[sjm1027]

I am Steve, 51 from Massachusetts. Have always been interested in carving wood but never did to much with t. This week I met a man Frank J. Adamo at a Cape Cod Craft fair. Please check out his work http://www.capecarver.com
The birds are fantastic... blew me away. So I wanted this wren he made but it sold just before I got there.. in is web page look at the Hawk... Looks so real. So anyway... His work inspired me to look into Wood carving and that is why I am here, to finally learn about carving. Thanks to Eddie I read something he wrote in a thread Observing a carver "you're never too old to learn something new" I read that and now I am on my way to learn this craft at the age of 51.
Hope to make some good friends here as well as learning some great things.

Steve

[AlArchie]

Welcome aboard, Steve! Glad to have you here, and feel free to ask questions and join in the discussions.

Al

[woodtrapper]

Hello Steve,all I can tell you is just start digging into it.I have been carving for two years and I try to carve about two hours a night.I am a woodspirit guy and love the look.Sometimes I print off pictures from WCI so I can get a little insight on nose,mouth etc.I have books from Jeff Phares which are very helpful.Just start knocking those chisels around a bit and you will have your own style.

[GeorgiaCarver]

Steve, welcome to the forum! I look forward to seeing your post and I hope to be able to share ideas both ways

Greg

[Graywolf71]

Steve not only are you never too old to learn but you'll never stop learning once the carving bug bits you.
I've been carving off and on, more off, for years. But in the last 5 years i've really put the blade to wood so to speak. Thanks to the friendly folks here at WCI and their wonderful magazine i've learned more than i could have on my own, heck before i found this site i didn't even know there were groups for my affliction (carvingitise).

Woodspirits are a good place to start for i feel they're one of the easiest to learn your basic cuts on and you can do them with the basic tools or just a pocket knife. But where ever you start, don't give up if it doesn't look like you'd expect or like to ones pros do, learn from your mistakes and do better next time. I can't count the number of times i've screwed up a carving but i kept it as a teaching aid of what NOT to do.

Next, get safty gloves. DO NOT SCRIMP ON THESE! Don't be like some of us who think they won't get cut if they know what their doing, you guys know who you are, HECK i'm one of them i know the doctors at the ER by first name.
Steve just don't forget that your safety should be number one, but have fun and carve carve carve.

Michael Gray

[Mottles]

Hi Steve, welcome
Kathy

[Joy]

Welcome Steve, I didn't start carving till in my 60's.....never too late. Just do it!

[Big D]

Hey Steve!

If I make it to the 16th of September I will be 44. I am just taking up woodcarving. Been at it for a couple of weeks.

I started on a little "walking" bear thing.

Hey does everyone know that it is sometimes IMPORTANT which way the grain of the wood goes? Ooops - guess I let the secret out! Anyways - my bear was turning out pretty good when some things started chipping out around the legs and paws (feet?).

But as a wise man once said... "I knew a man who took a cat by the tail and learned 30 percent more about cats than a man who didn't."

Got a couple of woodspirits under my belt. They turned out well. I am loving every minute of it.

Wish you well!

[dmatias]

Welcome, I have only been carving for three years and have found this place invaluable. I am sure you will get alot of response from people here. I sure do rely on their comments. Make sure to post your work, not just when you are complete but as you go along. Lots of helpful suggestions come along and boy are they worth it. Anyway, welcome aboard.

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Welcome to our little corner of the web, Steve. Glad you found us...you will find lots of information, inspiration, ideas and a great group of people!

Again, Welcome!

Chahlie