My name is Paul Monaco. I am a self-taught woodcarver and have been carving for over 15 years. I like any type of wood to work with but I prefer to use basswood to carve. I usually hand carve with knives and gouges and power carve with my Dremel. I sometimes use a scroll saw and just started to learn how to use a woodburner. I like to try other types of media as well. I have tried cottonwood bark, golf balls, smoking pipes, walking sticks, dried gourds, and cypress knees. I am always on the lookout for free wood or sticks. When people give me some wood they found I usually carve them something and give it back to them. I like to carve Woodspirits, Christmas ornaments (Santas and Snowmen), Celtic Love Spoons and Walking Sticks, I get a lot of ideas from Woodcarving Illustrated magazine, Woodcarving Shows, Art Shows and the Internet. Where ever I live, I try to find a woodcarving club nearby. Everyone I meet there is willing to give me advice, ideas, and NOW I am addicted to making CBG .  So far I have made 2 Cigar Box Guitars, 1 Wine Box Bass guitar, and 2 Canjos.  I have a friend that has a small local winery and he gave me some wine bottles so I can make some glass slides. I guess my woodcarving will have to take a back burner for now.  I want to thank all the participants of Cigar Box Nation for their advice and ideas.

You can check out some of my woodcarvings and other items at: Whittlers World on Facebook