The premier work of author-carver Ron Ransom. He offers instructions for three specific versions of Santa Claus and many other variations, as well as painting instructions. Rons illustrations serve as an impetus for the carver to approach his own work with freedom. His Old World Santas are great symbols of happiness and goodness.

From the Amish country in Pennsylvania, Ron Ransom has been inspired to create patterns and carvings of an Amish family. Six patterns, clear instructions, and color photos guide you in carving a family in traditional Amish dress. Out of respect for their preferences, Ron has left the faces blank. Reflecting the Amish lifestyle, Ron's tools, techniques and instructions are plain and simple. When the carvings are complete, painting and antiquing methods are demonstrated as well. A color photo gallery provides a last, close look at these charming basswood carvings. As with all of Ron Ransom's books, the projects presented here will engage the beginner and provide solid bases upon which advanced carvers may add their own creative touches.

When children ask what Santa does during the rest of the year, you can show them these three sporting Santas. Ron was inspired to design these miniature athletes while anticipating the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Additional patterns for two of Ron's favorite figures, the quilt and tree-holding Santas, are also included. Ron guides carvers through every step of creating with simple, detailed instructions and color photographs. A gallery is concluded showing each Santa's distinctive character. Carvers with fifteen years or fifteen minutes experience will find this book a welcome addition to their libraries.

Ron Ransom returns to angel carving with wonderful, often whimsical, figures depicting the heavenly host at work and play. Patterns for a guardian angel, two horn-blowing angels, and an angel to the golfers are provided. Ron takes the carver through each step of the carving, painting, and antiquing processes with simple, direct instructions and clear color photographs. Variations on the basic painting designs are discussed as well. A color gallery provides a good look at the finished pieces and their variations. This book will be an inspiration to all carvers, from the beginners to the most advanced.

Ron Ransom's latest carving guide will walk you through the creation of wonderful and whimsical holiday characters to entertain all year long. Full color photographs, easy-to-understand instructions, and detailed patterns make this book simple enough for beginners, yet challenging for experienced carvers looking for new ideas. A color gallery of all the finished pieces provides readers with close up detail of the finished products. The projects shown in this book, designed using simple hand tools, include a "flying" witch and a headless figure with pumpkin for Halloween, a leprechaun to bring out the Irish in all of us, and a wise old Father Time to celebrate New Year's Eve. Simple but precise patterns for all of these projects, as well as instructions on how to paint and antique them are provided. Ron also gives carvers tips on improvising on these projects to stimulate your creativity and keep you supplied with fresh ideas.

Instructions for carving and painting a variety of appealing wooden angel figures with ease and humor. With many color and black-and-white illustrations of the creative steps, the book presents numerous different angle designs as weathervanes, Christmas ornaments, and free-standing figures of appealing and frequently whimsical personalities. The instructions encourage all to try.

Santa Mini-Cheers (c) answer the wood carver's perennial question, What can I do with all of these basswood scraps? Presented are six patterns and instructions for carving three miniature Santas and a larger Santa holding a snowman. All are carved in an Old World style, with simplicity and character. Ron skill-fully guides the carver through each project with straight-forward, step-by-step directions, color illustrations, and a bit of humor. A gallery is included. For those who are familiar with Ron's other books, this one will be a welcome addition. For new carvers, this book will both guide you through the process and inspire you to forge ahead in the wood carvers craft.

One of America's favorite carvers brings seven new step-by-step Santa projects to his many fans, old and new. These Santas have special interests including golf, fishing, and skiing, among others. As always Ron Ransom makes the carving easy, interesting, and fun.

Ron Ransom returns to the North Pole in his latest carving book on Santas. Here, through detailed instructions, step-by-step color photographs, and clear patterns, anyone can learn to carve the traditional holiday figure using simple hand tools. Painting techniques are also described in full, along with tips on "antiquing" your Santas, and many carving and painting hints on how to make small improvisations on the projects to make them all unique. Some of the Santas included here are a torch-bearing "Olympic" Santa, a Santa on skis, and a Santa with snowman. A color gallery at the end of the book shows the finished results in detail. Ron's latest look at St. Nick is a great way to get creative for the holidays, whether you are just learning or are an old hat at carving.

Using over 220 beautiful color photographs and clear, concise instructions, Ron Ransom takes the reader through all the steps necessary to carve nine of his favorite "Old World" Santas from wood. Patterns are provided for Santas holding a variety of objects, ranging from angels and Christmas trees to a golf club, messages, fishing poles, and even political emblems! Along with the carving instructions (sprinkled with Ron's unique sense of humor), general tips for painting the completed Santas are provided, as well as answers to carvers most frequently asked questions Also, a gallery of finished Santas is presented for further inspiration. Whether the carver has been working with wood for fifteen years or fifteen minutes, this book will be a new treasure.