Hello! My name is Franka, and I am currently volunteering at the Smokinya Foundation as part of the European Solidarity Corps.
I would describe myself as a hands-on person with a focus on craftsmanship. During my time here, I discovered the art of woodcarving. Over the last few weeks I got lessons from the woodcarver here in Plovdiv and have developed some basic skills.
As my project is ending soon, I wanted to create something which combines my new skills with my volunteering experience here in Plovdiv. I decided to carve the Smokinya Logo.
At first I prepared the surface to get a smooth top. Then, we used a laser to print the logo onto the wood. Next, I used a plunge router to mill everything around the logo down to the same height. Once this was complete, I began the carving process, smoothing down the fig and the inside of the leaf. I added more detail to the leaf by smoothing down the edges and creating a stem. The final step for the ornament was to add more structure to the fig and sand the whole piece down with sandpaper.
After finishing the ornament I moved on to the background and worked in some more details. I finished the carving process with finishing the frame by carving a kind of branch structure.
Finally, I applied a thin layer of oil to give it a nice finish and protect it from water and dust.
If you ever visit Plovdiv, be sure to check out the Street of Arts and Crafts in the Old Town. You will find amazing handicrafts and hand-made goods there. Many thanks to the local woodcarver, Kostadin Devedzhiev, for offering me lessons and lending me his tools to help bring my personal project to life.
This program is co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps program of the European Union.
Финансирано от Европейския съюз. Изразените възгледи и мнения обаче принадлежат изцяло на техния(ите) автор(и) и не отразяват непременно възгледите и мненията на Европейския съюз или на Европейската изпълнителна агенция за образование и култура (EACEA). За тях не носи отговорност нито Европейският съюз, нито EACEA.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
