Bruce Folkways

Bruce Folkways Bruce Folkways crafts functional folk art such as gunning decoys and traditional arrows.

Och it's been a busy, crazy season in life! I haven't had much time at the carving bench did I did finish up a little ri...
03/21/2026

Och it's been a busy, crazy season in life! I haven't had much time at the carving bench did I did finish up a little rifle rack featuring poplar, Oklahoma whitetail feet, a 3D-printed 10/22 magazine holder, and a brass plaque reading 'Providence and Patience.' If ever there was a fitting motto for the woodsman, that is it!

Oh yeah...that's not terrifying at all! It does put me in the mood to make some chips fly!
02/04/2026

Oh yeah...that's not terrifying at all! It does put me in the mood to make some chips fly!

Lots of work but lots of fun too!
01/01/2026

Lots of work but lots of fun too!

Happy New Year! Anyone working on projects already? First on my plate is a Solitary Sandpiper diorama for my wife's new ...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year! Anyone working on projects already? First on my plate is a Solitary Sandpiper diorama for my wife's new office...

Don't mind me, just laying in the muddy reeds of a local park taking glamor shots of a cork decoy..."Work it babe, you'r...
12/26/2025

Don't mind me, just laying in the muddy reeds of a local park taking glamor shots of a cork decoy..."Work it babe, you're a star!" 🦆🌠🎥

Merry Christmas from Bruce Folkways!
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from Bruce Folkways!

12/24/2025

Finally completed! This high head king Canvasback was carved to commemorate the first drake harvested by a relative. This bird is stabilized and sealed low density cork with a baseboard added for durability. It was given an antique wash and textured by two methods to emphasize the vintage look. Although it appears as if it could be 100 years old it will nonetheless ride the water high and withstand errant shot if necessary. This bird reflects my standard product now, albeit in an XL Magnum size. If you'd like to commission a similar work please email me at [email protected]!

Today's word of the day: vermiculation.The online Etymology dictionary tells us the word is from the 1610s: "fact of bei...
12/21/2025

Today's word of the day: vermiculation.

The online Etymology dictionary tells us the word is from the 1610s: "fact of being worm-eaten or infested with worms," from Latin vermiculationem (nominative vermiculatio), "a being worm-eaten" (of plants). Today we use it to describe patterns with worm-like tracks, such as that on the Canvasback's back.

In this case I am going to use a short section of a comb to apply these wavy lines, having first painted black and dried thoroughly. I will then paint over a light gray and drag the comb through with a slight wavy motion.

I typically use a fast drying medium like Galkyd to improve tube oil flow and drying times. However, since it is imperative that the ridges within the vermiculation do not collapse I am instead creating a 'short' paint by wicking away the oils from the paint by placing it first on corrugated cardboard. This gives me enough time to drink coffee and eat a couple Christmas cookies...an essential part of decoy carving!

I will likely do
12/20/2025

I will likely do

Another crab pot decoy, this one an early Canvasback drake of mine. This block isn't as refined as my current work but i...
12/20/2025

Another crab pot decoy, this one an early Canvasback drake of mine. This block isn't as refined as my current work but it does have a gunning charm that appeals to us nostalgic for the days of waxed canvas and paper shells.

If'n I had more time (ha!) I might also add nuisance beaver control to my list of services. Water sets for beaver are a ...
12/20/2025

If'n I had more time (ha!) I might also add nuisance beaver control to my list of services. Water sets for beaver are a complete art unto themselves and I would contend that no North American animal provides a better combination of delicious fare and luxurious fur. They are absolutely one of my favorites. I learned this folkway from my father who when I was in the 2nd grade was unexpectedly terminated from a long-held job. He made ends meet by trapping beaver and cutting firewood until he found another steady gig. That's the sort of character and competency I aspire to!

Anyone else have an identity crisis every fall? I often can't decide whether to be on the water or in the woods. In this...
12/20/2025

Anyone else have an identity crisis every fall? I often can't decide whether to be on the water or in the woods. In this case I opted to climb a pecan tree with a svelte longbow and a handful of Lodgepole pine arrows that I built. These beauties are much more durable than cedar and highly functional with high visibility shield cut feathers and a screw-in point adapter that not only increases versatility but also 'front of center' making them pe*****te extremely well. This is my personal favorite arrow setup with snap nocks and a razor sharp two blade broadhead.

Address

Mustang, OK

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bruce Folkways posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bruce Folkways:

Shortcuts

Share

Category