Wood Carving Ideas

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It can be a little overwhelming starting to carve, mainly because you might not be sure exactly where to start. Truth is, it doesn’t really matter where you start, just as long as you are focusing more on just starting something. And if I’ve learned anything in my time creating wood carving designs, from simple to complex…don’t overthink it and don’t try to be perfect. As Winston Churchill famously said, “Perfection is the Enemy of Progress.”

Here are a collective number of wood carving designs that any level of wood carver, veteran or beginner, can easily accomplish with the right tools. I hope these beginner wood carving ideas help get you started on your journey.

Whistles

Whittle a whistle! Probably one of the most simple wood carving designs to do, although some practice is required to get good at making them. It still offers a project to start where basic cutting styles will be implemented. Check out the different whittling and cutting techniques here in my simple guide: Whittling: An All-Inclusive Guide

 

Literally just pick up a good looking stick and jump into carving your whistle!

Kitchen Utensils are Classic Wood Carving Designs

Many beginners start out with making something they can use afterwards. The ever so popular item being a wooden spoon (you can also do spatulas) which is an awesome idea. You can use it for yourself, sell it, or even use it as a gift (if it looks good enough).

Wood carving spoons has become an art form more than anything and with the amount of modifying features wood carving allows its no wonder why people start with carving spoons.

Find out how to carve a spoon with our >>Top Leading Spoon Carving Guide

Impatient and want to get started on your carved wooden spoon now but don’t know how? Or perhaps looking for a gift idea for your kids to get them off the screen and using their hands?  This beginner kit contains everything including needed, including sharp wood carving hook knife, classic wood whittling knife, thumb safety guards, beginner instructional video and more to create this beautiful curved handle wooden design spoon. Do you recognise the ancient celtic knot and the meaning behind it? 

Isn’t it beautiful for such a simple beginner piece? Which then makes a great thoughtful hand-made gift in it’s own right. A true gift that give again and again. This is life skill that cannot be “unlearned”. Take a look for your self, this kit has had fantastic feedback from customers.

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Beach Bowls 

 

Uses the same principles as carving a spoon except using a larger chunk of wood.

Letter Openers are Simple Wood Carving Ideas

Aesthetically pleasing result while giving you practice for basic whittling cuts. Very simple design (or perhaps a wood burning design?) to create.

Animals 

Here’s one meant for beginners and animals are always a favorite simple wood carving idea. Thinking of giving it a try? See our detailed tutorials on how to make a wooden carved owl.

Simple enough. Not near as many features as the first but it definitely is a starting point! Let’s face it, who doesn’t think a dog is a cool wood carving idea? Perhaps a great wood carving for a family member this Christmas?

Carving animals is great for beginners since you begin detailing identifying features like eyes and various shapes.

Go grab some paint and add color to your new wood carving designs! I can’t tell if the snail on the left is suspicious, envious or admiring, can you?

Ornaments

Start carving gifts for people or decorating your house with little random ornaments after you get familiar with carving animals! This whittled bear ornament would look at home in a mountain retreat gift shop. If bears are your thing, checkout our introduction on how to do bear carvings.

 

You can also carve original ornaments for Christmas time!

Character Figures

Yes, a hand carved Yoda. It goes to show how versatile wood carving designs can be once you have an idea in mind. If you’re big fan, why not carve the whole Star Wars cast? Read on for inspiration….

That’s what expert artist Christopher Bucholz from Etsy has done right here. Checkout his Esty store “Buchworks” for the whole range of crafty sci-fi creatures.

We spotted this one that was previously on sale at TouchOfModern.com. Anyone recognize this dark and powerful figure?

Chess Pieces

Moving back to simple wood carving designs accessible to beginners. Do we have any Chess masterminds in the audience?

Chess pieces are insanely easy to make a far as wood carving designs go. The really cool thing I like is that you can add your own character to them for that personal touch and artistic flair. You’ll need to carve them from small blocks of wood you can purchase on Amazon like these ones from Beavercraft and Walnut Hollow.

 

 

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Chip Carving Designs

Create a detailed pattern onto a basswood board!

Some of these carving designs would look great as wooden wall medallions. The natural progression from this is to move on to more advanced relief carving designs.

This example uses various other techniques utilized in chip carving like straight lines, three point chip, and curved lines.

You can find out more about this technique of carving here in my chip carving design guide:

Chip Carving: The Top Online Handbook

Here’s a more simple idea of what you can do with this model for wood carving designs. I think anyone could give this easy cat chip carving a try, don’t you?

Coasters

This coaster was cut out using whittling tools and the ingrained pattern implemented whittling. A popular combination for a really cool, simple idea for beginners.

Wood Spirits

Carve wood spirits into branches or sticks you find while camping! Of course this takes some careful detail, but with time comes experience.

Gnomies

Carve little gnomes for your front yard or kitchen area.

Spiral Design

You can also begin creating various of your own designs from oddly shaped wood. Spiral wood carving designs are simple enough yet still complex to give you a challenge and rewarding all at the same time!

 

More Info on Wood Carving and Wood Crafting

• What else can I Carve as a Beginner?  These 4 Easy Wood Carving Ideas for Any Experience Level with Video Tutorials are great if you are looking for other useful things to carve out of wood.

 

• Perhaps you are interested in Power Carving using various power tools? These Wood Carving Ideas with Dremel are very popular with our visitors.

 

• What is the easiest wood to carve? In North America, I consistently recommend Basswood. You can find my current review of the Best Wood for Carving with Power or Hand Tools. I will have more recommendations for the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world where my key visitors are based. Check back for the wood information and reviews soon.

 

• What wood is easiest Whittle? Again in North America, I consistently recommend Basswood. As stated above, I will have more recommendations for the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world where my key visitors are based. Check back for the wood information and reviews soon.

 

• The Art of Pyrography, more commonly known as Wood Burning, is often a skill our readers take an interest in as and additional wood crafting hobby.