Your complete guide to wand-making magic!
- 20 enchanting projects of wooden wand designs inspired by fiction and fantasy
- Carve, turn, and scroll with five wand projects for each of four woodworking techniques
- Step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and easy-to-use patterns
- Wand lore and the magical properties and personalities of various wood types
- Inspirational gallery of characters from famous fantasy series wielding their magical wands and staffs
- Sketchbook section provides space to work out your own original wand designs
Conjuring up wooden wands might seem like a magical and mysterious process, but Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is here to show you how simple it can be!
In this one-of-a-kind guide to making wands (written for woodworking muggles), you'll learn how to create 20 unique designs that are sure to delight and manage mischief! Hand-carving, power carving, scroll sawing, and woodturning are all covered, making this fantastical project book perfect for beginner to intermediate woodworkers.
Get inspired by the gallery of beloved staff-carrying and wand-wielding characters from famous fantasy series Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, including Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Gandalf, and Saruman. Woven throughout these gallery pages are images of wands you can make in the book that are thematically similar—but distinct from—those iconic wands and staves.
As inspiration strikes, use the included Wand Sketchbook section to design your own original wands! The Wand Sketchbook is a jumping-off point for sketching your design ideas, along with areas to include your original wand's name, wood type, length, core, and special skills.
In the projects section, five wand projects are provided for each of the four woodworking techniques (hand-carve, power carve, scroll saw, and turn), along with helpful step-by-step instructions, clear photography, patterns, and materials and tools lists. Organized by technique, each section starts with a helpful overview of the carving method, plus painting and finishing tips, so you can get familiar with the basics before you begin. The designs include enchanting wands that any witch, wizard, or fantasy-lover can create, making this book perfect for any woodworker who favors one method, but is also interested in trying new ones! A fascinating guide to woods and their inherent magical properties is also featured for additional wizardly knowledge.
A unique project collection that's truly the first of its kind, this information-packed 192-page book is a must-have source of inspiration filled with fascinating wand projects. It belongs in every woodworker's library!
Get started mastering the art of creating your own wands to make beautiful gifts for anyone who possesses a love for fiction, fantasy, and magic, with Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques!
Note: Wands will not be imbued with magic upon creation. Please consult your local wizarding expert to enchant your wands.
"The Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is a whimsical, fun quest into wand making. From carving to turning, you'll find a technique to suit your skill level."
—Logan Wittmer, Editor in Chief, Popular Woodworking magazine
"Raise your wands! Whether you are new to wooden art or have lots of years under your belt, this book is chock-full of fun projects and ideas that will be a hit for young, old, and in between!"
—Sara Barraclough, author of Learn to Carve Gnomes, Trolls, and Mythical Creatures, @theclevercarver
Barry Gross, an expert woodworker and artisan with more than 30 years of experience, specializes in transforming wood and other media such as Corian — the kitchen countertop material — into amazing pieces of art and useful every-day items. A skilled teacher who knows how to start at the beginning, Barry volunteers solutions to his own mistakes with the hope of encouraging beginners to redesign rather than recycle. Barry is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the Bucks County Woodturning Association and the Scroll Saw Association of the World. His art can be seen in various art galleries including Island Earth Gallery, Langman Galleries and Wylands Sae Life Gallery in New York. In addition, he has received commissions from DuPont and for the Alien Stinger display at the New York Aquarium. Barry was commissioned by the "White House" to make pens as gifts to be given to foreign dignitaries and many local and state politicians. Barry Gross is the author of Pen Turner's Workbook, Learn to Turn and a frequent contributor to Scroll Saw Workshop magazine and Woodturning Design Magazine. He lives in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
James Miller started carving at age 11 under the guidance of a supportive Community Education carving group. The members of this group introduced him to the Scandinavian flat-plane style, which sparked his ever-expanding interest in Scandinavian culture as a whole. This interest, and the support of mentors, family, and friends, has led him to become the youngest Vesterheim Gold Medalist woodworker, teach several classes, and demonstrate in numerous small-town events. In 2010, James's work appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated for the first time as part of the Best Carving Design Contest. Several years later, through the encouragement of Harley Refsal, he submitted an article to Woodcarving Illustrated's 5th Whittling edition. Since then, he has written several articles for the magazine, and in 2018, he traveled to Norway to meet with talented craftsmen and learn their techniques. When he's not busy with handcraft, exploring the outdoors, or spending time with his friends, James is at work developing software, where he also happily faces the same challenge he finds in his woodcarving: simplifying and abstracting ideas in unique ways.
