Who are they and what do they do? The task of the wood carver is to manufacture and restore artistic and historical products made of wood some of which may be of a relatively complicated form.
What are the activities of the job? Turning the round parts of carved products, for example the legs of cupboards and tables, poles, reels, etc. – carving parts of carved products which are not round, for example the legs and arms of puppets, various pedestals, boxes, etc. – manufacturing artistically-demanding objects from start to finish, for example candleholders, puppets, busts, etc. using machine cutting (especially turning and milling), manual working (for example planing, chiselling, etc.) as well as other technologies (inlay with other materials, sticking, gluing, etc.) – manufacturing samples of decorative details for art furniture and furnishings – surface, deep, and raised carvings of figurative motifs on bowls of pipes, decorating of wooden souvenirs – the rounding and polishing of carved products, – varnishing, waxing, and polishing products – repair of antique furniture – producing wooden sculptures and statues according to historical patterns – restoring and renovating historical wooden sculptures and statues – restoring and renovating period-style interiors and equipment with carvings (for example rococo commodes, period-style three-piece suites, historical doors, etc.).
Where is it done and under what conditions? Usually at a wood-carver’s studio or workshop, in a dusty environment, with sawdust, and sometimes also a noisy environment.
What tools/equipment do they use? Chisels, files, planes, graters, abrasive paper, drawing supplies, saws, wood-working machines, etc.
What do you need to succeed? You need an apprenticeship, a feeling for work with wood, aesthetic awareness, artistic sensitivity, imagination, creative ability, and patience.