How I attach pinbacks to my carved pins...

Since I've started making pins, I've been using 5 minute epoxy buttered on the back of the pinback and I apply that to the back of the pin. I cut a gouge to allow the epoxy to make direct contact to the wood. No pressure, no clamps. Just make sure the epoxy oozes through the holes on the pinback. Then I let it sit overnight.

I've had pins break but never had the pin come off the wood yet.

Summer 2013 Starfish

A 2" tall by 4" Starfish pin carved for my wife, Michelle, from basswood and painted in acrylic paints and sprayed with Krylon Gloss Finish.

Some woodcarvings I've done since January:

A 3 5/8" tall by 1 1/2" wide celtic spoon carved for my wife, Michelle, from pine and coated with semi-gloss Minwax Polyacrylic.

A 2 7/8" tall by 2 7/8" wide heart shaped chip carving pin carved for my wife, Michelle, from basswood and coated with semi-gloss Minwax Polyacrylic.

A 3 1/2" tall by 2 1/4" wide egg shaped chip carving pin carved for a customer's request from basswood and coated with satin Minwax Polyacrylic.

An 3 inch diameter earth day face pin carved for my wife, Michelle, from basswood and painted in acrylic paints and coated with semi-gloss Minwax Polyacrylic.

A 3 inch tall by 2 1/2 wide by 1 1/2 " deep sitting Whittlebear carved for my wife, Michelle, from pine and highlighted with acrylic paints and coated with semi-gloss Minwax Polyacrylic.

A 3 inch tall by 2 1/2" wide Liberty Bell pin carved for my wife, Michelle, from basswood and painted in acrylic paints and sprayed with Krylon Matte Finish.

A 3 1/2" tall by 1 1/4" German Nutcracker pin carved for my wife, Michelle, from basswood and painted in acrylic paints and sprayed with Krylon Matte Finish.

Summary of 2012 Carvings

It's been a while since I posted to my blog. So, I thought I'd start with a summary of some of the carvings I did during 2012.

The shamrock pin is a 1/2" deep x 1 3/4" wide x 2 3/4"tall deep relief carved in basswood painted and highlights dry brushed with acrylic paints and sprayed with clear hi-gloss lacquer.

The St. Bridget's cross pin is 2 1/2" square carved in basswood, and brushed with clear Minwax Wipe-on Poly satin and Johnson's paste wax.

The American Spirit pin is about 3 3/4" tall and 1" wide carved in basswood painted with acrylic paints and sprayed with Krylon matte finish.

The Happy Spirit ornament is about 3 3/4" tall and 1 1/4" wide carved in cedar and brushed with clear Minwax Wipe-on Poly satin and Johnson's paste wax.

The Easter Egg pin is 3 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/4 inches wide carved in basswood and finished with 2 coats of satin finish polyurethane.

The Dala horses are 5 inches square carved in pine and painted by my wife, Michelle, with acrylic paints, and finished with satin finish polyurethane

Holiday Spirits!

Here is a photo of Holiday Spirits I carved for the WCI ornament exchange.

Patriotic Sunflower

A belated Happy 4th of July everyone!

Here's a pic of a Patriotic Sunflower pin I carved for my wife, Michelle. She loves sunflowers and celebrating holidays--especially Patriotic ones.

The sunflower is about 3 inches in diameter, carved in basswood and painted with red white and blue acrylic paints. The stars are handpainted with a 5/0 brush.

Just as an afterthought, I was browsing through photos, and I saw this one. It immediately reminded me of something you'd see leading up to the grand finale of fireworks. How cool would that be if Grucci or one of their competitors actually came up with an exploding Patriotic Sunflower--red, white and blue and stars and all!
 

Hope you enjoyed the pics and the holiday!

Chipped Carved Quilt Square for Charity

As a member of Fox Chapel Publishing's message board, Woodcarving Illustrated, I carved a 4" x 4" square chipped carved star. It will be joined into one of several Charity Quilts to be auctioned off to benefit Japan relief.

My quilt square is carved in basswood. It is a half inch thick with a 1/4" raised chip carved star containing stars. I left it natural and finished it with several coats of high gloss lacquer.

Here's a link to the Charity Quilt to Benefit Japan Relief web page:
http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/features/charity-quilt-to-benefit-japan-relief.html