New Chapter: Spell Panels

How to become a better engraver. And a better friend.

When I engraved the Romanian cupboard with spells, I first needed to devise a spell that stops a person from shitting their pants repeatedly.

Engraving a few sample boards is one thing. Engraving a finished piece of wood that is going on the front of a cupboard is another. I was so cautious and scared and constantly Kegeling as I engraved the cupboard’s doors that I thought I might accidentally carve the asshole symbol from Kurt Vonnegut’s “Breakfast of Champions.”

Luckily, I made it through the engraving process on the cupboard with only one flub. But I want to help readers of “The American Peasant” avoid the near panic attack I had when I began engraving. And so I am adding a chapter to the book’s Table of Contents on “Spell Panels.”

Spell Panels are just something I’ve made up. But I’m glad I did because they are a great way to practice with the engraving tools and play with different designs. A spell panel is just a 6" x 6" piece of straight-grained wood. I’ve been using basswood and…