Chip carving is a decorative form of carving that adds beautiful, intriguing designs to an item.  Small chips are removed from the surface of the wood to create shadows. Using this technique, an item that is very plain will be transformed into an ornamental keepsake. This course will provide a project that adds skills as the project proceeds. We will start with the basics: safety, materials, knives and how to hold them, sharpening, wood types, wood grain, sanding and applying the pattern to the project. We will go on to learn four basic chips in chip carving:  triangle, 4-sided chip, line and a 2-sided crescent, and how to use a stab knife. As the project proceeds, additional topics will include how to carve back-to-back chips, undercutting, fixing a chip out, and how to finish a project. This course requires some hand strength. Youth ages 16-17 may attend if accompanied by a full-paying adult. The youth student will receive a 25% intergenerational discount; call to register.

Required Tools

• Chip carving knife (the instructor will have them available to purchase $15-$38)
• Ruler
• Hi-Polymer eraser
• 12” T-square (available at the North House Folk School store)
• New soft toothbrush
• Mechanical pencil
• Carving glove - Must be a carving glove, not a leather or cloth glove (available at the North House Folk School store)

Optional Tools

• Container to put supplies/tools in
• Cheater/Magnifying glasses
• Lap Board - approximately 12”x12” and approximately ½-¾” thick (some students have used wooden cutting boards)