bottle topper pt 4

Well here he is the painted bottle topper "night cap", I think this is an appropriate name for this guy don't you? I incorporated the use of my wood burner, which I haven't used in a month of Sundays so a little rusty on it but practice, everything takes practice. I will post better picture later but these will give you the general idea of how it is coming along and of course he still needs his final sealant coating to finish him off.

The only thing I have considered was if I would come back on the flame and cut out some detailing and motion. If I do this i can leave it the natural color of the wood and it would be one more highlight color. I think this might give better definition to the motion of the flame but at this point I am still undecided on whether or not I want to tamper with the carving, as carvers we have to know when to walk away and leave well enough alone.

bottle toppers pt 3

Well the topper is now complete on the carving end so in the next day or two I will begin to paint both bottle toppers. I finished the detailing today on the topper and then hollowed out the base so it could rest on a wine bottle. I have some mesh sand paper and may go over it one time before I do the painting. I read where one person recommended wetting the carving down then doing a sanding once it has dried then doing the painting so might try this to see if there is a noticeable difference in the final version. But for now another stage is done.

as always happy trails and 

Carpe diem carving 

bottle toppers pt 2

Well since my last post I got a bit more carving done and so far am happy with the results. Still need to add some more detail to some areas and need to do some clean up on others but so far I am happy with the way this one is coming out. I will make his hat a night cap painting some yellow moons or some stars and since this is a bottle topper will call the carving "A night cap". Makes me think I need to get out some paper and design a full body carving for this concept, I think I could have fun with this one, putting him in his night gown and posing him where he is trying to balance the candle and trying not to wake up the family all after one two many night caps. I will post the images once they are designed.

and as always happy trails and 

Carpe diem carving 

bottle toppers

Well I haven't posted in a while so thought I would share a carving I am working on. This will be another bottle topper. This will be my third bottle topper and may be my most creative yet. I carved a ornament with the cap of the elf carved out as a candle and I liked this idea so much I thought it would work well on a bottle topper. I know there are people that take an empty wine bottle and put a candle in it and let the wax melt down the bottle. Many do this numerous times using a variety of colors in candles. Not my thing but this made me think that a bottle topper with a candle worked in might be fun.
This elf will be carved as if he is using the candle on his cap to light his way. He is not completed yet but thought I would share the progress so far.

Not sure how I am going to do the tassel from the cap. I can either swirl it around the back and have it come out the other side to the front or just have it go straight down on the same side. I made the candle leaning on the cap to express the idea of it maybe getting ready to fall which is why I have the flame flickering towards the back opposed to being straight up. Hopefully this will help express the motion of the candle.

 The bottle topper next to the one in progress is a completed topper and is waiting to be painted. I am still debating on the paint job as I always like leaving some of the wood bare to show off the grain. His cap does twist around the back coming out the other side.

happy trails and as always

Carpe diem carving

etsy shop

Wow the product is just rolling in, we are up to 4 carvings listed now and more in the stock room. I don't know how this will go but luckily I have low expectations so am not worried about being disappointed. Seriously not sure this is the height of the season but that's o.k., nothing ventured nothing gained. Stop by and see the shop, feedback is always welcome...........

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cartoons2Carvings

and as always, happy trails and

Carpe diem carving