Vaughn and Stephanie Rawson founded The Whimsical Whittler wood carving studio in 1989 specializing in Santas, Halloween, holiday figures and other Americana inspired folk art. Known for their highly detailed work, each figure is hand carved from basswood using knives and chisels. They are painted in muted colors and finished to reflect an aged patina. Each piece is therefore a unique expression of the woodcarving art.

The Santa figures draw upon extensive research and collecting of antique books, postcards and drawings. Carvings may have as many as 17 detailed carved toys on the figure. While some of the figures are traditional in style, reflecting the artists’ interpretations of the various cultural influences on the American Christmas, others are purely whimsical in nature hoping to bring a smile to the viewer. Many are limited editions and one-of-a-kind work is available.

The Whimsical Whittler carvings have been selected numerous times for inclusion in the Early American Life’s annual directory of Best Crafts Person and Best Santas. Carvings have been featured in the Early American Life Christmas issue, Midwest Living, Better Homes and Gardens special publications and the Better Homes and Gardens Santa Claus Book 2003. Carvings were also designed, by invitation of the White House, to hang on the official White House tree.