The other day, a little lady came to the Slöjd meetup and asked whether I could carve a mouse. I had never done so, but we worked it out together. And I thought I would share it with you. You start by cutting with the saw of your SAK, one rectangular and the second diagonal to the first, but only half of the depth of the first.
These serve as a stop cut. You can also use the blade, but the saw is a tad faster and maybe a bit safer. Take note that I left some length to the branch, the better to handle your carving.
At the first stop cut, reduce the diametre of the stick.
Carve a tip on that side of the cut. That will be the snout of the mouse. Reduce the diametre of the branch behind the diagonal cut. This will become the ears and the body.
With your saw, cut out a notch between the ears. Be careful, because you are cutting with the grain, and the wood splits easily. Refine the cut with the help of the little whittling blade.
Carve the back of the body. Refine the snout and back and saw the mouse off the branch. Refine the cut with your little whittler blade.
Carve the eyes and refine the snout and body.
It is a really nice and fast project, satisfying also for kiddos. You can of course refine the carving more, by working out the legs, or give it a more abstract form. Make it your own!
Shoutout to little Nele, who provided the inspiration for me to think about it!
Hope you enjoy it, and take care!
