Master Wood Carvers

Master Wood Carvers Gets Popular Museum as Client

2009-08-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

A museum that is well known to all has awarded us the honor of allowing us to re-create a series of Arabesque screens, carved plaques, busts, and other of their historical artifacts.

These will be sold throughout the world to those designers that will create the old world atmosphere that was so popular in the 19th century, in the discriminate purchasers own home.

The intricate details of the carvings will be faithfully reproduced so that it will be difficult for all but the experts to see any real difference.

We are very proud to have been chosen by such a discriminating client .

Perhaps we may do your custom wood carvings as well?

The Benefits of Choosing Master Wood Carvers

2009-08-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

When there are so many other wood carvers out there, why do designers and kitchen and millwork workers choose us?

Here are the reasons:

1) All our carving work is done by hand, no CNC computerized machines for us. Hand carving gives the unique and subtle look that machine carved work does not achieve.

2) All our carvings are triple sanded unlike some of our competitors that casually mention that "some sanding may be required". Some sanding can mean hours of laborious work. We offer all our products ready for finishing which saves you time and energy.

3) All our wood corbels have recessed hanging strips that make installation simple and quick.

4) We are one of the very few that offer a custom carving department. We can carve whatever you can sketch or send a photo of.

No Customer Complaints Yet...

2009-07-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

We have just finished another year on the web, and are very proud to say that we have our enviable record still intact. 100% customer satisfaction on all custom corbels, crown molding, fireplace mantels, onlays, newels, posts and more.

We take great pains to keep our customers happy with superior product and customer service.

You can be assured when purchasing any of our products that you will be satisfied and then some. Our carvers all master carvers in their own right and make great strides to make sure each carving is an individual work of art that you will be proud to display in your home. From corbels to crown molding, we've got you covered.

When carving a custom order we will make a CAD drawing for your approval before we pick up the chisel. In other words "You are in good hands " with MasterWoodCarvers.

We will be happy to quote any of your special requirements.

You Don't Have to Sand Our Products

2009-06-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

Sand, Sand , Sand...

In the finishing industry, the Mantra is before finishing you must sand, after that is done then you sand again, and if you are a real craftsmen you sand once again.

So why doesn't the ordinary finisher do that? Well, it is time consuming and time is money. But the results are undeniable. Finish sanding makes the difference in results.

Why are we talking about this? Well it's because when you purchase a product from MasterWoodCarvers.com you receive a product that is ready for finishing. We have taken the laborious job of finish sanding away from you, because we have sanded, then sanded again, and yet sanded again for you.

All the products from MasterWoodCarvers have been TRIPLE sanded by our craftsmen. Now the hard part is done, have fun staining or painting your new purchase. When painting be careful not to "flood" the detail areas.

How Custom Wood Carving is Done

2009-05-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

How do they do that??

It is a mystery to some of our customers how we are able to carve in such great detail, from a photo that was sent to us. One of our customers gave us a 30" plaque to carve and wondered how it was that our carvers could so accurately reproduce all the details on that plaque.

Well the answer is that we first make a full size CAD drawing of the item with our computer including all the details contained.

Then through a chemical process we transfer that image directly on to the wood being carved. Then it's hand carved using the transferred image as the guide.

Unlike the urban myth that all you have to do is carve away the stuff you don't want and Viola there is the finished product. A lot of time and 4 generations of experience turns it into a piece of artwork.

We have reproduced everything from a swarm of dragon flies to an eight foot high giraffe (see our custom carving page) as well as a hand carved Cherry eight foot cross for a church in Florida, and we have done all this with nothing but praise for each one of these assignments.

If you have any custom carvings you need done send us the details and we will be happy to quote so you can turn your concept into reality.

New Rubberwood Corbels and Rubberwood Posts

2009-03-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

We have just introduced a new species of wood that is available in a select collection.

Look for our new section featuring our promotional items on our RubberWood page, (Listed on our website at MasterWoodCarvers.com. We have a select line of Corbels and posts in several different styles and sizes at very "friendly" prices. All are in stock for immediate shipment.

What is Rubberwood?

Rubberwood is a hardwood from the maple family of woods.
Rubberwood has very little tendency to warp or crack.
Because the tree is not harvested until it stops producing latex Rubberwood is eco-friendly in the sense that we are now using a lumber that was once being wasted.
Rubberwood paints and stains well.

Check out our selection of rubberwood corbels and posts at www.masterwoodcarvers.com!

How Decorative Corbels Can Be Used

2009-02-15T06:24:00.000-08:00

The picture to the left is a decorative Corbel used in a 150 year old balcony in Venice, and is just one of the many ways Corbels have been used to beautify a home.

In today's world, we see them in kitchens, bathrooms, architectural accents in doorways,shelf supports, high end architectural mill work in restaurants, public rooms in government buildings and many other applications. Their use is only limited to the imagination of the designer.
Master Wood Carvers online catalog has 8 different style groups of Corbels showing over 100 different corbels to choose from.

We stock them all in Maple, Oak, and Cherry. All ready for immediate shipment at "pocketbook friendly " prices. If you don't see what you are looking for our custom carving department will be happy to quote on a custom made piece to fit your requirements.

Carved Posts from Master Wood Carvers

2009-02-02T10:04:00.001-08:00

These carved posts will add a sense of importance and elegance to any application turning ordinary cabinetry into a classical treasure. Our posts are available in six different designs, from classical fluted, elegant reed and post, traditional rope, roman posts as well as our new mission series.

All posts are carved from maple, cherry and oak premium woods. We can carve any size or type post you need. Just send us your specifications via our contact form and we'll get back with you as soon as possible with an estimate.

Check our selection of other available in stock posts on our website, www.MasterWoodCarvers.com

Columns: Their Use and Origins

2009-01-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Columns are frequently used to support beams or arches on which the upper parts of walls or ceilings rest. In architecture "column" refers to such a structural element that also has certain proportional and decorative features. A column might not support any major structure but be a decorative or triumphant feature with e.g. a statue on top.

The design of most classical columns incorporates the inclusion of a slight outward curve in the sides plus a reduction in diameter along the height of the column, so that the top is as little as 83% of the bottom diameter. This reduction tends to make columns look taller and straighter than they are. The Doric Column is the oldest and simplest of the classical orders. It is composed of a vertical that is wider at the bottom. It generally has neither a base nor a detailed capital. It is instead often topped with an inverted frustum of a shallow cone or a cylindrical band of carvings.

The Corinthian Column is named for the Greek city-state of Corinth, to which it was connected in the period. However, according to the Greek architectural historian Vitruvius, the column was created by the sculptor Callimachus, probably an Athenian, who drew acanthus leaves growing around a votive basket. The column is considerably more complex than the Doric or Corinthian It usually has a base and the shaft is often fluted (it has grooves carved up its length). On the top is a capital in the characteristic shape of a , at the four corners. Due to the more refined proportions and scroll capitals, the Ionic column is sometimes associated with academic buildings.

MasterWoodCarvers accurate hand carved renditions of these classical columns bring to the home the ability of these examples of architectural beauty to create a powerful statement in any application that you may use it in.

How Our Carvers Create Relief Carving

2009-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Last week we talked about the different types of "relief" found in our carvings.. Today we are going to actually follow each step that our carvers go through to create these architectural gems.

1. Create a pattern drawn on paper
2. Prepare a piece of hardwood for carving. This may be a single piece of wood or a laminated block of wood. Most high quality carvers will use a block of wood that has been created by vertically gluing segments together. This is necessary to keep the wood from warping or cracking.
3. Transfer the pattern to the panel, using carbon paper as the transfer medium.
4. Remove wood around the objects that comprise the pattern.
5. Model (shape) the objects.
6. Detail (do the intricate work) the objects.
7. Clean and smooth out the background behind the objects.
8. By then we have taken a piece of wood and transformed it into a piece of Art.
9. Check our website at www.masterwoodcarvers.com to see all the "art work" we have created to beautify your home.

Relief Carving as Done by Our Master Wood Carvers.

2009-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Relief carving is as old as antiquity, yet it is still enjoyed by carvers today. There is essentially no limit to this form of artistic expression. Relief carving is a sculptural form in which figures are carved in a flat panel of wood. The figures project only slightly from the background rather than standing freely. Depending on the degree of projection, reliefs may also be classified as low, deep or medium relief. Relief usually under 1/2" in depth.is considered a low relief carving. A medium relief would be up to 2" and over 2" would be high or deep relief.

All our carvings in other than standalone items in the MasterWoodCarvers catalog is done in relief. Relief carving can be described as "carving pictures in wood". The process of relief carving involves removing wood from a flat wood panel in such a way that an object appears to rise out of the wood. Relief carving begins with a design idea, usually put to paper in the form of a master pattern which is then transferred to the wood surface. Our Master Wood carvers use only hand tools - chisels and gouges - which sometimes require a mallet to drive them through the wood.

As wood is removed from the panel around the objects traced onto it from the pattern, the objects themselves stand up from the background wood. Modeling of the objects can take place as soon as enough background has been removed and the object edges are trimmed to the pattern lines.

In order to secure the wood panel, a workbench with fixtures like bench-dogs, carver's screw or clamps, is necessary. Carving tools come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, some aimed strictly at the hobbyist, but others directed at professional carvers. Some carving tools are held with one hand while the carving is held in the other. But most relief carving requires that the wood panel be secured so that both hands may be on the carving tool.

Next week I'll be talking about how our carvers create these architectural gems. Stay tuned!

Wood Carvings from Master Wood Carvers

2009-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well here we are, it's a brand new year filled with new plans to add quality to your life and take some more time to "stop and smell the flowers".

What better way to add to the beauty in your life than to make your home, where you spend most of your waking hours reflect all these expressions?

Our online catalog at MasterWoodCarvers.com is filled with hand carved architectural details from Corbels, Fireplace Mantles, Stair Case parts and everything in between.

Browse through and be delighted with all the options available to turn your house into a stunning home. And may we all enjoy a New Year filled with health, happiness and surrounded by beautiful things.

To all of our friends and customers

2008-12-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

Now that we are entering the Holiday Season and embarking on a Historical New Year we at MasterWoodCarvers would like to take this moment to wish everyone A very joyous Holiday, filled with Health, Happiness, and above all the Love of family and friends.

What do Eagles and Square apples have in common?

2008-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

A strange comparison and of course nothing at all...except that our Custom Carving department has carved them both and that's not even including the Giraffes or Dragonflies that we have done as well.

We are capable of carving anything that you can sketch or send us a picture of. Special sizes of any of our stock items can be done as well.

So don't be bashful, ask us for a no obligation quote on your special needs. Check our on-line catalog at masterwoodcarvers.com for that special item that will make your home look so special.

Why Hardwood Carves Better Than SoftWood

2008-12-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear.and be carved with great detail.

If the wood is too soft, it does carve easily but not well. The sharp detail that makes a carving look crisp is not there and the carvings lack the subtle detail that you find when using hardwoods.

We at Master Wood Carvers use only kiln dried Hardwoods such as Hard Maple, Oak, and Cherry for our carvings. The less expensive Carvers found in Asia use much softer woods in their carvings, and the difference is very apparent. The Hardness of wood measured by the Janka test are:

Pine.... 420
Oak..... 1290
Hard Maple....1450
Cherry ......... 950

To give you a frame of reference, Lignum Vitae which is used for dock pilings because it has a higher specific gravity than water and is almost impossible to carve has a Janka rating of 4500.

So when we talk wood carvings, Hard is much Always better than soft. Check out our online catalog for custom carved corbels, fireplace mantles, posts, onlays, balusters, capitals and more that we have to help beautify your home.

Master Wood Carvers Customer Guarantee

2008-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

How do you know if the company you order from and send your money to will perform to your expectations...or even worse misappropriate your sensitive financial information?

Actually you really don't know until after you receive your ordered Carvings.

Master Wood Carvers satisfaction guarantee states that if you are not happy with the products you ordered due to manufacturing defects, we will replace it with new carvings until you are satisfied.

As far as sensitive financial information, we have certifications from two highly respected agencies testifying to the safety of that information since it is encrypted and only able to be accessed by our computers and not by humans.

So you can feel comfortable in knowing that you are in good hands with Master Wood Carvers, and we are proud to say we have not yet had any dissatisfied customers.

Hand Carved Fireplace Mantles

2008-11-17T07:19:00.000-08:00

Every room needs a focal point, and how better to create one then by installing one of our Hand Carved Fireplace Mantles.

Our Hand Carved Fireplace mantles carved with great detail by our Master Carvers have been inspired by old world fireplace mantles found in the palaces throughout Europe.

These fireplace mantles are sure to add a sense of classical elegance to any room. Our selection which covers the range from simple to Ornate Hand Carved Fireplace Mantles which incorporate the use of carved flowers and floral arrangements and are sure to be the most talked about part of your home.

All of our Hand Carved Fireplace Mantles are carved from American Maple, which insures the crisp detail that are important to the overall appearance of this functional and magnificent piece of "art" work. The addition of this Hand Carved Fireplace Mantle will create a sense of warmth and character that will enjoy forever.and will most certainly add to the value of your home many times the money invested.

Feel free to review our Hand Carved Fireplace Mantle offerings at www.masterwoodcarvers.com and pick the style that best fits into your decor.

Custom Wood Carving and Then "Sum"

2008-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Why do we use such a grammatically incorrect phrase? Well it's to get your attention because we want you to know that we have custom hand carved a veritable plethora of unusual items. To name a few:

a) A Seven foot and an Eight solid wood giraffe

b) A swarm of 12 dragonflies, each 5" x 5" mounted on solid Cherry.

c) A church has asked us to carve a 96" X 44" Solid Cherry Cross with carvings to be used in their sanctuary.

d) An 12" branch of holly with leaf and berries for a gentlemen for a surprise for his wife who is named Holly.

e) Plus a multitude of orders for custom sizes the regular products that you see in our website at www.masterwoodcarvers.com.

If you can sketch it, WE CAN CARVE IT!!!

WE CAN CARVE ANYTHING ... send us your special item for a no obligation quote. Check us out at www.masterwoodcarvers.com.

Purchase Pierced Moldings

2008-11-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our pierced moldings are available in five different motifs: Shell, Floral, Scroll, Grape and Oak leaves. The detail in each are breathtaking. The Oak leaves in particular show acorns in great detail even to the minute details of the acorn husks.

They are available in Maple, Oak, And Cherry in 8 feet lengths to match any surrounding areas of natural wood that it may be applied to. When painting be careful not to load the brush with excess paint so as not to flood the fine details of the carving. Pierced molding is used on flat surfaces to enhance the beauty of cabinet or surface that it is applied to.

Check out our website at www.masterwoodcarvers.com to see what other architectural gems we have to make your home more beautiful.

All About Hand Carved Capitals from Master Wood Carvers

2008-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

What better way to add a sense of elegance to your home than to add Capitals to the areas of your home that you want to accentuate. These designs of Capitals are copies of Greek Roman capitals found in historic drawings. Capitals are an important design feature when used with columns or moldings, hi-lighting entrance ways. The look and feel of an entrance way that is flanked with columns and are topped with Capitals gives a sense of commanding importance to the room. Our selection of these hand carved Capitals offer the designer or architect the ability to create areas that speak of their importance.

The copies that we offer of these ancient Corinthian,and Ionic architectural designs can be easily incorporated into the modern lifestyle that we enjoy today. When Capitals are used as accent pieces in fine cabinetry there is no better way to make an ordinary cabinet into an important piece of furniture. Small Capitals are used as accent pieces in the kitchen as well. while the use of larger ones can be part of the design of an important piece of furniture Today we see the use of Capitals in the kitchen, great room, hallway, even incorporated in bathroom vanities. Your home will be the most envied in your neighborhood with the use of capitals as part of your decorating scheme.

Check our large selection of capitals for the one that works best with your decor at www.masterwoodcarvers.com! Here are just a few that we carry:

Make Any Room Beautiful with Hand Carved Crown Moldings and Chair Rail Moldings

2008-10-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

"What a beautiful room!" That's what you will hear from any visitor when they see your room fitted with our magnificent hand carved moldings.

What better way to turn an ordinary room into an important one, than by using our selection of hand carved deep relief crown and chair rail moldings. Both are available in large 5" or standard 3" width. They are carefully and lovingly carved showing deep relief that makes the different designs jump out at you demanding your attention and admiration. It is sure to make the room an important part of your home.

Crown molding is used in the room at the point that the wall touches the ceiling and will add an elegant appearance to any room. Crown moldings are used as focal points in bedrooms, great rooms, pretty much in any room including bathrooms and kitchens. Our hand carved moldings will create an aura of sophistication that no other addition to your room can.

The use of Crown moldings as ornamental cap to kitchen cabinets greatly enhances the appearance of the kitchen, and gives your kitchen the stamp of your personal taste.

Chair rails were originally created to protect the beautiful painted walls of palaces from damage done by chairs. Chair rails are different from Crown moldings in that they have a concave profile while Crown moldings have a convex profile, so that they will not be damaged easily by chairs.

The attention to the deep detail of these chair rail moldings is sure to bring compliments from all who see it. Since chair rails are installed about 30 inches from the floor they are well within eyesight of all and are generally scrutinized for their workmanship. The attention to detail and the deep relief of the carving of these beautiful designs of grape clusters, floral leaves, scrolls and flowers are most impressive when viewed at this height.

Chair rail moldings can also be used as frames to highlight a particular piece of artwork because it is flat it is adaptable to many different applications Chair rail moldings when used in the same room as Crown moldings create the most impressive appearance.

A Stairway to Paradise: Newels & Balusters

2008-10-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

Our Hand Caved Newels and Balusters made into an incredibly grand staircase will become the focal point of your home.

Our Balusters and Newels are available in two different sizes, two different carving motifs, both Acanthus leaves and Grape design, and are all available in either Maple, Oak or Cherry.

Just imagine when your guests enter your home and see this imposing stair case hand carved by 4th generation Master Craftsmen. This most beautiful sight will create a powerful first impression and become the highlight of your home, and surely become the topic of much conversation and admiration.

Navigate through our online catalog at Master Wood Carvers and see our other corbels, mantles, onlays, posts, capitals we have to make your home even more beautiful.

Things to look for before purchasing Corbels

2008-10-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

Before purchasing your next corbel, make sure to ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is the corbel hardwood that shows deep relief and detail, or softwood?

Soft woods (usually imports) do not carve as well and lose much of the detail found in hard woods and do not take stain or paint in the same manner.

2) Is the corbel machine carved or hand carved?

Machine carved woods lack the detail and subtleties that you will find in Hand Carved products.

3) Is the finished product triple smooth sanded ready for finishing, or must you hand sand it before?

4) Does the corbel have a metal hanging strip on the back to insure proper and easy corbel installation?

5) Do they use Kiln dried hardwoods?

Air dried woods are subject to cracking and splitting when exposed to changes of temperature found in homes.

6 ) Does the vendor guarantee complete satisfaction? Master Wood Carvers does! Shop our online site for corbels and many other specialty custom wood carvings.

How To Transform An Ordinary Cabinet Into A Treasure

2008-09-26T05:16:00.000-07:00

The use of hand carved wood onlays applied to the side and front of an simple ordinary cabinet will magically transform it into an extraordinary one. Choose from our selection of Scrolls, Shell with leaves, Grape motifs,as well as Rose swags. All our Onlays are available in Maple, White Oak, and Cherry. and available in sizes ranging fro 8" to 36" in length. Here's an idea, click on to one of our onlays print it on your computer and then scotch tape it on to your cabinet and see what magic it can do.

Check out Master Wood Carvers for all of your custom wood carving needs.

Why we don't carve out of a single piece of wood

2008-09-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

One of our customers thought that because our carvings were carved from pieces of wood that was glued together (not one piece of wood) that it was an inferior product...well I'm here to say NOTHING could be further from the truth.

In order to keep a piece of wood from cracking and splitting after it has been kiln dried, great care is taken in gluing up segments of wood (only vertical segments) and gluing them together so that opposing grain structures will work against each other this is called tumbling the core.

This keeps the wood from warping. The glue lines are practically hidden because great care is given to have the glued up pieces match each other for color and grain structure. The detail of the carving itself tends to hide the joints.

A great example of this is if you have ever seen native carvings from the Caribbean or Africa. They are mostly always carved from a single piece of wood. Once they are exposed to the changes of temperature that is found in all homes they begin to show little cracks (called checking) which become large splits over time. The reason of course is that not only is it carved of a single piece of wood it is also because that the wood is always Air Dried, while fine carvings like ours are carved from wood that has been Kiln Dried.

As a point of information, all wood moldings, doors or other fine millwork found in homes are made from Kiln Dried wood. View the MasterWoodCarvers website to view our custom hand carved products.

We Made the BIG time

2008-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

We just delivered Corbels to the home of an internationally known figure (Can't tell you the name, but for sure you have heard of him).

Anyhow the requirement was for a special size of one of our Corbels that had to be custom made. We got a drawing and the details and delivered all 18 of them within 30 days.

Why do I tell you all this, because we want you to know that if we can satisfy the architect of this customer we can satisfy you and any requirement that you might have.

Check our online catalog for all the beautiful things that we have in stock from Corbels to hand carved, onlays, capitals, moldings, Fireplaces and much more that can transform your home from ordinary to extraordinary.

What are these things called Corbels?

2008-09-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

As we all know Hand Carved Corbels are available in different styles as well as sizes. The styles are varied by region.

The Ancient Romans used leaves from the Acanthus plant to weave into Crowns that they bestowed upon the heads of the winner of Athletic events. It wasn't only the slaves against the Lions that occupied their leisure time. They adorned their homes with these plants as well. It was a sign of wealth and prestige that motivated the Romans to decorate their homes with these beautiful arrangements called acanthus corbels.

Grape designs were very popular among the Ancient French and Italians since the wine grape was so important to the economy of these two countries. It only follows that honoring the grape in their decorating schemes was a given.. The grape Corbel with the care given to carving the fine details of the cluster is one of the more beautiful examples of the Corbels found in old palaces and the homes of Royalty.

Floral Corbels carved in great detail and deep relief were a favorite of the ancient Grecians and are found in the homes of the affluent and important people of the old Greek cities. They are somewhat similar to the Acanthus design but with subtle differences in the size of the leaf.

All of these different styles of Corbels and more are to be found in the website of MasterWoodCarvers.com.

Check out the beautiful architectural details that we offer to make your home speak of your individuality.