I’ve been carving wood for a couple of years now. Before that, I spent a long time wanting to try it, but not knowing where to start. I’m not an artist, and I’ve never claimed to be. I just enjoy working with my hands and seeing something take shape out of a simple block of wood.

I started the same way a lot of folks do — with a tree branch, a Dremel I already owned, and a lot of curiosity. I watched videos, made mistakes, and learned one small lesson at a time. Somewhere along the way, carving went from “something I want to try” to something I look forward to sitting down and doing.

That’s why I started Front Porch Carver.

This site is for beginners. For people who’ve looked at carved figures and thought, I’d love to do that, but I wouldn’t even know where to start. You don’t need fancy tools or natural talent. You just need a sharp knife, some wood, and a little patience.

I’m still learning myself, and that’s part of the point. I’ll be sharing what’s worked for me, what hasn’t, and the basics I wish someone had explained when I was starting out.

If you’re new here, pull up a chair. We’ll learn to carve one chip at a time.