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Description
The NC State Fair is underway, and here's my submission to this year's Craft Competition. This was a HUGE experiment for me, since I've never tried to carve anything architectural before. It might have been easier if I'd actually come up with a plan first, but I think my method of Start From The Top And Make It Up As You Go made for some nice results.

The castle was carved from a cypress knee, bought for me as a Christmas present by the incomparable . Cypress knees are interesting to carve. If the wood was any softer it would be like styrofoam. Anyone wanting to give this a try would be advised to use VERY SHARP knives if they don't want to break the wood off in chunks. Also, be careful when sanding; a little too much enthusiasm can turn a wall of carefully carved bricks back into a blank surface. As I found.

Edit: Woot! Third Place ribbon!

Edit the second: now with animation! [link]

Description
The NC State Fair is underway, and here's my submission to this year's Craft Competition. This was a HUGE experiment for me, since I've never tried to carve anything architectural before. It might have been easier if I'd actually come up with a plan first, but I think my method of Start From The Top And Make It Up As You Go made for some nice results.

The castle was carved from a cypress knee, bought for me as a Christmas present by the incomparable . Cypress knees are interesting to carve. If the wood was any softer it would be like styrofoam. Anyone wanting to give this a try would be advised to use VERY SHARP knives if they don't want to break the wood off in chunks. Also, be careful when sanding; a little too much enthusiasm can turn a wall of carefully carved bricks back into a blank surface. As I found.

Edit: Woot! Third Place ribbon!

Edit the second: now with animation! [link]