The Yam Yankee & Other Veggie Carving Projects

For the veteran carver or the newest devotee of the hobby, carving vegetables can be educational, fun, and surprising. We're not talking pumpkins here, but real carving, using woodcarving tools and techniques. Instead of wood, though, Tom uses sweet potatoes, which are firm enough to take the knife, and inexpensive enough to take a mistake or two. That makes them the perfect medium for new carvers or for experienced carvers learning new techniques. And there is more!!! As the vegetables dry and wizen, they take on wrinkles and twists that give them truly surprising and delightful character. Like woodcarvings, carved vegetables become a permanent artistic expression.
Tom Wolfe came upon sweet potatoes when a teacher asked for an alternative to soap for her young carving students. Now Tom becomes the teacher, taking the reader step-by-step through the carving of three projects. A gallery of finished works is included, some in both their freshly carved and wizened states. This is the perfect introduction to the great and fun art of woodcarving.