The Carver
Our story starts with an idea and the skills of the Leftover Tree Artisan (LTA), who’s been carving for 14 years. For him, every project has two possible outcomes: a finished piece or firewood. (No pressure, right?) What sets LTA apart is how public his craft is—every move he makes is out in the open for anyone to see, whether they’re curious onlookers or just passing by.
LTA loves a challenge, and creating us—the Fellowship of the Grin—was definitely that. He normally avoids carving the same thing twice, but he followed a style that tied all nine of us together.
To pull it off, he followed four guidelines:
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1. No eyes—because mystery is part of our charm.
2. Everyone gets a beard—it’s the Grin way.
3. Black shoes for all—keeping it classy.
4. We all came from the same tree—
one source, one mission.
It wasn’t easy, but LTA delivered. From concept sketches to small models, blocking out the shape, and then his favorite part—adding the final details—he put his heart into every step. Not every attempt works out, but for LTA, it’s all about the process. That’s what keeps him carving: the chance to try, learn, and create something new.
And now, here we are: nine unique pieces, all connected by the same tree and the same vision. We’re so grateful that LTA took on the challenge of bringing us to life. Wherever we go, we’ll carry a piece of his passion and creativity with us.
To LTA: thanks for taking us from firewood to Fellowship!
