Santa Clara Valley Carvers

Sharing the art of woodcarving with the community

The logo of the California Carvers Guild (CCG)
A comprehensive montage celebrating the art and community of woodcarving. The collage captures the full journey of the craft: from raw logs and sharp tools like strops and knives to finished masterpieces including miniature bears, elegant spoons, pencil-shaped name badges, and intricate wooden chains. It highlights the social side of the hobby through photos of students in a workshop, an artisan at his workbench, and local woodworking shops. Bridging art and location, the image also features the Oakhurst welcome sign and carved flag, reflecting the shared passion and regional heritage of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers. The images are featured in the June 2026 SCVC woodcarving newsletter.

Woodcarving Newsletter, June 2026

Established in 1967, the Santa Clara Valley Carvers (SCVC) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the art of woodcarving. We’re a chapter of the California Carvers Guild, a 501(c)(3) entity. Our club runs by volunteers. Our mission is to learn and share our passion for woodcarving with others. We publish our woodcarving newsletter every two months.

A large, vibrant bouquet of spring flowers sits on a light-colored table. The arrangement features numerous Alstroemeria (Peruvian lilies) in shades of bright yellow, magenta, pink, and white with yellow-striped throats. A tall stalk of peach and pink gladiolus extends from the left side of the bouquet, while delicate sprays of tiny white baby's breath fan out on the right.

We meet weekly in the South Bay Area. Everyone 11 years old or older is welcome to join us. No prior carving experience is required to participate. We learn together, mentor beginners, and have fun.

2026 Chapter Leaders and Links. Click to expand.

2026 Chapter Leaders:

President: Roman Chernikov
Vice President: Jim Phipps
Secretary: Dan Brady
Treasurer and membership: Gary Paulson
SCVC Advisor: Dave Osterlund
CCG Advisor: Roman Chernikov
Newsletter Editor: group effort

Chapter Links:

Visit our website: https://SantaClaraValleyCarvers.org
Contact us by email: contact@santaclaravalleycarvers.org
Please contribute to our woodcarving newsletter by sending your content to editors@santaclaravalleycarvers.org before the 25th of the month before publication on the 1st of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

The woodcarving newsletter is also available as a PDF file:
scvc-newsletter-2026-06.pdf

President’s Message

We demonstrated woodcarving at Scout-O-Rama last month, one of the West’s premier scouting events organized by the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America. It was a fantastic experience to share the art of woodcarving with scouts and community members. Check out this article about our participation.

We will also be teaching local scouts in September to help them earn their Woodcarving Merit Badge. Registration for the scouting workshop is now open! Please note that space is limited to 10 participants, so be sure to sign up early!

Circular embroidered patch with a yellow border. The center features a stylized bird figure resembling a wood carving in blue and red against a teal background. This is the Woodcarving Merit Badge from Scouting America. Scouts earn this badge after mastering knife safety and carving techniques.

Sadly, the Saratoga Blossom Festival, planned for June 13, was abruptly canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. It was always our favorite summer event, and we hope it will resume next year.

The heart-whittling, chain-carving, and leather-strop-making workshops held earlier this year were both educational and well attended. Coming up, we will be carving Halloween ghosts and winter ornaments throughout the summer. We are currently seeking ideas for new group projects for the fall and winter seasons; please feel free to submit your suggestions.

A grid of 25 square wooden relief-carving plaques arranged like a quilt, each representing a different chapter of the California Carvers Guild (CCG). The carved tiles depict the chapter logos and feature unique designs ranging from simple text and carved symbols (such as carving tools, grapes, or animals) to more complex carved and painted/burned scenes.

I am continuing to lead the improvement efforts for the California Carvers Guild (CCG) website. Our primary goal is to train a team of volunteers in WordPress, and I’m pleased to report that several members are picking up the system quickly. We are currently focusing on updating the details for all carving clubs across California. I will keep you updated as we move forward.

Speaking of woodcarving clubs in the state, I want to highlight the CCG Chapter Quilt, a collaborative project featuring contributions from clubs across the state. The “quilt” is made up of 1x6x6-inch tiles, each uniquely carved by a different chapter. The Tri-Valley Carvers currently host it, and it will be on display at the Tri-Valley Carvers Show in Pleasanton, CA, on September 12-13, 2026. I encourage you to visit the show and see this impressive quilt in person.

A close-up of a smooth wooden board featuring a finely chip-carved rosette; a gouge blade rests diagonally across the design. The image symbolizes a practical carving tip for the “Tips & Tricks” section of the woodcarving newsletter.
A collection of useful tools arranged on a teal background: a wooden-handled awl at the top, a black magnifying glass in the center, and a brass keychain flashlight below.

Carving tip: Expand your toolbox with these three little tools: an awl, a magnifying glass, and a small flashlight. They will not take up much space, and you may find them quite handy in many cases: inspecting small details, picking out splinters, finding a dropped item in a dark parking lot, etc.

Happy carving,
Roman Chernikov, President of Santa Clara Valley Carvers

Upcoming Events

June 13, 2026: CANCELED: Saratoga Blossom Festival. Read about our participation in 2025.

The Santa Clara Valley Carvers club set up a few tables on the patio at Saratoga Blossom Festival. The view shows the patio and the area around it.

June – August 2026: We will make winter ornaments for our December holiday gift exchange. It will include carving Santas, snowmen, and other ornaments.

Five wooden icicle hand-carved by members of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers: Roman Chernikov, David Clarke, and Dan Brady.

August 6 & 10, 2026: Group project to carve ghost ornaments for Halloween during regular meeting hours. If you have a nice design in mind, please let us know!

A few Halloween-themed woodcarving projects: carved pumpkins in hats and a ghost holding a pumpkin.

August 21-22, 2026: Woodcarving at Santa Clara County Fair. Our club will demonstrate woodcarving between 2 pm and 6 pm on Friday and Saturday.

A 2026 logo of the Santa Clara County Fair.

September 12-13, 2026: Tri-Valley Carvers Annual Woodcarving Show is the biggest annual woodcarving show in Northern California. Find us there.

A collage of three items: Tri-Valley Carvers Carousel, a carved "Welcome to our Home!" sign, and the logo of Tri-Valley Carvers.

September 12, 2026: Woodcarving at Cars in the Park. The event is the largest annual antique & classic auto show in the West. Held at the History Park, San Jose.

Street Scene Gas Station at the History Park, San Jose.

September 19-20, 2026: The 46th annual Woodcarvers show in Cambria, CA. The show is organized by Central Coast Woodcarvers, CCG Chapter 7.

A logo of Central Coast Woodcarvers and shelves of woodcarving projects at the club's woodcarving show in 2025.

Find a full list of scheduled events and workshops online:https://santaclaravalleycarvers.org/calendar/

Follow Us on Social Media

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Our Recent Activities and Publications

Check out our newly published articles online:

Woodcarving at Scout-O-Rama San Jose, May 2026

We demonstrated woodcarving at Scout-O-Rama San Jose on May 9, 2026. This recap highlights the creativity shared among the Bay Area scouting community at History Park in San Jose, CA.

This composite image features a close-up of an event patch on the left and a wide shot of the event grounds on the right, including our woodcarving booth.
A large group of Scouts and adults in tan uniforms is gathered on a street at History Park in San Jose during the Scout-O-Rama event on May 9, 2026. A crowd of young and older scouts stands in formation, watching the organizers deliver a speech from the balcony of the historic Pacific Hotel building. In the background, colorful flags are visible alongside a tall metal electric light tower under a clear blue sky.
Members of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers club pose for a group photo behind their display table at the 2026 Scout-O-Rama San Jose event at History Park. Under a white canopy tent, six men (wearing a mix of Scouting uniforms, vests with merit badges, and casual clothing) stand and sit behind a table covered with handcrafted wooden items, including totem poles, animal figurines, toys, and carving tools. A wooden sign on the left of the table reads "Santa Clara Valley Carvers," and a blue award ribbon rests on the tablecloth. The background shows a large tree trunk and a white building at History Park.
Two dancers in traditional Mexican attire perform outdoors at the Scout-O-Rama San Jose event. A man in a sombrero and charro suit dances beside a woman who is twirling, causing her bright blue dress with multi-colored rainbow ruffles to flare out wide. Spectators sit on chairs in the background watching the performance.

Chain Carving Workshop, A Day of Links, March, 2026

We hosted a workshop focused on chain carving. Under the guidance of David Osterlund, our members carved wooden chains, and beginners learned how to use a drill and a scroll saw.

A carved chain with a ball in a cage on one side by David Osterlund, a member of Santa Clara Valley Carvers.

Read our article about the workshop that includes photos, a lesson on persistence, and a carving tip.

BAWA Woodworking Show at Woodcraft, May 2026

Explore photos of handcrafted furniture, toys, and turnings at the 2026 BAWA Woodworking Show, organized by the Bay Area Woodworkers Association (BAWA) at Woodcraft in San Carlos.

A composite image showing the logo for the Bay Area Woodworkers Association on the left and a display of wooden furniture on the right. The furniture is arranged in a row on a white cloth runner. In the foreground, a large, light-colored wooden table features a blue ribbon. Next to it is a smaller, dark wood side table. Behind that stands a tall, dark wood cabinet with carved details and brass handles. Further back is a long, light wood bench, and a wooden chest is visible at the far end.
This image captures a display of woodworking projects arranged for a show, set on white protective cloths covering the floor and tables. On the left side, a light-colored wooden side table with curved legs and a lower shelf sits in the foreground, positioned in front of a dark wood chest of drawers with brass hardware. On the right, a long table draped in white cloth showcases smaller projects, including a turned wooden bowl, a box made of reddish figured wood, and a dark wooden box featuring carved detailing. Behind this table, arranged on the floor, is a collection of small wooden stands and stools in varying wood tones, ranging from natural light finishes to dark stains.
A light-colored wooden Art Deco-style table, made of oak and walnut, featuring contrasting dark wood elements. The rectangular tabletop has three parallel dark stripes running lengthwise near the edge. The table stands on sturdy, tapered legs with sculpted, curved cutouts near the apron and vertical dark wood accents. A lower shelf or stretcher made of darker wood connects the legs. The table is displayed on a white cloth with a blue award ribbon, an identification card labeled "Dave Stone" resting on top.
A rectangular wooden lidded box made of highly figured Amboyna burl displayed at the BAWA woodworking show in 2026. The wood features a rich, reddish-brown hue with complex swirling grain and small "eyes" throughout. There are patches of lighter, pale yellow wood on the top surface and a small wooden latch centered on the front edge of the lid.

SCVC Woodcarving Library Update: 340+ books

Use this link to see the 11 new books added to our club’s library. Borrowing a book is easy: browse or search the online catalog, click the Reserve button, and pick up your title at the next meeting.

Dozens of woodcarving, woodworking, and woodturning books were donated to the Santa Clara Valley Carvers.

Woodcarving with The Little Free Library

Our club has begun donating extra copies of our woodcarving books to local Little Free Libraries. We’ve tucked a flyer inside each book so interested readers can find out more about woodcarving in the area. In these little photos below, you may see a copy of “The Little Book of Whittling” in the Little Free Library at Maker Nexus, Sunnyvale, CA.

A teal wooden Little Free Library box stands outside the glass entrance of the Maker Nexus building, identifiable by the "OPEN" sign and badge reader instructions on the window, and a circular logo with letters “MN”. The library features a glass-fronted cabinet with two shelves stocked with books; prominently displayed on the top shelf, facing forward, is "The Little Book of Whittling," alongside other craft books. The bottom shelf holds books, including one titled "Pyrography Basics." A flyer for a "Creative Collective Club for Kids 2026" event is taped to the glass door.
A copy of "The Little Book of Whittling" by Chris Lubkemann leans against a row of assorted paperback books on a teal shelf inside a Little Free Library. The book's cover features an image of a pocket knife, a carved whistle, and a few curly wood shavings. To the sides, the spines of several other novels and a stack of CDs are visible.

SCVC Woodcarving Club Flyer

A stack of promotional flyers for "Wood Carving" by the Santa Clara Valley Carvers rests on a table. The woodcarving flyer features photos of carved wooden animals, such as a duck and a fish, along with meeting schedules for Los Gatos and San Jose. Clipped to the top right of the paper stack is a wooden clothespin carved in the shape of an alligator and a bright pink wooden heart engraved with the club's name and website.

When we demonstrate woodcarving at public events, we always have a stack of woodcarving flyers at our table. The flyers highlight our work and provide details for people interested in woodcarving, including our website link and meeting details.

If you are interested, you may learn more about our flyers here. You may also help us by printing and distributing them to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

Woodcarving Workshops

Making Leather Strops for Carving Knives Workshop, May 2026

In May, we hosted a DIY leather strop-making workshop led by Roman Chernikov, who guided members through the process of making and decorating their own strops. Special thanks go to Dan Brady for donating the leather and to the SCVC club for providing the quarter-sawn blanks. Roman shared three chip carving patterns specifically for decorating strops, which you can download on his website, READ N TRY.

Three woodworking tools are carefully arranged on a light wooden surface. At the top is a leather strop showing its textured brown side and light-colored wooden handle, while in the center sits a chip-carving knife with a dark reddish-brown wooden handle and a sharp metal blade. Beneath the knife lies another leather strop made of basswood, intricately decorated with geometric interlocking triangles across its face and a starburst pattern on its handle. The chip carving patterns for making and decorating DIY leather strops are shared for free download at READ N TRY: https://readntry.com/diy-strop-for-carving-knives/
Two light-colored wooden carving projects shaped as leather strops lie horizontally on a gray-speckled surface. Both pieces feature intricate shallow-relief carvings of braided patterns running across their centers. The top piece features a continuous braid that begins with a large looped "C" at the left end. The bottom piece features a similar woven design starting with a diamond-shaped Celtic knot motif on the left. Each block tapers into a rounded handle on the right side, with a small hole drilled for hanging.
DIY leather strops with Celtic knots carved by David Osterlund
Three leather strops, each carved with a unique chip carving design by Roman Chernikov. Ruler measurement marks are etched into the side of the DIY strops to expand their functionality. Roman designed those chip carving patterns and shared them for free download on his website, READ N TRY: https://readNtry.com
Chip carved DIY leather strops by Roman Chernikov

Explore our past and upcoming woodcarving workshops on our website.

Woodcarving Display Case: Unexpected Update

We used to display our woodcarving projects in a glass display case in the lobby of our carving place in Los Gatos, CA. Unfortunately, one of the visitors accidentally dropped a water bottle on the table, shattering the glass.

Luckily, no injuries occurred, and no damage was done to the carvings on display. To avoid future risks, we are exploring an alternative way to display our woodcarvings at the facility.

Woodcarving display case at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos, CA. It has a glass top with various woodcarving projects inside.
A light-colored wooden corner shelving unit, which appears to be an early prototype made of plywood with visible screws, sits on a table displaying several hand-carved wooden figures. On the upper shelf, there is a painted figure resembling a gnome alongside a smaller standing human figure. The bottom surface of the case features three unpainted carvings: two small penguins flanking a taller, slender human figure in the center.

Huge thanks to Dan Brady, our club secretary, for handling the opportunity to increase our display space and for building the early shelving prototype.

Stay tuned for future updates as we fine-tune the design of our new display case. Our non-profit is run entirely by volunteers, and if you want to help us cover material costs, please use the Donate button. We appreciate your support!

Also, you may see photos of our previous display arrangements: Woodcarving Display 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Woodcarvings Spotted by Nitin Varshney

The “Welcome Bear,” featuring a removable greeting plate, was spotted at the KOA Campground office in Visalia, CA, where it was originally placed to greet arriving campers.

A rustic wooden carving of a bear holding a wooden sign that reads "WELCOME" in deeply carved letters. The bear has a black bead for an eye, charred detailing around its snout and mouth, and wears a necklace made of twine and small wooden beads. In the background, there is a display rack of folded T-shirts on the left and a yellow poster board featuring photos of smiling children on the right, suggesting this carving serves as a welcome figure at a camp.
Two side-by-side photographs of hand-carved wooden figures. On the left, a rustic light-wood carving of an animal with large buck teeth and a plaid hat holds a "WELCOME" sign, with a bottle of honey and small American flags at its base. On the right, a painted black bear stands upright on a tiled floor, clutching a yellow fish against a speckled stone column.

Another find is a 4-foot bear with a fish located at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park. The lodge is a stunning stone-and-cedar retreat nestled among giant sequoias and Sierra peaks, a must-visit for the views alone.

Visit us on Thursday evenings

Visit us at the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America.

Drop in on Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm at:
1900 The Alameda #100,
San Jose, CA 95126

We welcome anyone age 11 or older. We always set aside time to mentor beginners, to present a carving topic, or to demo a new carving technique. Our membership fee is only $6 per year.

Ten woodcarvers are carving their projects at our Thursday meetings in Scouting America, San Jose, CA. The photo was taken for the SCVC woodcarving newsletter.

Visit us on Monday mornings

We carve together at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos. Room 206, 2nd floor.

Drop in on Mondays from 10 am to 2 pm at:
208 E Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Age requirement: 55+ years old. Membership of the Adult Recreation Center costs $45 per year.

A wide shot captures a gathering of about ten adults seated around tables in a community room, participating in a woodcarving workshop for the Santa Clara Valley Carvers. The participants are surrounded by carving tools, blocks of wood, and shavings. In the foreground on the right, a woman in a white shirt smiles, holding up a carved wooden piece, while sitting next to a bearded man wearing a cap who is working on a driftwood project. On the left, women in beige and purple shirts are seated at a table cluttered with supplies. Along the back wall near the wooden cabinets, several other members are seated, looking towards the camera. The photo was taken for the SCVC woodcarving newsletter.

Membership

Membership: The SCVC membership cost is $6 per year. However, an additional annual fee of $45 is required for those 55 and older who wish to attend the Monday meetings at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos. The center membership allows you to use the facility and enjoy all its classes.

California Carving Guild annual dues are $25. CCG membership is optional, but recommended as CCG supports our club and carvers in California.

If you want to be involved in our woodcarving community, even if you are remote, you can join our club online by filling in the “New Membership Application” and paying the dues online.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Members!

Bill Peekema

Bill Peekema smiles while seated at a table, carving a small block of wood held securely in his gloved left hand. He wears a plaid shirt, glasses, and a cap. On the table in front of him sit a small carved wooden pumpkin and other unfinished wooden pieces.

Bill has known about our carving club for a while; he actually visited one of our woodcarving shows over ten years ago! He’s finally made it official and joined us. He’s already picked up some tools and is tackling his first project: a basswood pumpkin. Welcome aboard, Bill!

Larry Wade

A graphic header titled "Introduction to Carving Series" by Larry Wade. The top features a wood-grain banner with red text reading the title. Below are three thumbnail images illustrating different carving projects: hands using a rotary power tool on a small piece of wood, a relief carving of a flower within a circular frame, and a smooth, stylized wooden sculpture resembling an otter.

We’ve got a new member joining us from across the border! Please welcome Larry, an experienced carver who enjoys teaching beginners how to master different carving styles. Although he’s moved from the Bay Area to the Oregon Carvers Guild, he’s staying connected by joining our club remotely. Thanks for being part of the community, Larry!

Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous, April 2026

A large, handcrafted wooden sign reading "Welcome to Oakhurst" stands in the foreground on the left, featuring detailed carvings and paintings of a brown bear, evergreen trees, and rocky cliffs. Behind the sign is a scenic panorama of rolling, forest-covered mountains stretching toward a distant peak beneath a blue sky dotted with wispy clouds. The sign is located near Yosemite National Park in Oakhurst, California.

The Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous is undoubtedly California’s largest annual woodcarving event. Organized by the Central Sierra Woodcarvers with support from the California Carvers Guild and numerous sponsors, this week-long gathering showcased incredible talent. The event featured many woodcarving classes and opportunities to connect with local and visiting carvers from out of state. Here are a few highlights:

Kelly Hall carved a large flag in just a few days! Having done this a few times before, he carved the flag remarkably fast. Join the Central Sierra Woodcarvers Facebook group to see more of his work.

A man, Kelly Hall, with a white goatee and glasses, wearing an orange baseball cap and a dark green T-shirt with "Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous" printed on it, smiles as he demonstrates woodcarving techniques. He is seated at a table covered in sawdust, holding a rotary carving tool over a carved wooden American flag that features red and natural-wood stripes and a blue field with gold stars.
Kelly Hall is carving a flag
A large wooden relief carving of an American flag resting on a workbench covered in sawdust. The artwork features a wavy, undulating surface texture designed to make the flag look like it is waving in the wind. The stripes alternate between natural light-colored wood and a deep reddish-brown stain, while the blue canton is stained a deep shade, with stars carved out of the lighter natural wood. A rotary carving tool is visible at the top edge of the frame near the carving.

Vickie Hopson taught chip carving at the Rendezvous, sharing her lifetime of expertise with both beginners and experienced carvers. Her class was so popular that participants lined up to watch her demonstrations. The precision and consistency of her finished items amazed everyone.

A smiling older woman with long white hair and glasses, Vickie Hopson, sits at a table covered with a floral cloth, holding up two chip-carving projects. In her right hand, she holds a flat, a wooden platter with an intricate geometric spiral pattern carved into the light-colored wood (basswood). In her left hand, she holds a small, wooden egg with a textured cross-hatch pattern. Woodcarving tools and basswood blocks are visible on the table beside her.
Vickie Hopson taught chip carving at Oakhurst, 2026
A close-up view of several chip carving projects resting on a tablecloth with a red apple pattern. The collection, carved by Vickie Hopson, features a large, textured wooden egg and multiple rectangular blocks intricately carved with geometric patterns of triangles and pyramids. In the foreground, a block shows pencil markings with arrows and letters outlining a starburst design, illustrating the layout stage of the carving process, while the pieces behind it display completed, textured surfaces. The items were on display at the Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous in April 2026.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t feature all the notable carvers in this newsletter, but we plan to highlight more of their work in future issues!

What’s on the Workbench?

A smiling woman, Ashraf, is displaying two large wooden utensils she has carved. In her bare right hand, she holds up a wooden fork attached to a circular base carved with two large berries. In her left hand, which is protected by a grey cut-resistant glove, she holds a matching wooden spoon attached to a circular base featuring a star shape. Woodcarving tools and wood shavings are scattered on the table in front of her.

Ashraf Amirabi

Ashraf is carving a unique utensil set from basswood: a spoon, fork, and knife. In the photo, you can see she has completed the spoon and fork, both featuring large round ornaments on their handles. Her goal was to make items that are functional but also decorative.

A man and a woman, Bill Peekma and Terry Davis, sit side-by-side at a table displaying their woodcarving projects for the Santa Clara Valley Carvers club. On the left, Bill, wearing a blue plaid shirt and a cap, smiles while holding a carving knife and a wooden bird figure. To his right, Terry, dressed in a white shirt, holds up a small standing wooden figure and points at it with a gloved finger. The table is scattered with wood shavings and holds an orange toolbox and blocks of wood.

Bill Peekema & Terry Davis

Bill joined us last month and is mastering his carving knife quite fast. He is working on a driftwood piece, and we are eager to see the result soon. Terry is working on a caricature of an elephant with large ears, aiming for a tall, emotional expression. The work is still in its early stages, but moving fast; we look forward to seeing the results soon!

Connie Wilson, a woman with glasses, smiles while holding two small carved wooden houses. She is seated at a workbench covered with woodworking tools, including black gloves on a green cutting mat, carving gouges in a plastic tray, and other unfinished wood blocks.

Connie Wilson

Connie is expanding her fairy-themed carvings! After creating dozens of cute fairy doors earlier this year, she has moved on to carving entire houses from basswood. She’s currently refining her designs and has two early versions underway as she works out the best approach for these miniature homes.

Dan Brady smiles while holding a woodcarving project of two interlocking wooden hearts with text carved and burned into them. He is wearing a white T-shirt with glasses hanging from the neckline and sits at a table where the handle of a carving tool is visible near his hand. The background features yellow walls and wooden cabinetry at a woodcarving meeting at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos, CA.

Dan Brady

Dan, our club secretary, carved two intertwined hearts from a single piece of wood into a Mobius shape as a gift for a family member. He also crafted a large oak box for his grandchild, decorated with woodburning.

A close-up, high-angle shot of a light-brown wooden sculpture featuring two interlocking heart-shaped bands woven into a complex knot. The smooth wood grain is visible, and black pyrography (wood burning) has been used to inscribe names and dates onto the surface.
A light oak wooden box with visible finger joinery on the corners sits on a table near a window. The lid features burned-in lettering and imagery: the name "TOMMY BRADY" at the top, a large eagle emblem holding a shield in the center, and the date "JANUARY 19, 2026" at the bottom.
Oak box by Dan Brady
At a gathering of the Santa Clara Valley Carvers woodcarving club, two members are seated at a white table. On the left, Dana, a man with gray hair and glasses wearing an olive-green T-shirt, looks toward the camera while sewing patches onto a tan jacket. On the right, Debbie, a woman with long hair streaked with blue and wearing a magenta shirt, smiles as she holds up a small wooden chain carved from basswood; she wears a protective glove on her left hand to hold the wood and grips a carving knife in her right. In front of them sits a clear plastic organizer box and another carving knife. The background wall is decorated with large yellow stars, photographs, and wooden blocks bearing words such as "FRIENDLY," "KIND," and "COURTEOUS," near a Scouting sign.

Dana Chick and Debbie Mize

Two creative passions in one meeting! Dana is busy enhancing a jacket with custom pockets and patches, while Debbie puts the finishing touches on her basswood wooden chain.

We love seeing everyone chatting while focused on their projects, whether sewing or carving!

David Clarke sits at a workbench wearing a navy blue T-shirt and glasses. He holds a woodcarving tool in his right hand. On the table before him sit three small, unfinished wooden dog figurines lined up in a row. Behind him are tall light-wood cabinets with metal latches at a woodcarving meeting at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos, CA.

David Clarke

David has completed carving six bears and is currently carving dogs, with plans for even more. Repetition helped him refine the shapes; practice truly makes perfect! If you want to give it a go, there are plenty of bear-carving tutorials available on YouTube.

Six hand-carved wooden bear figurines by David Clarke stand in a row on a table. The bears are carved from light-colored wood (basswood), all standing upright with simple, blocky features like rounded ears and distinct snouts.
Carved bears by David Clarke
Three rough-hewn wooden sculptures of sitting dogs arranged in a row on a speckled grey surface. The carvings are made from light-colored wood (basswood) and feature distinct knife marks and sharp facets, indicating they are stylized whittled pieces.
Carved dogs by David Clarke
An older man with white hair, a mustache, and glasses sits smiling in a workshop, holding up a long, intricately carved wooden chain. He wears a brown leather apron over a green shirt; the apron features a patch for the "Santa Clara Valley Carvers" and a name tag reading "DAVE." The wooden chain he holds extends horizontally across his chest, ending in a small wooden cube on the right side that encases a ball. On the table in front of him are several other woodcarving projects, including additional chains, puzzle boxes with balls inside, and chisels. Wooden cabinets and a coffee maker are visible in the background at a woodcarving meeting at the Adult Recreation Center in Los Gatos, CA.

David Osterlund

David carved a long chain ending in a ball-in-a-cage for the chain-carving workshop he led earlier this year. He also recently finished an 8-inch-tall gnome with a bulbous hat; this design is forgiving since the ears and eyes are concealed, leaving most of the face covered by hair and beard. Find the gnome pattern by Miroslaw Czeladka in the Spring 2022 #98 issue of Woodcarving Illustrated magazine.

David also used patterns from Viking Designs by A.G. Smith to add shallow-relief Celtic knots to his leather strops during last month’s DIY workshop.

A split image displaying two angles of a small woodcarved gnome figurine created by David Osterlund. The figure features a large, bulbous hat with a rough, mottled brown texture, a long beard carved from light-colored wood with visible grain lines, and a green tunic with dark brown boots. The left panel shows the front-left side of the gnome, while the right panel shows the back-right side.
Two light-colored wooden carving projects shaped as leather strops lie horizontally on a gray-speckled surface. Both pieces feature intricate shallow-relief carvings of braided patterns running across their centers. The top piece features a continuous braid that begins with a large looped "C" at the left end. The bottom piece features a similar woven design starting with a diamond-shaped Celtic knot motif on the left. Each block tapers into a rounded handle on the right side, with a small hole drilled for hanging.
A smiling woman with glasses and dark hair pulled back sits at a white table, actively working on a woodcarving project. She wears a purple zip-up hoodie over a white t-shirt and has a grey protective cut-resistant glove on her left hand to hold the light-colored wooden piece steady. In her right hand, she holds a carving knife, carving a wooden chain. Behind her, an American flag, a California state flag, and a blue flag for Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America stand in a meeting room setting with folding tables and chairs visible in the background.

Dee

Dee joined us last year and often carves with the group on Thursdays. She is currently working on a wooden chain using a blank she picked up at our chain carving workshop in March.

Gary Paulson

Gary Paulson, a member of the SCVC woodcarving club, sits at a table smiling, holding a long, intricately carved wooden r. stock across his lap; he wears glasses and a brown t-shirt, while the light-colored wood features detailed relief carving along the side panel.

Gary, our club treasurer, has been working on some stunning maple stock featuring checkering and silver wire inlay. In the photos below, you can see how he combines these two techniques, including a shot of him using pliers to hammer in small silver nails precisely. To the right, he’s created an elegant free-style floral design using silver ribbon. It’s impressive to see the level of patience and precision required for such intricate work!

A close-up view of a light-colored wooden item featuring intricate diamond checkering. The pattern is accented by tiny, regular silver inlays placed at intervals within the diamonds. Along the bottom edge, a dark metal bar with screws is visible against a blue perforated background.
Close-up view of a wooden surface featuring an intricate checkering pattern. The wood has been carved into a grid of raised diamonds, each containing a small, precise silver dot in its center. A pair of fine-point metal pliers is visible at the top left, holding a small silver nail to be hammered into a delicate carving. At the very bottom edge, a curved piece of dark metal hardware is partially visible.
Checkering by Gary Paulson
A close-up view of a light-colored wooden surface with intricate silver wire inlay. The central design features two large spirals connected by a rectangular band detailed with small dots, surrounded by delicate, swirling vine-like tendrils and scrolls. A geometric zig-zag pattern runs along the curved left edge, while a metal bracket is visible attached to the bottom edge of the wood.
Silver wire inlay by Gary Paulson

Jonathan Jackel

After completing two comfort birds, Jonathan decided to challenge himself by carving penguins, which require significantly more detail. He also participated in our leather-strop-making workshop and is currently decorating his DIY strop with a shallow-relief Celtic knot.

A smiling man (Jonathan Jackel) with gray hair and glasses sits at a work table covered in wood shavings. He wears a blue plaid shirt over a green T-shirt and has a thick protective glove on his left hand. He is making a leather strop by carving an intricate, braided pattern on a long, rectangular piece of light-colored wood (basswood). On the table in front of him stand two small, whittled penguin figurines. To his left are several carving tools with light handles and a sketch, while to his right sits a wooden box with woodcarving gouges.
Two smooth, hand-carved wooden "comfort birds" created by Jonathan Jackel rest on a plain grey surface. The bird in the background is crafted from medium-brown wood with swirling grain patterns that suggest wings and tail feathers. In the foreground, a larger bird is carved from pale, light-colored wood with distinct straight horizontal grain lines running along its body. Both stylized figures are rounded and lack detailed facial features, facing toward the left.

Nitin Varshney

Nitin carved a pin and a magnet for a family member. Using a name badge generator from READ N TRY, he customized the messages on these pencil-shaped, simple yet much-appreciated pieces.

A smiling man wearing a black beanie, glasses, and a grey T-shirt sits at a table covered with pieces of light-colored wood (basswood). He holds a small chip-carving knife in his right hand and raises his left hand to show off a grey protective glove. Behind him stand three flags: the United States flag, the California state flag, and a blue organizational flag of Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America.
Two hand-carved orange wooden pencils lying on a white textured cloth. The top pencil is short with the name "RIA" painted in black. The longer bottom pencil features the engraved message "RIA STAY SHARP & WRITE ON." Both feature realistic details including sharpened black tips, silver ferrules, and pink erasers. The pattern for the carvings was created by the pencil-shaped name badge generated at READ N TRY website, https://readntry.com/woodcarving-pattern-generator-pencil-name-badge/
Carved pencils by Nitin Varshney

Pranay Agrawal

Pranay Agrawal smiles broadly while seated at a table covered in wood shavings during a woodcarving session for the Santa Clara Valley Carvers. Wearing a yellow shirt and a small leather apron, he holds up a curved carving tool (hook knife) in his right hand and a roughed-out wooden spoon handle in his gloved left hand. The foreground features two carved wooden bowls and a spatula, while a canvas tote bag packed with various chisels and gouges sits to the right.

Pranay enjoys carving bowls and spoons for his family’s kitchen use, challenging himself with harder woods like apricot and walnut. He notes that finding sound, freshly cut wood in our urban forest (free of termite holes or cracks) is a real challenge. He also carved a shrink pot from a small section of a log, plugging one end so the drying wood would wrap around it and seal the bottom.

Two hand-carved wooden vessels by Pranay Agrawal are displayed side by side on a neutral, light gray background. On the left is an elongated, canoe-shaped bowl crafted from light honey-colored wood with distinct swirling grain patterns and small dark knots. To its right sits a deeper, rounder bowl with handles and a flat rim; it features a contrasting dark brown textured interior. The image is featured in the SCVC woodcarving newsletter.
A wooden shrink box standing upright next to a large wooden spoon lying horizontally on a white surface. The cylindrical box showcases rich wood grain and features decorative twisting lines carved near its base. The spoon has the phrase "HELP YOURSELF" carved into its flat handle, highlighting the craftsmanship of the woodworking project.

Roman Chernikov

A smiling man, identified by his pencil-shaped nametag as Roman, stands in the foreground holding a woodcarving knife and a small wooden block featuring a chip-carved ornament. He wears a grey button-down shirt adorned with pins. The background shows a busy community hall during the Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous in 2026, with participants seated at white tables, working on various projects near a stage with green curtains.

Roman visited Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous in April and took the chip carving class taught by Vickie Hopson. He learned how to chip carve layered chips and use them to decorate the corners of a square block.

Also, Roman has developed a helpful tool for fellow carvers: a woodcarving pattern generator specifically for pencil-shaped name badges and signs. This app allows us to create customized patterns tailored to the length of any name.

While a screenshot of the tool is provided below, the full generator is available for free on his website, READ N TRY. Roman recommends making them at least 4 inches long.

A collection of hand-carved basswood name badges shaped like pencils, each featuring a tapered point and a flat eraser end. The badges display various text in different colors, including "BASSWOOD" in red and "SAN JOSE" in blue, while one is painted yellow with the name "ROMAN" and colorful ends. All were whittled from single pieces of wood using only one carving knife.
A screenshot of a web-based woodcarving pattern generator. The interface includes text input fields and dropdown menus for font style, size, and letter spacing, along with checkboxes for "Bold" and "Outline." Below these options is a preview area showing a line drawing of a pencil-shaped name badge template with the word "CARVER" centered inside it. At the bottom are buttons to download the pattern as a PNG image or share the design via a link. Find the woodcarving pattern generator on Roman's website, READ N TRY, https://readntry.com/woodcarving-pattern-generator-pencil-name-badge/

Amazon Affiliate Program

A collage of recommended woodcarving items suitable for beginner and expert woodcarvers. It includes carving knives, strops, sharpening stones, and cut-resistant gloves. The image depicts a shopping list for essential woodcarving items.

Our club joined the Amazon Affiliate Program, so we can recommend woodcarving tools and supplies and receive a modest commission on purchases made through our links. Check out our curated list of recommended woodcarving items here: SCVC Woodcarving Shopping List.

Jordan Makower’s Linoleum Block Prints

In this woodcarving newsletter section, Jordan shares photos of his latest linoleum block prints. These scenes are based on Jordan’s memory. Review sketches, linoleum blocks, and final prints.

Family Radio Time

Monochromatic linoleum block print by Jordan Makower titled "Family Radio Time." The image depicts a memory-based scene of a family gathering indoors. Several figures, including adults and children, are seated in a relaxed semicircle on the floor and in chairs within a room with vertical wall paneling or bamboo siding. In the background, a large radio with vertical slats is visible. In the foreground, two curled shapes, likely dogs or cats, rest on the floor near the seated figures. The artist's signature "MAK `26" is carved into the bottom-right corner, indicating it was carved in 2026.

This linoleum print celebrates “Family Radio Time” and features a classic 1935 Philco radio. This 4×5” piece reflects on the golden age of broadcasting, when families gathered to listen to adventure stories and comedies. Beyond the carving, Jordan has even restored an actual Philco radio to working condition, a project that comes with its own mystery!

This print is part of a series by Jordan that captures joyful memories through linocut impressions.

A sketch on a linoleum block by Jordan Makower titled "Family Radio Time." The image depicts a memory-based scene of a family gathering indoors. Several figures, including adults and children, are seated in a relaxed semicircle on the floor and in chairs within a room.
A partially carved linoleum block by Jordan Makower titled "Family Radio Time." The image depicts a memory-based scene of a family gathering indoors. Several figures, including adults and children, are seated in a relaxed semicircle on the floor and in chairs within a room.
A carved linoleum block by Jordan Makower titled "Family Radio Time." The image depicts a memory-based scene of a family gathering indoors. Several figures, including adults and children, are seated in a relaxed semicircle on the floor and in chairs within a room.

Summer

The warmth and relaxation of summer inspired this new 3×4” linoleum block. It captures a peaceful, pleasant summer scene of reading a good book and listening to favorite music.

A sketch on a linoleum block by Jordan Makower depicting a summer scene based on memory. The image shows a figure relaxing in a folding lawn chair near the edge of a body of water, with a picnic basket resting on the ground nearby. In the background, calm waters stretch toward distant mountains where a small sailboat is visible.
A carved linoleum block by Jordan Makower depicting a summer scene based on memory. The image shows a figure relaxing in a folding lawn chair near the edge of a body of water, with a picnic basket resting on the ground nearby. In the background, calm waters stretch toward distant mountains where a small sailboat is visible.
A sepia-toned linoleum block print by Jordan Makower depicting a summer scene based on memory. The image shows a figure relaxing in a folding lawn chair at the edge of a body of water, with a picnic basket resting nearby on the ground. In the background, calm waters stretch toward distant mountains where a small sailboat is visible. Large, stylized tree branches frame the right side of the composition, and tall grass lines the bottom foreground. The print primarily uses brown ink, with small accents of blue on the figure's sleeve and the basket handle. The artist's signature "MAK `26" is visible in the bottom right corner, indicating it was carved and printed in 2026.

First car: 1948 Plymouth Deluxe

A high-contrast black-and-white linoleum block print depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the left. A figure leans casually against the hood of the car, looking upward with one hand near their head. The vehicle features prominent rounded fenders, large headlights, and horizontal grille slats, with a license plate reading "5115" visible on the front bumper. The image has a grainy texture characteristic of relief printing and is signed "MAK '26" in the bottom right corner. It was printed in 2026.

Jordan’s latest linoleum print features a black 1948 Plymouth Deluxe, a car that holds many memories from cheap gas and fabric seats to a snowy journey to the University of Massachusetts. In this 4×5” piece, Jordan used strategic carving to create reflections on the car’s shiny metal surface. The accompanying photos show all stages of the linoleum block print process: the sketch, outline, carved block, and the final print, highlighting the transition from raw linoleum to finished impression.

A sketch on a linoleum block depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the right. A figure leans casually against the hood of the car, looking upward with one hand near their head. The vehicle features prominent rounded fenders, large headlights, and horizontal grille slats, with a license plate reading "5115" visible on the front bumper.
A partially carved linoleum block depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the right. A figure leans casually against the hood of the car, looking upward with one hand near their head. The vehicle features prominent rounded fenders, large headlights, and horizontal grille slats, with a license plate reading "5115" visible on the front bumper.
A partially carved linoleum block depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the right. A figure leans casually against the hood of the car, looking upward with one hand near their head. The vehicle features prominent rounded fenders, large headlights, and horizontal grille slats, with a license plate reading "5115" visible on the front bumper.
A carved linoleum block depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the right. A figure leans casually against the hood of the car, looking upward with one hand near their head. The vehicle features prominent rounded fenders, large headlights, and horizontal grille slats, with a license plate reading "5115" visible on the front bumper.
An inked linoleum block depicting a vintage sedan, identified by the filename as a Plymouth Deluxe, angled toward the right.
Inked block

Review more of Jordan’s work at his gallery.

A collage of photos for the gallery: Jordan Makower and his block-printing projects. The photo also includes a scrimshaw with boats in the sea.

The End Grain of our Woodcarving Newsletter

We hope you enjoyed this edition of our woodcarving newsletter. If you liked it, please spread the word and share the link with other carvers. Also, you can subscribe here and even join our club as a remote member to support us.

We recommend the carving tools on our curated shopping list. If you donated to help rebuild our recently damaged display case, we are grateful for your support!

Happy carving! What do you think? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

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