Carving Peace

By Dorissa Bolinski

It’s easy to slip into the “zone” while engaged in an interesting project, when fifteen minutes become two hours and the worries of the day fall away. Like all creative pursuits, woodworking can remove us from our daily selves and transport us to a quiet place where the only thing that matters is the task at hand.

The calming effect of creative work has long been studied in the field of art therapy to help people process negative emotions. Activities like woodworking require one to take time and focus while establishing a meditative rhythm. Working this way can reduce stress and promote an easy concentration. Plus, it’s exhilarating to tap into personal creativity and see an idea form from your own handiwork.

In the past few decades, art therapy has become part of the prescription for medical professionals who work with combat-wounded veterans and those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although most art therapy programs focus on artforms like poetry and painting, woodworking is entering the arena as an option. Activities like whittling a piece of wood or quietly sanding a box lid can help divert the mind from the day’s troubles and ease intrusive thoughts. Although there are no medical studies citing the therapeutic benefits of woodworking, it makes sense that some veterans find it helpful, and in some cases, medical professionals are catching on.

A participant makes progress during a carving class at Imagination Celebration at Colorado Springs, Colo. Photo by Robin Dahman

With a certification in trauma art, Robin headed up the creative media portion of the Center and started the CACTUS program to provide service members and their families a safe place to participate in creative outlets together like woodcarving. She began working with local artisans like the Pikes Peak Whittlers who shared their skills with participants. Robin says woodcarving is a great creative option for patients since it can inspire concentration, skill building, and confidence.

“You can work alone or in a group setting. There’s the ability to practice emotional regulation skills when you get frustrated. There’s a sense of accomplishment when a project is finished…woodcarving was such a natural fit for our program,” she says.

Sanding and Finishing

Sand the cross; I used Abranet sanding mesh in assorted grits up to 320 that I cut into thin strips about 3/16″ (5mm) wide and 3″ (7.6cm) long. Alternatively, you can use sandpaper in assorted grits. Loop the 80-grit sanding mesh strip or sandpaper around the individual braid and sand in a back-and-forth motion along the braid’s length and end loops. Use this sanding technique to smooth out the area where the braids intersect in the middle of the cross. Do not rush this process. Continue sanding through the other grits until you reach 320. After sanding, use a digital caliper to measure the braid. The braid should have a final diameter of about 5/16″ (8mm).

Remove excess dust and dirt from the cross and apply three to four coats of a wax finish such as Howard Feed-N-Wax ® . Then saturate narrow strips of a cloth with the finish and loop it around the braids to apply the wax in narrow areas. Let sit for 20 minutes and wipe off excess finish. Then polish the cross with a clean, soft cloth.

Materials

• Basswood, 3/4″ (1.9cm) thick: 3″ x 4″ (7.6cm x 10.2cm)

• Spray adhesive or glue stick

• Sanding mesh (Abranet) or sandpaper: 80-, 120-, 240-, 320-grits

• Clean, soft cloths

• Finish, such as Howard Feed-N-Wax ®

Tools

• Band saw, coping saw, or scroll saw

• Knives: carving, detail

• #3 gouge: 5/8″ (16mm)

• Micro-gouge: 3/16″ (5mm)

SPECIAL SOURCES:

The Cross Braid pattern and roughout (#1004ZB) are available for sale at Moore Wood and Roughouts, www.roughouts.com.

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Carving

Make a stop cut around the perimeter of the top and bottom sides of the blank using a carving knife. Follow the outside lines on the cross pattern. Then make a stop cut along the side profile centerlines. Start shaping the cross by removing areas marked with “X”s on the side profile with the carving knife or gouges of your choice. Be mindful of the grain direction as your tools could sever the braids or remove too much wood that would severely diminish the symmetrical shape and diameter of the braids. Round the inside and outside of the individual braids with the carving knife and gouges; I used a 3/16″ (5mm) micro gouge from the inside of the four loops to maintain an equal braid diameter. Then use a detail knife to separate the braids where they meet in the middle and on the side profile. Aim for the cross braids to be about 3/8″ (10mm) in width.

Infinity Cross

By Dennis Drazkowski

Design by Pat Moore

While attending a woodcarving show in Wisconsin, I came across Randy and Pat Moore’s vendor table, Moore Wood and Roughouts, and saw their “Cross Braid” pattern roughout. It ended up being the perfect gift to make my granddaughter Amelia for her First Holy Communion. This cross is a great intermediate skill-level project and makes a beautiful keepsake for your friends or family.