DerbyDad03 wrote:

When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is
reported to have said "I start with a solid block of marble and chip
away everthing that doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to that
effect).

Maybe his technique could be employed here?

I tried making birdhouses that way but it was really hard to get my
chisels through that little hole.

Yeah, but what's art without suffering?