Wannabe Woodcarvers

[pallin]

It seems that every week in the forum there are 10 to 15 "newbies" - wannabe carvers. Some post a few questions about tools, wood, sharpening. Many seem to disappear! Of the 15,500+ members of this site, how many are actually carving? I'm sure the site managers and moderators have considered this question. Are we encouraging wannabe carvers by providing useful information about this hobby, or are we just a social networking site for lonely websurfers?

[Donsexton]

Good question I don't want this to be clique'ish like 54 was

[brian-bailey]

I consider myself one of the 15k+ members and yes I do carve.

In the past I have offered valid verifiable answers to many of the questions asked, only to be rebuked or ignored by the status quo here.

Lately, I have refrained from posting much here because of this.

I'm not familiar with 54, but IMO I consider this site to be very clique'ish.

Just my two cents.

[gene-messer]

Phil .. good question .. and I have some what of a answer.. There are a lot of new carvers out there because I talk to alot of them e mail and they are carving and learning .. but alot of them are new and not ready to show yet .. They look at other peoples carvings and are hesitant about showing untill they get better ..I get pictures of them all the time ..

Thats why to me it is so vital to find something good about anyone who displays their work here ... alot of people feel their being dishonest to compliment a carving thats not very good .. But if your not familar with how long they have been carving .. how can you say its good or not .. you cant .. so you must take in consideration how long they have been carving .. so I say find something good about the piece no matter what unless they ask for a a specific critique about their piece ..

Give them the stride to go on working at it ..

Gene

[Dicky]

I consider myself a member and I do carve but I consider it a hobby and not a passion. I left two other groups because of the "clique" mentality. Criticism is not an issue for me because I haven't figured out how to post yet. I do ask questions and usually get thoughtful responses. I also try to anwer questions when I can . Whether the suggestions are accepted or not isn't important it just gives the questioner another option or point of view to consider. The most important things for me is the friendly forum and the opportunity to view first class carvings by people willing to share their knowledge. Thanks everyone. BTW that this posting is #666 is just pure coincidence.

[mdallensr]

I've been a member for a long time and really carve, but as a hobby, not a career. I made a rule for myself a few years ago, to make only one post, with my opinion, to contraversial threads. Going back and arguing the point I just made only leads to more conflict. Now, that rule doesn't apply to conversational threads, which I really enjoy as we share ideas about non-contraversial subjects.

I've started to avoid some threads which seem to attract the same members, with the same "conventional wisdom" answers, that tend to cut-off further comments (food-safe finishes, for example).

If a newbie posts a first thread and asks a question, and he gets a bunch of questions rather than answers, including the "it depends" response, we shouldn't be surprised if they fade away. Us old-timers know how to navigate the site, check the galleries, and use the search feature; newbies don't and may never learn if we don't make them feel welcome. Newbies may also be new to the web, and don't know how to Google up some images, download stuff, and upload photos. Rather than telling them to check Woodcraft for the new #6 Pfeil gouges, give them a link to the page in the catalog; they'll be able to find it again after that. If they're looking for a local carving club, give them a link to our list, they'll be able to navigate back to it on their own later. All this is, of course, IMHO, which I've now stated once and won't restate. Mike

[Simplyme]

I also consider myself a member, and I do carve for fun, just not as much as I would like to. But I have been helped on the site by so many people on so many subjects that I do not know what I would of done if this site did not exist(probally would of gave it up). They are many, and I mean many great people on this site that are willing to help a new carver like me.

[Inadv]

Much like many of the other respondents to this thread, I am a relative newcomer to carving though I have "fiddle whittled" almost all of my life. I have been reluctant to post any of my work thus far as I feel that I'm not up to a level of confidence to show the things I've done. I do ask questions, and I do respond to threads under such topics that I feel comfortable with my knowledge on a given subject. And yes this is a fairly "cliquish" group here, but I can deal with that, and hope that everyone else can appreciate that I don't have any desire to be part of the clique.

I also have a lot of health issues, and have spent some considerable time either in the VA hospital or recuperating from one or another problem so far this year. They keep me from doing many of the things that I want to do, and one of those is spending more time carving. I think that Gene M. is right on target with his response, and have the highest regard for the help he has given me through all of the videos he does and his input on this forum.

Also consider that there will always be folks that are attracted to a certain hobby or craft that after a short period of time just sort of fizzle out with it. There are many other crafts or arts that I would really like to try, and a fair number of them I have pursued only to find that I just don't have the talent for it. The wood carving is one that I do have some talent for, but it takes time to develop just as many of the other hobbies I indulge in such as music.

[Ashbys]

I guess I fit into here someplace. But my passon has become my job. Sorry I am not on as much as I use to be, but time has become a major issue. I am not complaining but it has changed my life . So I do try to at least , visit the site and help when I am able.
But hard to type with a chisel in your hand , or while designing a new layout. My personal work gets moved aside to make time for other peoples work. But what blessing it is to help where you can. So many things to do and so little time.

Ash

[jimmy joe]

I think this site provide a wealth of information and encouragement for beginners . People here have always answered my questions weather on a thread or in a private message . Yes , opinions can vary and this leads to "stimulating conversation" . That is okay by me and I think people have a good bit of humor here also which is always good . So I give it two thumbs up . I just watched a movie last night called Temple Grandin . She is autistic and having a son who is in the spectrum I certainly related . One of her favorite sayings was that she was "different -not less " . That is how I look at the different opinions here . It's all good . While thinking of this it also inspires the hell out of me when I see people on here who do great carving with some pretty physical limitations . When I don't want to carve because I hurt a little I think of many of you who carve with a lot more pain . Thanks all for everything .