Woodcarving Illustrated - How To Magazine for Carvers: Finding Articles

Finding Articles
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Shannon on 02/14/2010 16:54:00
 
I'm often asked where I find the articles to fill each issue of Woodcarving
Illustrated. It's actually the most exciting part of my job! Articles originate
from a variety of sources and each source provides a treasure trove of ideas.
Contests: Contests are a great way to get recognition for your work and they
produce an ample supply of new contributors. "Passing Preflight Inspection" was
Sandy Smith's entry in the last Woodcarving Illustrated Santa Carving contest.
It would be a bit ambitious to present this project as a true step-by-step
article, so the staff put on their thinking caps and came up with the idea to
focus on creating the wonderful texture Sandy used for Santa's fur trim. Be sure
to enter this year's contest (see this page)–your project could end up
featured in a future issue!
Submissions: Sometimes a great project just shows up on my desk. This was the
case with Ron Johnson's Santa pencils. Ron was inspired by the 5-Minute Wizard
which was featured in the summer 2008 issue of Woodcarving Illustrated. Ron sent
me a letter with a few samples of his carved pencils and the rest is history. If
you'd like to submit an article for possible publication, simply send me a photo
with a brief description. You can e-mail me at the address below or send a
letter to 1970 Broad St., East Petersburg, Pa 17520.
Message Board: The Woodcarving Illustrated message board,
www.WoodcarvingIllustrated.com/forum/, is a great way to connect with fellow
carvers. Technical editor Bob Duncan and I love to browse the forum and see what
readers are up to, and we often find delightfully creative ideas, such as
Forrest Holder's clothespin carvings.
Commissions: Occasionally, the staff comes up with an idea all on our own. The
reindeer featured in this issue is a perfect example. We wanted a simple holiday
project that wasn't a Santa. Don Swartz, owner of Hillcrest Carving, was
enlisted to make our vision a reality. Don and Bob worked together to complete
the article.
Shows: Carving shows are always energizing for me. I love to chat with carvers
and walk the floor scouting new ideas. When I first saw Bob Mason's evergreen
trees at the Artistry in Wood Show in Dayton, Ohio, I knew they would make a
super article. I talked with Bob, snapped a picture to share with the team back
home, and a year later we're proud to share them with you!
As this issue arrives in subscriber’s mailboxes, Bob and I are gearing up to
head out to the Artistry in Wood show once again. I can't wait to see the
awesome carvings on display. Who knows? Maybe I'll find the next new
contributor!
Shannon Flowers