Carving for a Smile

[meipo]

"SMile Train" is a charitable organization that offers free surgical procedures to children in developing countries who are born with cleft lips. I read this story about a teenage girl sewing and selling tissue holders to help pay for the operations. I was inspired and have started carving various ornaments so that, hopefully, by Christmas time, I will have enough to put together a sale to raise money.

Does anybody have experience of this sort to share? Any advice on how best to do it? I am thinking about some ready to sell and offer some "custom" options and charge more.

Here are some very little ones I made.

Bouncing S meipo

[Irishman]

I am somewhat new to the carving scene with just over a year under my belt but there are a number on here with vast experience that should have some suggestions. Like your idea, and your carvings should be popular. Try and promote collecting...in otherwords, have some of your carvings that have several in a set. People, expecially young folks, like to collect things. Good luck.
Patrick

[Terry Vance]

The carving club I belong to used to carve ornaments, decorate a Christmas tree (about 4'), and then raffle it off. Sold tickets for a buck each or 6 for 5 dollars. We always had good luck with that. Quit when the membership fell off.

[meipo]

Patrick and Terry,

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement. In order to have a decent selection to make an attractive display for sale, I figured I'll have to carve almost one ornament per week on average. It's quite a bit of work. Unfortunately, I do not have any carver buddies nearby, and I do not belong to any carving club here. It's mostly because I cannot find any!

Anyways, I'll keep working on it. I sure will include the well known Santa ornament that Rick taught us to do. I have also designed a simple snowman this last year. My inlaws really liked it. I think I can use that for variations. I just need more ideas and time to carve . . .

meipo

[whitecree]

You carved a penny? Wow!



And we all need more time for carving...