[BobD]

Hi everyone,
I've just put my first carving photo up. Here's the link
http://www.picturetrail.com/members/index.fcgi. I'm also going to try to post the photo here so you don't have to link to the othe page...


Let me know what you think.

BobD

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

looks pretty good Bob! Now you get to learn the other part of carving......yuck! sandpaper LOL

[squbrigg]

Hey, that's looking pretty good Bob. Now comes the hard part....sanding. You have the shape well defined and it looks nice and even, take your time and get into those holes and crevasses. You might like to try one of those sanding sticks and belts in the Chipping away catalogue, page 88. I find them great for my Celtic Knots and Designs. Once you use up a belt and replace it, don't throw the old one away, cut it and use it like a buffing cloth when shinning shoes, it will get into those holes nicely and take the roughness off the edges.

Well done, it will look beautiful all sanded and finished in an oil. I use a couple coats of wax over the oil and buff with a shoe brush, works well for me and really brings out the colour.

Bob.

[Kenny_S]

Great piece.

looking good Bob

[bcarvings]

That's really good. Personally I wouldn't sand it. I would leave it just how it is. It looks more hand made, more original. But that's just me. Nice work!

[Colin_Partridge]

Looks good Bob you are coming along great. I dont have any comment about sanding something I hardly ever do.
Colin

Looking very good Bob, thats a nice carving project for your first challenge. Coffeeman

[Donna_T]

Hi Bob,
THanks for posting your celtic spoon for us to see. It looks like a great project and you've done a great job with it. I love the finish look.

Sanding vs. not sanding is always a quandry. Basically, it depends on your preference in the final look. Personally, I like to do some sanding or 'nit picking' to clean up nooks and crannies that I may not have carved cleanly--but leave most of my carving marks. Some of my early carving instructors just admonished that I should make sure I've carved all cut surfaces so that all saw marks are replaced with carved wood because the two surfaces have distinctly different looks.

Thanks for sharing. Keep trying new and different carving projects and watch your skills and carvings improve.

Donna T

[BobD]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I value your input!!

I agree that it needs a little sanding--especially in the corners, but I'm pleased.

My goal is to finish a project out of either WCI or SSW each season, so I'm sure you will see more of my work.

Thanks again.

Bob