I’ve been commissioned to create two hand carved church pews. The first pew is based on the scripture, “by His stripes we are healed”. The second will be designed around, “come boldly unto the throne of grace”. Both will be four feet long and feature custom hand carved wood with glass mosaics.

Consider a custom pew such as this as a gift to your church or as a way to honor a member through a memorial fund.

Keep reading to see the in progress photos as I work through these pews. Click to view the in progress photos and more!



Most recent image: (3/29/15) – COMPLETE! After all of the carving, all of the glass cutting, the wiring and other final touches – the pew is back together and looking great!

From the beginning: Here’s a shot of the pews that I will be working from – I’ll start by dismantling one and cutting it down to size. Then I’ll carve and build a light-box for the back and add the glass mosaic behind the carving. I LOVE the arms on these pews! I need to find something cool to put in the ovals.

Here is a link to my previous hand carved church pew.

Ok, it’s been a little while since my last update, but now my Christmas light show is running!

I have the pews (yes 2 pews!) apart and am finishing up the sanding to get the existing stain removed. Once this is done, I can finally start carving!

I’m finally at the point that I can start carving!! I’m starting with the sides in the oval area. The client requested a feather with an eye in it. So after some design work, I sketched it out and have one side complete, and the other side ready to go!

Click for a larger image below

More images to come soon as I start carving away! 😀

For the second pew, I’m carving crosses into the sides. I have one side done now!

I have finished carving, added dark brown grain filler and did a final sanding on all of the arms, they are now ready for glass. I will be signing these carvings with copper wire embedded in the glass. The white paint is to help enhance the glass colors.

Click for larger images:

More carving the past couple of days! I have finished carving the ends and added the glass borders and am (somewhat) patiently waiting for them to set completely. I am working on the stain and clear coats to get the ends completed before I move on to the rest of the pews.

I’ve also completed the first scripture for the seat of one of the pews.

And now the ends are complete! Click the images below for a closer look!

And now I’ve started carving the back of one of the pews. The open area will be filled with a translucent glass mosaic.

And a little more carving… a little more sanding… Still need to add the final details, but it’s coming together!

And now the second hand is almost done, and I’ve added some more detail to the robes. It’s starting to come together! 😀

Closer view of the robe detail.

And now I can start working on the head area.

And now I’m carving the face. It’s a bit of a challenge, but it’s coming along nicely.

Light at the end of the tunnel! Almost done with the face and hair.

And now the face is about done! I’ll give a final look and make any changes that are needed before moving on to the next pew.

After all of the carving, I just need to add the stigmata holes in His hands and this pew will be done (well, the carving part anyways!).

And now the staining on the first pew is complete, I’ve put the pieces back together. I’ll wait to do the glass until both pews are ready.

And now work begins on the glass mosaic that sits behind the carving.

With more of the glass completed, here is a mockup showing how it might look in the pew:

… and more little pieces of glass get added to the mosaic…

The glass is so close to being finished now – I can’t wait to see it all together!

With the glass done, I can relax for a moment. 😀 Here is a Photoshop mockup of how the pew will look:

