See Olive Wood carvers at work in the Bethlehem district. http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/110-1053IMG/110982301_Qi5wE-Ti.jpg http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/gallery/2141479_VCwj4/ 2006-11-17T03:26:57Z Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. SmugMug <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />The olive tree, an integral part of the Palestinian economy, is abundant in the West Bank. Here are trees in the village of Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district), the home of most of today's oli ...</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110982301_Qi5wE" title="The olive tree, an integral part of the Palestinian economy, is abundant in the West Bank. Here are trees in the village of Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district), the home of most of today's oli ..."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/110-1053IMG/110982301_Qi5wE-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="The olive tree, an integral part of the Palestinian economy, is abundant in the West Bank. Here are trees in the village of Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district), the home of most of today's oli ..." title="The olive tree, an integral part of the Palestinian economy, is abundant in the West Bank. Here are trees in the village of Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district), the home of most of today's oli ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:17:28Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/110-1053IMG/110982301_Qi5wE-Th.jpg 2003-01-07 09:03:49 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Olive trees are cared for lovingly, and branches are selectively cut for carving. Here is a pile of uncarved olive wood, stacked to dry.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78524522_RfiYd" title="Olive trees are cared for lovingly, and branches are selectively cut for carving. Here is a pile of uncarved olive wood, stacked to dry."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0992IMG/78524522_RfiYd-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="Olive trees are cared for lovingly, and branches are selectively cut for carving. Here is a pile of uncarved olive wood, stacked to dry." title="Olive trees are cared for lovingly, and branches are selectively cut for carving. Here is a pile of uncarved olive wood, stacked to dry." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T19:53:29Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0992IMG/78524522_RfiYd-Th.jpg 2003-01-06 08:14:47 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />The olive wood is cut into pieces appropriate for the size of the item to be carved. Here are olive wood pieces for making crosses.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110957572_jRS6H" title="The olive wood is cut into pieces appropriate for the size of the item to be carved. Here are olive wood pieces for making crosses."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4096/110957572_jRS6H-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="The olive wood is cut into pieces appropriate for the size of the item to be carved. Here are olive wood pieces for making crosses." title="The olive wood is cut into pieces appropriate for the size of the item to be carved. Here are olive wood pieces for making crosses." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-11T13:37:00Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4096/110957572_jRS6H-Th.jpg 2005-01-28 12:09:02 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />This is the size of olive wood required for a Holy Family.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110957691_2wita" title="This is the size of olive wood required for a Holy Family."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4104/110957691_2wita-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="This is the size of olive wood required for a Holy Family." title="This is the size of olive wood required for a Holy Family." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:19:55Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4104/110957691_2wita-Th.jpg 2005-01-28 12:14:19 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Every item made of olive wood is unique because of the beautiful grain of the tree.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110957801_Xd3aD" title="Every item made of olive wood is unique because of the beautiful grain of the tree."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4101/110957801_Xd3aD-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="Every item made of olive wood is unique because of the beautiful grain of the tree." title="Every item made of olive wood is unique because of the beautiful grain of the tree." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:21:01Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4101/110957801_Xd3aD-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />It is thought that monks brought the art of olive wood carving to local Bethlehem residents in the 4th century. Today, in Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district) there are several small family-run ...</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110961028_nfy6J" title="It is thought that monks brought the art of olive wood carving to local Bethlehem residents in the 4th century. Today, in Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district) there are several small family-run ..."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-326/110961028_nfy6J-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="It is thought that monks brought the art of olive wood carving to local Bethlehem residents in the 4th century. Today, in Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district) there are several small family-run ..." title="It is thought that monks brought the art of olive wood carving to local Bethlehem residents in the 4th century. Today, in Beit Sahour (Bethlehem district) there are several small family-run ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:19:28Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-326/110961028_nfy6J-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 05:29:08 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Rough cutting is done on machines programmed with the master design model.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78525160_kE2MP" title="Rough cutting is done on machines programmed with the master design model."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-318/78525160_kE2MP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Rough cutting is done on machines programmed with the master design model." title="Rough cutting is done on machines programmed with the master design model." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T20:09:22Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-318/78525160_kE2MP-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 05:20:04 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />A candlestick crafted by a master carver is used in this machine to program the cutting.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110959807_UZAXP" title="A candlestick crafted by a master carver is used in this machine to program the cutting."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-228/110959807_UZAXP-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="A candlestick crafted by a master carver is used in this machine to program the cutting." title="A candlestick crafted by a master carver is used in this machine to program the cutting." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:19:53Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-228/110959807_UZAXP-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 08:07:13 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />The result is a rough candlestick, ready for sanding, putting on a base, and finishing.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110960010_Nxhou" title="The result is a rough candlestick, ready for sanding, putting on a base, and finishing."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-231/110960010_Nxhou-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="The result is a rough candlestick, ready for sanding, putting on a base, and finishing." title="The result is a rough candlestick, ready for sanding, putting on a base, and finishing." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:23:39Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-231/110960010_Nxhou-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 08:08:16 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Over one thousand different gift items are made from olive wood.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78524706_N6VGJ" title="Over one thousand different gift items are made from olive wood."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0989IMG/78524706_N6VGJ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Over one thousand different gift items are made from olive wood." title="Over one thousand different gift items are made from olive wood." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T20:11:49Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0989IMG/78524706_N6VGJ-Th.jpg 2003-01-06 08:13:29 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />The finest work incorporating facial expressions and intricate details, must be chiseled by hand.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110961371_zRFCo" title="The finest work incorporating facial expressions and intricate details, must be chiseled by hand."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-327/110961371_zRFCo-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="The finest work incorporating facial expressions and intricate details, must be chiseled by hand." title="The finest work incorporating facial expressions and intricate details, must be chiseled by hand." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-11T13:55:30Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-327/110961371_zRFCo-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 05:30:02 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a> </p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78525148_FhgYu" title="folkartmavens' photo"><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-329/78525148_FhgYu-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="folkartmavens' photo" title="folkartmavens' photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T20:21:51Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-329/78525148_FhgYu-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 05:30:21 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Some items, such as Noah's Ark, require large pieces of olive wood and a great deal of detailed carving.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110958753_TWwjd" title="Some items, such as Noah's Ark, require large pieces of olive wood and a great deal of detailed carving."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0985IMG/110958753_TWwjd-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Some items, such as Noah's Ark, require large pieces of olive wood and a great deal of detailed carving." title="Some items, such as Noah's Ark, require large pieces of olive wood and a great deal of detailed carving." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:23:08Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0985IMG/110958753_TWwjd-Th.jpg 2003-01-06 08:12:10 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />At the Tamer factory in Beit Sahur, a pattern is stamped for carving Christmas ornaments.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78524842_cYMvq" title="At the Tamer factory in Beit Sahur, a pattern is stamped for carving Christmas ornaments."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-136/78524842_cYMvq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="At the Tamer factory in Beit Sahur, a pattern is stamped for carving Christmas ornaments." title="At the Tamer factory in Beit Sahur, a pattern is stamped for carving Christmas ornaments." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T19:49:12Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-136/78524842_cYMvq-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 04:30:18 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />Then the ornament must be cut from olive wood.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78524985_beRGP" title="Then the ornament must be cut from olive wood."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-141/78524985_beRGP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="Then the ornament must be cut from olive wood." title="Then the ornament must be cut from olive wood." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T20:04:42Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-141/78524985_beRGP-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 04:32:01 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a> </p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110980316_33htj" title="folkartmavens' photo"><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-295/110980316_33htj-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="folkartmavens' photo" title="folkartmavens' photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-11T13:54:19Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/temporary-295/110980316_33htj-Th.jpg 2004-01-20 04:33:59 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />After sanding, the items are preserved and glossed in two different ways. They may be machine buffed with homemade clothes permeated with beeswax, or treated with a special shellac and set ...</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#110956005_XL9fg" title="After sanding, the items are preserved and glossed in two different ways. They may be machine buffed with homemade clothes permeated with beeswax, or treated with a special shellac and set ..."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4105/110956005_XL9fg-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="After sanding, the items are preserved and glossed in two different ways. They may be machine buffed with homemade clothes permeated with beeswax, or treated with a special shellac and set ..." title="After sanding, the items are preserved and glossed in two different ways. They may be machine buffed with homemade clothes permeated with beeswax, or treated with a special shellac and set ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:21:57Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/IMG4105/110956005_XL9fg-Th.jpg 2005-01-28 12:16:39 <p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com">folkartmavens</a><br />The finished carvings are very refined.</p><p><a href="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/2141479_VCwj4#78524694_pBxzV" title="The finished carvings are very refined."><img src="http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0999IMG/78524694_pBxzV-Th.jpg" width="150" height="113" alt="The finished carvings are very refined." title="The finished carvings are very refined." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-09T19:55:09Z folkartmavens http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com http://folkartmavens.smugmug.com/Other/Olive-Wood-Carving/109-0999IMG/78524694_pBxzV-Th.jpg 2003-01-06 08:19:36