Home Chip Carving Signs Mantels Relief Custom
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Wood carving is quickly becoming a lost art. Lost art? Well at least that is what people are telling me. Although many cultures continue to produce wood sculpture there are not very many local artists that can step up to the challenge of a wood carving project.
Thank you for including Bright Star Wood Works in your search for excellence. We will strive to fulfill all your specifications in each hand crafted piece we undertake to produce for your particular needs.
Here are some things to consider when putting together a project for Bright Star Wood Works...
Wood Types: What will fit your particular needs and match your décor?
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Cherry: close grain hardwood, color of immature cherries |
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Aspen: close grain hardwood, color white to yellow |
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Basswood: close grain softwood, color white to tan |
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Maple: close grain hardwood, color white to yellow |
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Red Oak: open grain hardwood, reddish brown |
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White Oak: open grain hardwood, yellowish brown |
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Boston Pine: close grain hardwood, color of gold to brown |
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Black Walnut: close grain hardwood, color of dark chocolate almost purple |
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Redwood: course grain softwood, almost copper in color |
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Poplar: tight grain softwood, yellow/green to light brown |
Shape and Size: What are the dimensions of the project? How does size effect cost?
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Carvings must be at least one square foot or larger. |
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Carvings can be round, oval, square, rectangular or an irregular shape. |
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Carvings can be 1/2" - 3" thick without laminations. |
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Custom size lumber is more difficult and expensive to obtain. |
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Carvings can be completed in stages to achieve an overall "build" such as a Podium, Mirror Frame, Head board or table. |
Cost: What are the factors that go into the cost of a project?
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Research: discovering inspiration from many sources to create your custom piece |
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Layout and Design: Are included in the per/foot price and is all done on computer |
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Materials: Costs vary according to grade of lumber and whether lumber has been surfaced |
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Labor: graphic design, precision shaping of materials, carving an original work and hourly shop rates apply. |
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Complexity of carving... typically chip carving is intricate but not as complex as relief carving or carving in the round. |
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Finish Requirements... we deliver the piece in its natural state, "unfinished" unless otherwise contracted. |
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Shipping... There are costs involved in packaging, crating, insuring and then delivering your original artwork. You chose the carrier. |
Time Constraints: How soon can we expect to have a project completed?
The following are the steps in commissioned work:
Initial contact is made by phone or by email: (304) 617-9045 donaldvphillips@hotmail.com
Design resources are collected (pictures, words, symbols) and customer preferences are identified before the carving begins.
A preliminary pattern is prepared for presentation to the customer.
After the preliminary pattern is approved in principle a master pattern is created. This contains the details that will appear in the carving in full size.
The customer approves the final design. At this time 50% of the total cost of the commission is payable.
The wood is prepared, the design is transferred to the piece, and the actual carving commences.
The carving is delivered to the customer, and the balance of payment is made.
Home Chip Carving Signs Mantels Relief Custom
contact us at: donaldvphillips@hotmail.com
Donald V. Phillips ©2009 all rights reserved