Club Library
The club maintains a a complete library of books for carvers. Books are available at our meeting place on Folsom Blvd. and at Shirley’s shop. These books demonstrate a wide array of carving topics such as caricature carving, chip carving, relief carving, bird and wildlife carving techniques and photos. Demonstration videos are also available.
Tips for New Carvers
This resource compiled by CWA members can serve as guide for those just getting started and a reference for more experienced carvers.
- Carving woods
- Types of carving
- Carving tools
- Basic cuts
- Sharpening
- Finishing
- Books
- Web sites
Knife Safety
Safety is a major concern in carving. The sharper the tools, the easier and more effective is the carving, but sharp tool can be dangerous. Here is a resource compiled by Ed Santarosa and Andy Hiroshima that will help you carve safely.
Member mentoring and help
Our members are also an outstanding resource. Many of them have decades of carving experience, and generously offer guidance for all new members. They can instruct new members on carving safety, carving techniques, sharpening techniques, and they can recommend what types of tools you should have to fit your needs.
There are also tools and safety gloves available for loan at both places, so that you can come and try out some carving before committing yourself.
Our club also has a large variety of quality used tools available to buy at discount prices. Please let us know if you are interested in purchasing some of our used tools.
Our club maintains a supply of used tools that are made available to our members. Most of these tools have been donated by former members, Hand tools, mainly knives and gouges, are available at regular meetings. Larger power tool typically are offered as either silent auction or Country Store items at our annual show.
Wood and Tool suppliers
Randy Moore of Moore’s Hardwoods is a regular exhibitor at our Show. His selection of wood and roughouts is always of great interest to our members.
Woodcraft is a source of new tools, hand tools and power tools of various sizes. They also sell a variety of woods. CWA holds its regular meetings at the Sacramento Woodcraft store.
Rockler is also a source for tools, books and wood in the Roseville, Rocklin area.
Wood Carving Clubs
Tri-Valley Wood Carvers – CCG Chapter 5, Pleasanton / Livermore area
Santa Clara Valley Carvers — promoting woodcarving by sharing techniques among beginners and experienced carvers in San Francisco Bay Area
California Carvers Guild – Locations of all California Carvers Guild Chapters
Sonoma County Woodcarvers – CCG Chapter 17, Sebastopol, CA
READ N TRY – chip carving patterns. A personal website maintained by club member Roman Chernikov.
Magazine Subscriptions
Woodcarving Illustrated Magazine – Fox Chapel Publishing. Woodcarving Illustrated magazine is published quarterly for both subscribers and newsstand readers. The editorial team passionately searches for and features interesting and creative carvers, projects, and techniques.
Chip Chats Magazine – the National Wood Carvers Association. NWCA’s promotes woodcarving and fellowship among its members, encourage exhibitions and area get-togethers, list tool and wood suppliers — in short, anything that aids the carver and/or whittler.
International Association of Woodcarvers — lots of video demonstrations and other resources
Caricature Carvers of America (CCA) promotes caricature carving throughout America, There is a national show annually in September in Colorado Springs, CO, CWA member Andy Hiroshima was awarded second best of show at Colorado Springs in 2022.Visit their Website to see many great caricature carvings. CWA member Joe You is the current president of CCA. One of his carvings is shown here. CWA member Bob Travis is a founding member of CCA.
Capital Woodcarvers Association 
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