Hop Carver

08/29/2026

08/22/2026

I carved the front of the 4' diameter Buffalo Nickel out of Red Oak and the Back of the Buffalo Nickel out of Pine.

First minted in 1913, the iconic Buffalo Nickel was born out of President Theodore Roosevelt's push to transform America's currency into miniature works of art. Featuring a striking Native American portrait on the front and a majestic bison on the back, it became an instant classic—though a major design flaw caused its raised dates to wear completely off in everyday circulation. The beloved series ran for 25 years before being retired in 1938 to make way for the Thomas Jefferson nickel.

-Hop
Nickel Plate Music & Arts Festival
Hop Carver
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce

08/22/2026

Hop Carver
Nickel Plate Music & Arts Festival
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County

08/22/2026

At the Nickel Plate Music & Arts Festival parade lineup. Hope to see ya. Amazing America 250 here we go!

Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Hop Carver

08/15/2026

Hope to see ya next Saturday at the Nickel Plate Music & Arts Festival parade!
On my newly updated float I'll be throwing out 250 Hop Carver wooden nickels in honor of this year's theme "Amazing America 250"

-Hop
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
The Lakes Magazine - West Edition
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County

08/08/2026

"I have often thought that if the people who live in the crowded city tenements could see the wide spaces, the fresh air, and the quiet beauty of the countryside, they would never go back." (Theodore Roosevelt). Amen.

I am not a vendor in any store. I am not a store in the city. I am just a woodcarver living out in the country.

If you're in the market for a carving, reach out to me directly and I'll see what I can do. No middleman. Just straight service from the carver to you.

Here is my 4' x 8' Paul Bunyan inspired mural I painted over the summer. I'll be displaying this on my upcoming Parade Float at the Nickel Plate Music & Arts Festival in a couple of weeks.

-Hop
Hop Carver
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County

08/06/2026

I carved this 1778-1781 Rappahannock Forge Dragoon inspired saber out of Poplar, Basswood, and Birch from right here in the Hoosier state.

During the Revolutionary War, American dragoon regiments were short on weapons, so James Hunter’s forge in Virginia reverse-engineered captured British swords to arm George Washington’s cavalry. The result was a rugged, no-nonsense saber featuring a classic single-bar iron stirrup guard designed for raw shock-value mounted charges.

This one will not keel ('cuz, you know, it's made of WOOD), but my paint job sure would make someone think twice about having to get a tetanus shot.

-Hop

Hop Carver
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County

08/01/2026

I carved this 1873 C**t .45 inspired revolver out of Walnut from right here in the Hoosier state.

Adopted as the standard-issue sidearm for U.S. Army cavalry units in 1873, The Peacemaker became famous in government service with units like George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry and Theodore Roosevelt’s "Rough Riders" during the Spanish-American War. Its rugged reliability and place in wild west makes it a true American icon.

-Hop

P.S. Got a blank cut out to carve a 2nd one of these 6 shooters. To be continued...

Hop Carver
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
Fulton County Indiana America 250
Single Action Shooting Society (SASS)
Shopping Guide News of Fulton County
The Lakes Magazine - West Edition

07/31/2026

Sometimes the most important clients are children. Here is a heart puzzle magnet I carved for 2 year-old Emma from a leftover Maple slab on another important project for a man I reckon she knows quite well... Inspired by 2 butterfly species I have seen near The Hop Shop this summer--the Summer Azure and Black Swallowtail.

-Hop

P.S. Final reveal of the bigger project I carved for the man forthcoming. Can't ruin the surprise for the good fella!

P.P.S. I know you can't read this Emma, but come back next summer and you can go down the big slide and also go on the swings! Had I known your momma better I would have taken you down the slide myself but, you know, moms 😁

Hop Carver
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce
Unnecessary Extras

07/30/2026

Check out the beautiful custom order from Hop Carver…a special gift for a special couple! Hand carved and wood burnt on a gorgeous piece of Indiana maple.

Hop was a dream to work with through the idea and planning stages, and he had honest and transparent pricing.