Al Streetman takes devoted readers and beginning carvers alike back to the wonderful world of folk carving, which leaves less to "the rules" and more to the imagination! In older days, folk art was a way of transforming plain everyday objects and materials into decorative accent pieces to brighten the home. Here are 20 patterns for bird and fish, with a simplicity that makes the carving process quick and enjoyable, and the final product charming and elegant. In full-color photography, Al guides the carver step-by-step though the carving of a bird and a catfish, providing not only careful instructions for carving but also for painting and presenting each piece. The basic patterns make either wonderful learning tools or a solid foundation for more intricate carvings.

Leprechauns are some of the folk-lore creatures that have always fascinated the author. He claims that he once caught one, just long enough to sketch him for a carving. Now Al Streetman shares 25 of his leprechaun patterns with other carvers who may not have been so lucky. In addition he shares many of his tricks and carving secrets in clear photographs and captions. The methods he uses and teaches will give the reader some new insight into character carving techniques, and will make carving easier and more fun. After you get a few carved and painted, they will make a colorful addition to your carving collection. Leprechauns are also popular with buyers and collectors, which is a good feature if you plan to sell any of them.

Al Streetman goes west with a new carving and pattern book. This time he shares the secrets of carving the western gunfighter, and provides the carver with 25 creative patterns...enough for the O.K. Corral and more! Concise instruc-tions take the carver step-by-step through the project, from laying out the pattern to painting the finished work. The book is designed to be used by carvers of all levels, from novice to advanced. The results are delightful figures of which the artist will be proud. This book follows two other well-received carving books by Al Streetman, 41 Santa Patterns for Carvers and 25 Uncle Sam Patterns for Carvers.

41 exciting, creative new Santa patterns in one book! 41 Santa Patterns for Woodcarvers provides beginning wood carvers with projects which they can accomplish with a minimum of tools and frustration. For the intermediate and advanced carvers it offers a wide assortment of Santas in different poses. One project is followed in a step-by-step, fully illustrated manner, so even the beginner can pick up on basic carving techniques. The patterns in this book are full-size, and include approximate dimensions of the side and front views. Santa carvings are an ever-popular item with carvers, as well as with collectors and people who want them for a touch of warmth in their homes. This book comes at just the right time for those Christmas projects, and will be a delightful resource throughout the year.

Veteran carver and instructor Al Streetman cleaned up his shop and came up with yet another hot book, this one presenting a thin cast of characters carved from leftover wood scraps. Streetman takes novice and advanced carvers alike through a step-by-step process of carving and painting these unique creations made from piles of narrow leftovers. The task is made simpler with 126 photos and more than 25 illustrations, including the cutout patterns for 20 unique figures, such as Santas, elves, and the featured pirate project. In addition to sharing Al's tips and secrets regarding head, hand, and body carving, this informative book provides detailed suggestions regarding carving tools, paintbrushes, and paint colors.

Once you finish carving your first gnome, the little guy will surely want you to carve some more elfin friends for him! It's a good thing Al Streetman has included 15 different patterns for well-dressed elves and gnomes of all shapes and sizes--drawn up with the beginner in mind, but with plenty of potential for the experienced carver's creativity to build on. With step-by-step instructions and color photography, Al demonstrates how to carve and paint the first project from start to finish. He also provides some helpful general advice about technique, finer details, and painting; his reference charts are handy for any carving. A full-color gallery of finished projects will bring a smile to your face and a spark to your imagination. His laid-back style and straightforward techniques make Al Streetman a pleasure to carve with--enjoy!

Here is an assortment of carving projects unlike any other! This book captures the magic and fun of a street-corner band, with eight different personalities jamming away, heart and soul, for passers-by. The whimsical characters are irresistable-you'll want to clap your hands and sing along with them. Al guides the reader step-by-step through the carving of "Hurricane" Brown, the saxophone player for this wonderful ensemble, from using the pattern, to carving the figure, to painting and finishing it. In addition to the actual project instructions, some very helpful tips and techniques are presented in the introductory section. Beginning and advanced carvers alike will learn a great deal from Al's many years of carving experience! A colorful gallery introduces you to other members of the band and a chapter of patterns provides the specifics for carving all eight characters.

One of the most sought-after and respected carvers of wooden Santa figures shares 20 new and delightful patterns. Al Streetman takes the reader step-by-step through the carving of a "windblown Santa," holding a lantern and grasping a walking stick as he tries to make his way through a Christmas eve storm. This and other whimsical creations offer hours of fun, challenge, and creativity to carvers of all ability levels. In addition, for carver who wish to sell their work, Santas have a proven marketability among Christmas collectors. The carving steps are illustrated with clear color photographs and precise instructions. The patterns offer at least two views of each of the 20 Santas. In addition, Al provides hints from his many years of carving experience and teaching, secrets that are invaluable to both the novice carver and the professional, including some tips and tricks for arm and hand carving and multi-part construction techniques. This method lets you make maximum use of grain direction, in order to save valuable wood from being wasted, and to make the carving easier. This is a welcome addition to the carver's library and joins the long list of Al Streetman's other popular and successful carving instruction books.

Wire and canvas decoys were popular around the Eastern shore of Virginia and the Carolinas near the turn of the 20th century. Because an abundance of good carving wood was not handy, decoy makers in this region used ingenuity to create clever replicas of large birds such as the Canada Goose. This book includes patterns for ten different breeds, a colorful gallery, helpful reference charts, and a lot of tried-and-true advice for carvers motivated to take on these projects, or to design their own. Al Streetman guides the reader step-by-step through making one of these wire and canvas decoys, through constructing the body and carving the head, to painting the finished project. He even demonstrates how to antique the decoy for an elegant weathered look.

Having an Al Streetman book is liking having your own personal carving instructor sit down on the back porch with you. His easygoing Oklahoma ways and his patient, soothing voice are evident in the simple instructions, as though he were right there with you, carving blade in hand, leading you through the simple step-by-step task of characterization. And that's where the Streetman's true brilliance lies-he is a master of the character, and this book is rich with them. There are 30 patterns, with something for every holiday of the year, in here. Streetman's instructions, clear photos, and meticulously drawn patterns will make an expert of beginners, and offer experts a challenge. Many people simply trace his well-drawn patterns on thin flat board or cardboard and paint them for tree ornaments.

Here's a heavenly project, filled with delightful, though sometimes impish, angels. Al Streetman's reputation as a caricature carver and teacher has grown with his increasing library of books. Here he provides enough patterns for a heavenly host, with step-by-step instructions about carving, painting, and antiquing. This is the perfect book for the new carver looking for the wisdom of experience and for the veteran carver seeking some new ideas and techniques. The results are angels that are at home any time of the year, but especially at the Christmas holiday. They make perfect gifts and, for those who sell their craft, they draw people to the table in droves. This is a book that will be much used and long loved. Enjoy!

Based on the strong response from carvers around the world, Al Streeman has drawn together a new book of Santa Claus patterns. 35 new patterns are presented along with helpful tips from Al's many years of carving experience. This book is written more for the carver who has some level of experience, but just needs some basic line drawings/patterns to get started. There are also general tips and recommendations as to wood selection, paint colors, and tools. Some of the patterns appear in their final, carved and painted form. so the reader will have 3-D references. The patterns are printed full-size. This is a valuable resource for carvers and a welcome addition to their library.

For hopelessly addicted Santa carvers, this wonderful book will spur them to new heights and depths. Here are 60 of Al Streetman's whimsical, humorous caricature patterns, bringing exciting new dimensions to Santa carving. Al takes the carver step-by-step through the carving of a Santa flying on a candy cane to deliver his goods. It is fun to carve and, from Al's experience, is a good seller at carving shows. It offers a slight but not difficult challenge, and can be executed by novices and pros alike. The book provides some tips and tricks for head and hand carving. All in all, the perfect fix for the Santa craving.

With clear instructions and vivid color photographs, Al Streetman takes woodcarvers through all the steps necessary to release a wood spirit from a cypress knee. Using the shapes suggested by the forms of the knees themselves, Al carves both a complete Santa figure and a Santa ornament as the central projects of the book. Also included are a listing of tools used in the projects, directions for painting and antiquing the completed carvings, and a color gallery featuring additional cypress knee Santa figures to inspire the carver. This book will present interesting challenges to the novice and be a joy for the more advanced woodcarver.