Alright, so let me tell you about this little project I did called “dove totem.” It was kinda cool, and I learned a bunch, so figured I’d share.
It all started when I was messing around with some scrap wood I had lying around. You know how it is, you see something and think, “Hey, I could make something outta that!” This time, it was a bunch of small planks, all different shapes and sizes. I wasn’t sure what exactly, but I knew I wanted to try carving something… totem-like.
First thing I did was grab a dove image from online. Just a simple outline, something easy to follow. I printed it out, sized it up just right, and then taped it onto the thickest plank I had. This would be the main body of the dove.
Then came the fun part – the carving. I started with a small hand saw to get rid of the big chunks of wood around the outline. After that, I switched to some wood chisels and a mallet. I’m no expert, mind you, just hacking away slowly and carefully, trying not to mess things up too badly. It took a good few hours just to get the basic shape of the dove’s body right.
Next, I started thinking about the other pieces of wood. I wanted to make the wings look like they were kinda layered, so I cut out a few smaller pieces, shaped them roughly like wings, and then glued them onto the main body. I used wood glue and a bunch of clamps to hold everything in place while it dried. Messy, but effective.
Once the glue was dry, I went back in with the chisels and sandpaper to refine the shape of the wings. I wanted them to look a bit more organic, less like flat pieces of wood stuck on. So I rounded the edges, added some slight curves, and sanded everything smooth.
Now, the “totem” part. I decided to add some simple geometric shapes to the dove’s body. Nothing too fancy, just some lines and triangles to give it a bit of a tribal vibe. I used a small V-shaped chisel for this, and it was actually pretty satisfying to carve those clean lines.
After all the carving was done, it was time for the finish. I wanted to keep the wood looking natural, so I just used some clear wood oil. I applied a couple of coats, letting it dry in between, and it really brought out the grain of the wood.
Finally, I drilled a small hole in the top of the dove and added a piece of twine so I could hang it up. And there it was, my “dove totem.” Not perfect, by any means, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s hanging in my workshop now, a constant reminder that you can make something cool out of pretty much anything.
Learned a few things along the way:
- Patience is key when carving. Rushing just leads to mistakes.
- Sharp tools are your friends. Dull tools are dangerous and frustrating.
- Wood glue and clamps are essential for any woodworking project.
And that’s the story of the “dove totem.” Hope you found it interesting!
