Ok - my first book review and giveaway! And how hip do I feel, getting to give this lovely work to some wanna-be-whittler! I grew up working with wood. Both my grandfathers had workshops (one made ostrich marionettes!) and I was able to take "woodwork" as a school credit when I was 12. So the material is close to my heart and I love the smell of sawdust. But I've never whittled or carved. Enter Tiny Whittling ... it's already so popular, Amazon is about to run out. Enter now to win a copy!
Steve Tomashek is an artist, photographer, and master carver of miniatures. Check out his website, Miniature Menagerie, for animated films of his work. Tiny Whittling is described as a "hip beginner’s guide to one of the world’s most relaxing, inexpensive, and rewarding hobbies." Remember how knitting somehow became cool again a few years ago? Well, I'm predicting that whittling is the next "it" craft.
This beautiful book puts a thoroughly modern spin on a what I've come to think of as a dying (dead?) art. It avoids technical jargon and is really easy to follow. And before you touch wood, you practice a little on soap and root vegetables (soap duck or a carrot rabbit anyone?)
Then, with just a sharp knife, a little practice, and the tiniest block of wood, you really can whittle your own whimsical creature ... in less than an hour. You work
through step-by-step instructions accompanied by great photographs. And Steve holds your hand all the way, providing easy-to-use templates and sources for tools and materials. You'll also learn how to sand, paint, and decorate your tiny carvings.
There's a lot to love in this gallery of creatures. I think the owl is my favorite, followed closely by the rest of the woodland clan. Please note: I was sent a copy of this book by the Independent Publisher's Group for review. My views are my own. Now, here's how to get your hands on a copy.
Giveaway opens 12:01am EST Mon, 3/18 and ends Sat, 3/23 at midnight. WINNER announced Mon 3/25. It's easy to score multiple entries and increase your chances of winning - see below for details... (Open to the citizens of the wolrld, 18 and older.)
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