Freshly carved from a log I found might be elm. Used air di-grinder , (as you can also use router bits with one, has sufficient RMP and correct size shaft. A dremel for fine detail. For fast removal used an oscillator tool. Chisels of course where needed 

 

Last image is on a cedar box I built earlier this year.

 This is my second carving attempt last one already sold. 

Edited October 13, 20241 yr by Mordred

Really nice! I've always wanted to try carving but never got around to it. I'll have to put it on my short list.

Also like the cedar box. Do you have a nail gun you used for parts of that?

Yes I have a couple of Brad nail guns that cedar box is also rabbit  and groove jointed with glue along with the nails.

 

I really like that box. It looks very tight, good joints, and obviously you used good joinery. Sometimes when I'm making outdoor furniture I take short cuts like leaving out the miter joints.  

Thanks it worked out rather well, used premium cedar as it's typically less warped I've had to build a few of them the mats cost 150.00 Canadian so I've sold 2 for 300.00 each. People seem to love them for outdoor storage boxes. The ones I see I usually recommend outdoor timber oil

https://www.rona.ca/en/product/cabot-australian-timber-oil-378-l-neutral-translucent-wood-stain-87005064?viewStore=66190&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19597975671&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&&cm_mmc=paid_search-_-google-_-aw_pmax_generic_Paint-_-&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3624BhBAEiwAkxgTOs2auPSZxKCSuMkYb0MVlVlfdF-bGlxnNFlFRBe9F_XEPshPG80-vRoCQTgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Apologies for advert. Couldn't find a link with just the product.

Edited October 14, 20241 yr by Mordred

Thanks for that link. I've never used timber oil before. I usually use a semi-transparent stain, but I'll look at the timber oil next time. 

My earliest wishing well posted earlier uses it and it's still in good shape. If that's any indication on it UV and water protection. You can get it in spray can form for projects with tons of nooks and crannies. (First wishing well post ) though my outdoor stuff gets the timber oil though different stains.

 

Edited October 14, 20241 yr by Mordred

My only woodworking is basic construction. Stick framing and so on. Built some birdhouses and trellises. But I really want to learn more about some of the more artistic stuff. I can’t draw, but would love to learn how to draw to help me envision stuff to carve, and then learn how to carve too. 
 

one hope I have if I get more time, and motivation, is to start building a wide range of birdhouses for specific species native or migrating to my area. Help people select best birdhouse for their location and trees to help push native plant gardening. 

Save a step. Start drawing on the wood you plan to carve. Then get better at it by starting to carve and draw more as you go.

Frame the process in your mind as a slow meditative way to create wood shavings and sawdust so every cut becomes a success (instead of trying to be immediately Michelangelo and achieve the statue of David or Mona Lisa on attempt #1).