Sucellos and Nantosuelta Deluâs (Idol)
This is a very simple way to make yourself some Deluâs (Idol)
This method is very simple and takes minimal skill & tools. It’s a very basic and easily attainable way of – making Deluâs. It helps one to understand the basic skills of carving wood.
As we see the most beautiful things, a lot of the time, we get inspired to make those things. However, sometimes we end up attempting the making of them, but not getting the vision just right. It can get us down, and that’s not cool! This way can help you get the vision you are aiming for. In the end, it helps to inspire you, and you can build confidence in your skills.
You will do a basic relief cut with one layer on a circular piece of wood. This can help you understand how a 3-dimensional version works and looks.
This is an intimate moment that you will have with the dêuos and dêuâ. You may feel you are getting in tune with your connection with them. This is a sacred act and a magical moment. Before you begin, make sure you trust your intuition when visualizing them. So that you can create an accurate representation. For me, nothing brings one closer than to create with the gods and for the gods.
The Materials and Saftey
Dowel Rod -1 Inch oak dowel rode or any wood and size you choose.
Image – You can draw on an image or trace it. It matters not. The simpler the image – the simpler the crafting will be. You can always get more artistic once u get the basics,
Sandpaper – 220 or so grit
A carving knife – One that is super sharp and thin. Be sure that it never touches stone! Only leather for stropping/Sharpening.
There are many options for carving knives. You can use any knife – as long as it’s sharp and resharpened after every use. Be careful! Sharpening knives is an art in its own right.
Saw – A small hand saw will work just great to cut the length you would like to have.
Paint or wood stain.
*If paint, I would use Acrylic and water it down a little.
There are many finishes, and I use Beeswax.
Optional Tools
Wood burner – Can be used instead of drawing or tracing it on. It gives a nice look and separates the grain for when/if you paint or stain so that it does not bleed into areas you don’t want.
Dremel – To help in the quicker removal of material *with a sanding bit.
Safety First
Cut-resistance gloves or any gloves that you can work in
Safety glasses
Always cut away from yourself and ensure your space is clean and you can move around freely.
There are links at the bottom of the page to find quality tools, as cheap tools may not be safe.
Step 1
Using the sandpaper, sand till smooth. Always remember to sand going with the grain. Otherwise, you will scratch grooves that are hard to remove/fix on the wood. In this case, the grain goes lengthwise up and down along the piece.
Step 2
Draw or trace your image onto the wood. For this example, I used a pen.
Step 3
Pushing moderately hard, score the outside of your image with a knife. Go around it a couple of times to make it a deep score. This is to break the grain, so you have a stopping point to carve, so you don’t carve into places you don’t want.
Step 4
Now you can remove all the wood to the scoreline you created in step 3. Try to lift up when you carve cut in and angle as you angle up. If you try to cut in at the angle, you might go the whole length of the piece, and it will follow the grain, which could take a big chunk out of your piece! When you get down to that scoreline, you might see that you want it deeper – so score it again till you get the desired look.
Step 5
This is what it will look like when you are done carving. Extend the lines by drawing over to the ridge of your carving. You can also sand the edge, so it is a little rounded before doing so. Also, sand what you carved out and make it somewhat smooth.
Step 6
I used a wood burner to trace over my lines to give them a nice effect, or you can paint the lines.
Step 7
This is the final step – to paint/stain it. Sealing it by adding a coat of varnish/poly, I used beeswax. *I take the wax and heat it up lightly, using a cloth – rub it on in a circular motion till smooth.
You are done!
The most important part of this is to have fun creating something. Feel proud and have a sense of accomplishment in what you have done. The more you do it, the better you will get. Keep in mind the mistakes you make are the most important things – as they help us to understand what we are doing. So don’t get mad or upset. The mistakes are made – why make it worse with your attitude towards it? Learn from them; that means the world. You will notice in creating – there is always the theme of Rebirth, Death, and Renewal. As we create, we help build ourselves, and that helps us to inspire one another in all that we do.
May the Dêuos and Auenâ srourâ be with you
Some Tools
These are the tools and supplies I recommend.
I offer you two files below of the above images to download.
Next will be a more advanced way of making Deluâs.
The Carnutian Nemeton 
