Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques

The Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is here to show you how simple making wands can be – no mysterious magic necessary! In the first-ever guide for muggles to making wands, you’ll learn how to hand carve, power carve, wood turn, and scroll saw 20 unique projects that are sure to delight and manage mischief. Be inspired with a gallery of beloved staff-carrying and wand-wielding characters from the infamous Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series, then use the Wand Sketchbook section to design your own original wands! From there, five wand projects for each woodworking technique are presented with step-by-step instructions, coordinating photography, and patterns.

The Compendium of Wooden Wand Making Techniques is a whimsical, fun quest into wand making. From carving to turning, you’ll find a technique to suit your skill level. —Logan Wittmer, Editor in Chief, Popular Woodworking

For those who wish to make their own wooden wand, there are four primary woodworking techniques covered here, each addressed by an expert artisan woodworker: hand carving, scroll saw, turning, and power carving. A brief history of the presence and uses of wands in a variety of cultures, from ancient Greece to northern European societies, culminates with a nod to wand lore in current popular culture. A guide to types of wood includes information about physical qualities as well as the more mystical attributes ascribed to each (this book does not make any claims about magic, instead framing this aspect in the context of what has been said by others). Each expert provides information about the required materials and tools used in that technique, followed by instructions for completing five unique wand designs. Step-by-step photos and instruction are accompanied by diagrams that can be photocopied as well as close-up color

images of each completed project. A basic knowledge of woodworking and tool use is assumed. Safety information is included throughout.—Booklist

Fox Chapel Publishing publishes books, magazines, patterns, and videos for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. We inspire and inform readers who enjoy a variety of crafts and hobbies, including coloring books, woodworking, needlework, home and garden, cooking, outdoor recreation, kid crafts, Zentangle®, and more.

James Miller started carving at age 11 under the guidance of a supportive Community Education carving group. The members of this group introduced him to the Scandinavian flat-plane style, which sparked his ever-expanding interest in Scandinavian culture as a whole. This interest, and the support of mentors, family, and friends, has led him to become the youngest Vesterheim Gold Medalist woodworker, teach several classes, and demonstrate in numerous small-town events. In 2010, James’ work appeared in Woodcarving Illustrated for the first time as part of the Best Carving Design Contest. Several years later, through the encouragement of Harley Refsal, he submitted an article to Woodcarving Illustrated’s 5th Whittling edition. Since then, he has written several articles for the magazine, and in 2018, he traveled to Norway to meet with talented craftsmen and learn their techniques.

When he’s not busy with handcraft, exploring the outdoors, or spending time with his friends, James is at work developing software, where he also happily faces the same challenge he finds in his woodcarving: simplifying and abstracting ideas in unique ways.

For more of his work, visit www.facebook.com/jrm.woodcarving.