Homesteading & Artisan Crafts

Artisan Crafts

Wood carving was a critical skill in the 18th century. Aside from the aesthetic value, many wooden tools and utensils had to be made by hand — homesteaders didn’t have the option of running out to the hardware store every time they needed a new mallet or ax handle. We can imagine all the hard work that went into carving — or we can ask long-time museum volunteer Bob Lindemann.

Bob is a retired Industrial Arts teacher and member of the Green Mountain Woodcarvers who lives in Moretown, VT. He never sells his carvings; he prefers to give them away to family and friends. Here he shares how to get started in carving, and a simple project.

Museum volunteer Bob Lindemann, dressed in 18th-century kit, at the Ethan Allen Homestead museum.

I want to be a woodcarver.
How do I start?

Enjoy this video by our “Resident Curmudgeon” Bob Lindemann and download this instructional pdf:

Try a beginner project: Carving an eagle’s head pin

This is a great simple project to get you started with woodcarving. Download the detailed, printable instructions: