, Bill - very nice surprise for relatives visiting the cemetery.

Claude

[woodburner807]

Well done, Bill - very nice surprise for relatives visiting the cemetery.

Claude

Most don't have any close relatives since they died a long while ago. However, a few decendents apparently visit, since there are some flowers placed around the holidays. Not sure but guess it could be done by people with a like attitude of mine.

There was one recent kid who died stillborn several years ago and he gets a lot of flowers and decorations around the holidays. I placed one there but it was harvested when the visitors cleaned up their artifacts. Anxious to see if they place it back on this year.

All the rest are still there, which I find interesting with people placing flowers and not removing them.

All in all. makes me feel good and always a great start to the day.

[uvawyo]

Wonderful gesture with wonderful carvings!