Ready-to-Carve(tm) / Ready-to-Burn(tm) 10" Basswood Plate with Printed 3D Illusion Pattern
This design was the first one developed into a Ready-to-Carve preprinted pattern on wood. I was asked to write an article on the design and layout of this pattern, as well as carving and finishing tips, for Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine (Issue 78, Spring 2017). I was was at the Charlotte, NC Woodcarvers Club Show the weekend it was arriving in subscribers mailboxes, so it was natural for many carvers to stop by my booth to say congratulations and chat a while. What wasn't expected was the numerous requests a printed pattern that could be transferred onto a 10" Flat, Plain Edge Basswood Plate. I didn't offer to provide one because of the extreme accuracy that wood be required of the person attempting the tracing. The only way it could have worked would be to use a compass and straightedge to do the "tracing". If one was to do that, he or she might as well skip the printed paper pattern and graphite paper and draw (with compass and straightedge) directly on the plate - which, if you'll recall, is what the magazine article was about! So, after agreeing to sell a plate to a friend and draw the pattern on it for him for a small fee, the spark for the what turned out to be a business based on providing unique designs, printed directly onto plates and boards, was born.
Now, there are fourteen Ready-to-Carve items in the product line and, with Michele Parsons (Parsons Wood Artistry) enthusiasm for the designs and the concept, we're expanding our audience to Pyrographers. That's why the Titles of the products are now Ready-to-Carve(tm) and Ready-to-Burn(tm). If you you try one or more, whether carving or burning, please drop me a note to share your experience.
No matter how you approach it, skipping the layout and moving directly into carving or burning a new design has become a very popular concept. I hope you enjoy this challenging but fun piece.
Please contact me by phone (828-226-6040) or email (bjohnsoncarves@gmail.com) with any questions or suggestions you might have.
