WHEELER WOOD + DESIGN

Whittling Wonders Every Day

About the artist

Tori is a woodcarver based in Kansas City who enjoys whittling as her creative outlet. She began carving in October of 2020 and has explored a variety of styles and techniques. She primarily creates small figurines inspired from the tranquility of a forest. Often, Tori’s carvings are not entirely carved wood as she includes items found in nature such as sticks, minerals, and other natural materials.

Working a different full-time job in technology, she enjoys the hands-on, screen-free relaxation that carving can bring. Her favorite part of carving is the ability to see tangible results from goal setting and practice. The feeling of personal accomplishment after completing each piece is hard to beat.

FAQ

I’d like to start wood carving, what do I need?

Welcome to the carving community! There are only a few key essentials you need to get started: carving glove(s), a knife, strop and compound, and wood. For my first few carvings, I started with only a roughout knife. These basics will get you going and once you determine that this is the craft for you then you can expand your tool collection. No need to rush this - it grows quick even if you try not to let it! 😅


What materials do you use?

I work primarily with Northern Basswood as my wood of choice. I am very fond of coloring pieces with water-based wood stains and dyes.


How did you get started?

I fell in love with woodcarving after visiting the Christkindlmarkt (Holiday Market) in Saarbrücken, Germany in 2017. In an effort to expand my collection, I first attempted to replicate the styles I admired in October of 2020. With no idea what I needed to get started, I walked into a local craft store and bought a set of palm tools and a roughout knife. What started as a goal to expand my woodcarving collection turned into a passion. I have since identified the artists that first inspired me as Jan and Adam Diemieszonek. I have been in contact with them and I hope to be able to visit them again in the future!