First carving show

[starvincarvin]

Hi
I have entered my first carving show for this Aug.
Does anyone have any tips or suggestions.

[ragiarn]

I find that entering my work in shows where it will be judged force me to be very careful with the little details. The judges will be individuals who are very experienced and besides looking at the overall effect will be judging the details of your work.
The devil is in the details.
Your friends and family will only judge you kindly on the overall effect or your work.

Entering your work to be judged is, in my opinion, the best way to improve your carving.

If you win a ribbon that is a bonus.

[chuckbolton]

first of all realize that you are asking this persons opinion-- today-- most try to be fair-- but we each have personal preferences-- so do the judges-- after the judging ask the judge to critique your work and or entries-- most will do that-- it may be that your show has an "amatuer class-- enter that-- and any and all categories you can-- it will cost very little more to enter other classes-- and y ou are there anyway- i remember one time i thru a piece in as a second thought-- only to have a piece in a class- it won the class-- based on what was there that day. dont know what it would do again. go - have fun-- look lots and go home a do it all over again.

[wildhare]

Chuckbolton, Are you saying you pay for each separate entry in a show? I have thought about entering one but if each entry costs, I may have to rethink what I do.
Wanda

[chuckbolton]

wanda-- i can speak only to the shows im familiar with-- you must have a table- which u pay for-- and then u enter each class-- it varies with the show commitee how many entries in each class-- im sure the show rules vary with each show and you should check with the one you are planning to attend. one show allows me to split a table with someone else and each of us enters 2 entries in each class- others allow on ly so many per table.

[Claude]

Originally Posted by wildhare

Chuckbolton, Are you saying you pay for each separate entry in a show? I have thought about entering one but if each entry costs, I may have to rethink what I do.
Wanda

Depends on the show, Wanda. The James River Wood Carvers show in Richmond, VA, charges $4 per entry for non-member, with a maximum of $15 total, for an example. No table charge. Some shows require you to have a table, and pay for each entry; some charge for an optional table, plus each entry, etc. You have to read the rules for each show.

Claude

[Mark N. Akers]

I would say the most important thing to remember is don't put a lot of pressure on your self,have fun doing it,this is something you want to enjoy.

[wildhare]

Thanks Claude and Mark. That is not too bad. I will email or call the shows to find out the exact cost.
Wanda

[Bill]

I remember my first carving show, a lot of anxiety. Will the the piece be good enough to compete, have I done all the the things required?
I won my first show, class. and have never looked back. You are asking for their opinion of what they think, and how your piece will be placed in the competition, some times you win sometimes you lose. Its their opinion
as Judges, but thats what your paying for. Go for it and Enjoy a show is a show, the next one can be better or worse you never know.
Bill

[starvincarvin]

Thanks for all the replys to my post.
I love this site and its great members that are so willing to share.