[AlArchie]

Steve, I guess you have good reason for impatience. Â*Hope your treatments are working well, Â*Your grandkids will appreciate the work you do for them. Â*I don't have any, but I have a sweet little neice who thinks my carved stuff is great, and the farm set I made when she was two is still in good use (9 now). Â*

She takes good care of it, but I told her folks that I 'd better see some wear marks on it! Â*The hand made stuff REALLY counts.

Al

[stevefrfla]

I have always been impatient, I want to finish these projects just so I don't have to clean up my shop. I have a grandson who for $10.00 sweeps my floor once a week, otherwise I use my airhose and compressor, like the toolman. The Barbie dollhouse is going to be a major project, If I would have realized how much of a project I would have talked her out of it. And I have twelve 'gigs in various stages of building. But the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise I will get them done in time for Christmas. If not they can finish them themselves.

P.S. I still have my hair so I figure that I am ahead of te game.

Steve - I've been there and done that in 1980/81 and still around, so don't get too far down. Sometimes 6 months can turn into a mighty long time. Funny think about the hair - when it comes back, it comes back thicker than it was before it went away (of course that was over 20 years ago, so it's got pretty thin again).

[stevefrfla]

ED: Well it's been six weeks since the start of chemo and I still have all my hair so maybe I'll luck out. I haven't given up yet, may have waited a bit too long but that's water under the bridge, or as you would say in a carving board 'That's chips under the table'. I am getting ready to cut the grass today so no shop work, it's hot as blazes in Florida, I have my oldest Grandson weed eat so he does the hard work. Off to work stay cool.

[lorax]

When I was young, and I lived with my grandparents. My grandfather came into his woodshop and found me seven links into a chain, he said 'Son, you must have the patience of Job'. I often think of that moment when I have the urge to rush through a project (usually to finish it up). We live in such a rushed world, if we cant take our time with our art, what's the point.

Hang in there Steve! My carving started out after a trip to Silver Dollar City outside of Branson Mo. We stopped in a a little Carving shop there and after about an hour, the family decide enough was enough and went on touring Silver Dollar City. Well after 3 hours, The little bride came back and said are you through, and the answer was NO!. I was so caught up in watchinga woman carve that I bought a blank and pulled out my pocket knife and just started carving then and there.
I believe there are several factor in why someone starts carving and with each person, it is different. Mine at first was to see if I could and now it is enjoyment in watching people's eyes when I present a carving to them. The Boy Scouts who recieve an Eagle on top of their staff when they make the rank of Eagle. Not for myself as I believe anyone who has the desire can carve with practice. What is in it for myself, Enjoyment. Enjoyment is carving and giving of oneself.

BTW, never did finish touring Silver Dollar City that day.

Steve, I understand being a little impatience sometimes. More now than ever for myself. I was diagnose with glaucoma and have now had both eyes operated on with a procedure called YAG. I have lost some sight that I will not recover. However, the ooperations were a success and with 6 months checkup with my eye doctor and prescription eye drops. Make have that whipped. I know nothing like what you are going through and my heart and prayers go with you.

Sorry for a long winded post but then the little bride has always said I was windy.

Best to you all

[Colin_Partridge]

Steve,
Sorry I am so long answering this question but I have just returned home from a carving competition on the west coast. For me there is no one thing that is the secret I realize that it has been said before me here many times, its a whole lot of things. I agree with everyone here if it gives you enjoyment and satifaction then maybe that is the only secret. Dont be too hard on yourself we were all too afraid to take off wood when we started only thru practice and experimentation will you gain the confidence. I agree with Al, I just took up chainsaw carving it is great you get to where you want to be really fast and the carving takes shape immediatly so you see the results. I will never just chainsaw carve because I love to do different things and also go back and do things I did before. So my advise is if it makes you happy and you are progressing to your satisfaction and people tell you that they like your carvings then you are doing just fine.
Colin

Hi Colin,

Are you back from the west coast? How was it?

Chris

[woodenleg]

Firstly, I'll repeat the one about sharpening your blades.

Secondly, I have always heard that it is very good to date all your carvings and to photograph them -- returning to review them on occasion. I guess that review process brings to your attention what it is that you have been doing and the improvements you have made. Therein, lies a good process for 'improving' (based on what that means to you). It gives you a good opportunity to assess what you have done and evaluate the direction in which you want to go.

By the way, if you like to take large cuts, you may like to take up 'flat plane' carving. Harley Refsal has a great book that steps you through the process and may meet your needs. Good luck!