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I carved this unique and whimsical bark house in a piece of Cottonwood bark. Yes, this is actual bark from a Cottonwood tree. This is my first whimsical house carving.

I like to imagine the "Littles" that inhabit this unique dwelling. This is an exit only house as there is no easy way to enter :) There are stairs down and even a slide, but getting back up is tricky business. I suppose only the Littles know the easy way to enter.

I really like the natural shape and texture of this bark. It's like a house that was formed in and with nature- everything about it seems natural.

This sculpture is carved from one piece of bark and finished with oil and wax. I signed and dated the back and also attached a hanger on the back.

I created this carving beginning with carpentry chisels to remove the bad bad bark, then working my way down to finer and finer rotary hand tools. The finest of sandpaper does wonders with bark, as it is easy to smooth things up in a hurry.

If I can give any tips or pointers, feel free to contact me. If you have any advice, I'm all ears :)

TO VISIT MY SHOP: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoshCarteArt

TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.Facebook.com/JoshCarteArt

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Comments

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Whew That is different lookd gtest I like it much!
 

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Thanks, guys! Taxes are cheap there, Rustynails… Ready to move? :)
 

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Great job! It kind of reminds me of those small wax cast sandcastles they sold in the 1970s and 1980s - they always had lots of detail. I still have one - the only castle I will ever be able to afford. :)

Also reminds me of the Keebler Elf Door art project from a couple years ago - Keebler Cookies sponsored artists to build tiny elf doors in trees in public parks across the country. Some were very plain and others were quite ornate.

Thanks for sharing.
 

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Josh, that is beautiful. Congratulations.
It really does look like an enchanted bushland cottage.

Bob.
 

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Josh

I really love the carving. I always wanted to do carving like that and do not know how or the tools but I do like to see the results.
 

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Josh,

Are you sure you're not Gandoph? LOL! Great addition and home for your wood spirits.
 

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Very whimsicle and detailed, as always. haha-DocSavage, Gandolf. :)
 

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Thank you, fellas :) I may be turning Gandolfish, Tom :) Arlin, you can create a carving sort of like this one with a piece of bark, some carpentry chisels and sandpaper- and a little vision. It's a whole lot of fun- don't be afraid to try!
 

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Speaking of Elf Doors: Have you done any Faerie Doors?
 

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No faerie doors, Mark. But, that might be a good idea
 

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Thanks, Charles! Trouble is, I've got about 5 lines coming at me all at the same time
 

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Josh, if you've got more demand for your work than you are able to do it's a comforting fact of economics that you can usually raise your prices so the demand drops and the price rises to a new equilibrium point. You do nice work and have a nice line of products in your etsy store. You have also developed your own style. Congratulations.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
 

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Very true, Charles! But, what I really mean is that there is just so much that I want to carve and there aren't enough hours in a day
 
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