Maverick Carving |

Maverick Jaillet, Resident Power Carving Instructor at Camelot’s Woodworking Studio, has worked in just about every trade that works with wood – from form work to finish. His passion for woodworking goes beyond his everyday job. In his free time, he enjoys creating unique projects at his home. He’s made a name for himself...
FALL 2016 CLASSES Saturday, October 8 – WOODEN CUP CARVING CLASS DESCRIPTION: Power Carve a Wooden Cup with Master Carver Maverick Jaillet. We’ll start with a humble log and sculpt it into a functional, one-of-a-kind cup. Maverick will instruct you on shop safety, wood selection and carving techniques, as well as...
The philosopher Alexandre Kojeve writes: “The man who works, recognizes his own product in the world, that has actually been transformed by his work: He recognizes himself in it, he sees his own human reality. In it, he discovers and reveals to others the objective reality of his humanity, of the originally abstract and purely...

You will find that power carving is a release and window to art and nature. Rescuing a piece of wood, bound for the dump or fireplace, and creating a lasting memory or gift, is very rewarding. The effects of your work will be visible for all to see. It has a social currency.

Meet Maverick Jaillet, Power Carving Instructor

maverick-jaillet Maverick Jaillet, Resident Power Carving Instructor at Camelot’s Woodworking Studio, has worked in just about every trade that works with wood – from form work to finish. His passion for woodworking goes beyond his everyday job. In his free time, he enjoys creating unique projects at his home. He’s made a name for himself around town–fellow friends and strangers donate scrap materials to Maverick’s projects all the time!

Maverick is a colorful character who thrives off adventure, and in 1978 he moved to Alaska, residing there for 30 years. While living there, he became a purchasing agent for the biggest lumber company in Alaska. It was in Alaska that Maverick became interested in wood carving.

In 2009, Maverick moved back to his home town of Tallahassee, Florida. Shortly after, Arthur Aveling, CEO of King Arthur’s Tools, envisioned turning an empty loft upstairs into a functional studio. By this time he had learned enough about Maverick’s talents that he contracted Maverick to repurpose the loft into Camelot’s Woodworking Studio. During the project, Maverick became so involved with KAT’s that Arthur jokes, “he became part of the furniture.”

Maverick regularly holds classes and demonstrations as the Resident Instructor at Camelot’s Woodworking Studio. Maverick has since taught and demonstrated all over the U.S., including the San Diego Woodturners and McDaniel College’s Common Ground On the Hill program.

From Maverick: I rarely purchase wood to use for carving. Finding and selecting the wood to carve is part of the fun of power carving. It’s like a little hunting trip… I have found wood in the yard, in piles destined to be burned, or sent to the dump. Finding the local sawmills and getting to know the owner or operator is a great way to get the best wood, and can be fun and interesting. You often get great information and a history lesson as well! I keep an eye out all the time for interesting logs or burls, no matter where I go. People often bring me logs or limbs from trees that their father or grandfather planted many years ago, that had to be removed or succumbed to nature. Making a bowl, spoon or sculpture from the wood from an “heirloom” tree, preserves the memories of the tree, from planting to harvest, creating an heirloom and functional piece for all to enjoy in their home for many years to come.

Some of Maverick’s carved pieces using found wood:

Oak bowl from an oak that was struck by lightning at a local golf course. The weight of the bowl is 15.6 lbs!

Oak burl, rescued from the trash. 12″ deep and 18″ in diameter.

Poplar bowl from a tree that fell in a friend’s yard.

Walnut bowl from a tree that my neighbor’s grandfather planted.