How to Embellish a Wooden Cross
- 1). Trace the outline of your cross on a sheet of paper, then work out the design you want to transfer to your cross. A large cross could display the stations of the cross on its arms. The images of a lion, an ox, an eagle and a man could represent the four gospels. Celtic knots and braids could be used to create an Irish- or Scottish-style cross.
- 2). Copy the image by hand directly onto the wood, or place a sheet of carbon paper between your picture and the wooden cross and trace the image, pressing hard enough to transfer the carbon.
- 3). Clamp your cross firmly to your work table. Wrap it in a cloth where the clamp will grip so you don't accidentally mark it.
- 4). Hold the tip of the chisel to a spot where you want to deepen the wood's face. Tap gently but firmly on the end of the chisel with your hammer. If you're not sure which chisel is the best for your cross, start small and go up to a larger size only if needed to deepen large areas of wood.
- 5). Use a wood gouge to create the smaller details of your design, such as the individual cords of a Celtic braid or the face on a biblical figure. Set the tip at the point where you want your design to begin and "scoop" away the wood like using a miniature shovel until your design begins to look right. For hard spots, tap the gouge lightly with a mallet or hammer.
- 6). Sand all the edges and sides of your cross once you've carved out your design. Run your hands carefully over the cross to make sure all the splinters are gone.
- 7). Apply several coats of wood stain to your carved cross. Let dry for at least an hour and sand lightly between coats.