[TommyPhillips]

A funny thing happened the other day...

I carved a handful of ornaments this year, and when I was talking about who gets what (parents, brothers, etc...) my own dear wife jumped all over me for trying to give too many away.

I said, "Do you want to keep all the carvings I ever do?"

And she said, "No, just all the ones you have done so far."

Of course, in the same way that "tomorrow never comes," she will always want to keep "the ones I have done so far."

It could be worse. It could be much, much worse.

-Tommy

[Marci MN]

Too Cute! I guess you'll need to carve ornaments all year long , getting ready for next year.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Tommy, it don't get no better!

My wife is also a supporter of my habit and loves the carvings I do. I have found that the only way I can release a carving is to state that it is for gift or sale while it is still in the rough-out stage. Once it takes shape I am advised, with emphasis, "don't even think about getting rid of that one!"

Luckily, I became aware of this many years ago. I was interested in doing some small decoys and wanted to do a quick test so I carved a slick one in a piece of redwood I had on hand. When I had it basically complete, having no further interest in this piece, I threw it in my "kindling" box. A few days later it was back on a shelf in my shop. Thinking I had had one of those "senior moments" I put it back in the "kindling" box. A few days later it appeared on a shelf in the house. Diana caught me standing there looking at this "traveling duck" and said, "I don't know why you threw it away; but, it's now mine, leave it alone!"

That was about 20 years ago and this piece has been repaired at least once, when the head was broken off. I thought I had learned a lesson; but, just last fall I did a test piece of pyrography. Sure 'nough, it's now in the house and I have to figure out how to make some of the "goofs" less apparent to me.

Oh well, at least she likes the things I carve. I guess I better not question whether they are really good or it's just because she loves me and I carved them. Whatever the reason it makes her supportive of my eternal quest for (and purchase of) the perfect tool, knife, piece of wood........

[PeteM]

I have the same thing with my kids..I made 8 miniature Santas this year, with the intention of giving away 4 or 5 of them. Still got 7 of them!

[jillsy]

Nothing like a supportive spouse to encourage your work! Good for her and good for you too!

[Anda G]

Good for you! We all could use that kind of support.
Andagail

[DarrellA]

I seem to have the exact opposite type of spouse. Everytime I have something finished she gives it away. She says that it saves her a lot of money that she would otherwise have to spend on gifts. She says that her official tittle is my Distributer of Finished Carvings. She seems to feel that I should be honored that people like my carvings. On the other hand I don't have a lot of old carving sitting around collecting dust nor do I have the problem of where to store my finished carvings. I have found that if I want to keep a carving I like I just don't finish it and then she wont take it.

Darrell

[GeorgiaCarver]

Happens to me alot with the little stuff, on the other hand, the bigger stuff is a different response if you know what I mean

Greg

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by DarrellA

I seem to have the exact opposite type of spouse. Everytime I have something finished she gives it away. She says that it saves her a lot of money that she would otherwise have to spend on gifts. She says that her official tittle is my Distributer of Finished Carvings. She seems to feel that I should be honored that people like my carvings. On the other hand I don't have a lot of old carving sitting around collecting dust nor do I have the problem of where to store my finished carvings. I have found that if I want to keep a carving I like I just don't finish it and then she wont take it.

Darrell

Not a problem lol, when she gives your stuff away, give something of hers away ha ha, instant understanding!

[windsong]

You know i was going to keep quite on this subject but after Darrell saying that his wife gives away his stuff.My wife puts all of my carvings in a white store bag the ones the store gives your grocerys in.Then in a while thay the bag comes up missing.{ goes to the trash}.Don't get me wrong she will help me paint them and what ever i need to do with them.I find it strange she only want to keep the ones that i trade for.Ha. Ha.
windsong