[Anda G]

I joined a while back and I am finally able to order the beginner set from little shavers and some wood from Itasca.

I will be mailing my orders tomorrow. I wonder how long they will take? More time.

Andagail

[squbrigg]

Congratulations. Rick and Theresa are very quick to fill orders and you will have no complaint about their tools. They come sharp and ready to use, right out of the box.

In the meantime, you can be checking out books and magazines for tips on carving and for inspiration of what to carve. Your local library may have some books, and if you live in Canada, the library system allows you to order just about any book you can think of and it will be sent to your library from another library anywhere in the country, so you can borrow it. The inter-library loan system is a great benefit and saves you tons of money. You can pre-view a book before you deciede to order it, to see if it is what you want.

Good luck on your start into the wonderful world of woodcarving.

Bob

[Anda G]

Thanks, Bob! I am starting to get excited.

I ordered one half-price board along with the box of small pieces so I can get started. I wonder if I should just order the half-price pieces to practice on, or does it matter?

Do you know of another place to get OK/cheap/good wood for practice?

My library here in Florida has an interlibrary loan system, too. I will see which books I might borrow. Thank you. I bought a couple of magazines recently. There is one article on carving a face that is interesting.

My ultimate goal is to carve a portrait head. I guess it is called a bust? I don't know. I will show my progress on here as I learn.

Andagail

[Micky]

Won't take too long. I received my beginner set from Little Shavers in no time at all and it has been one of my greates woodcarving investments.
carving
micky

[Irishman]

Anda, you can get cheap wood almost anywhere's. I've been carving for two years and only recently purchased a piece of basswood. If your practicing, small hard wood logs work just fine and you can work around the log experimenting with different faces. Green logs are good and easier to move your tools through.
If your getting palm tools, that's another thing. Try a local lumber yard and see if they will give you the discarded ends. Tell them its for a class project for some students and you'll get all kinds.
Patrick

[squbrigg]

There are two books I recommend for ever new carver: Chris Pye's , "Elements of Wood Carving" and Richard Butz, "How To Carve Wood". These two standards in wood carving cover just about every aspect to get you started.

As for practice wood, ....... Irishman, Andagail is in Florida, not here in the North Woods of Canada, so wood probably isn't as plentyful. Here, we just walk out to the back yard and pick up what we need, well , almost! Pine is plentiful, even in Florida, I imagine, so go to a building supply store and pick up some Select Grade Pine and practice with that to start. When you get the sharp end of a gouge figured out some, get some Basswood and give that a try. You can order Basswood online at reasonable prices. Just about any species of North American wood can be carved, just some are easier than others. Stick with Pine, Basswood, Butternut, Walnut, Cherry to begin with, you wouldn't need a mallet with most of those, just your Little Shavers kit. Maple, Beech, Ash, Oak will require heavier tools.

Practice, practice, practice, and most importantly, have fun!

Bob

[Anda G]

I mailed off my order last Wednesday to Little Shavers and it is already here! One week! I still need to go get it from the post office tomorrow. I didn't think it would be that fast, Micky.

Patrick, I will do that. I don't know if it'll be free, though.

Bob, I took a peek at your boats. Wow. So detailed. Is the wood labeled "select grade pine?" I will look for the ones you mentioned. Thanks a lot.



Andagail

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

The Itasca half price/overstock/small piece lots are about as cheap as your going to get good N. Basswood. The price of shipping is right also. Ya did good.