[Kenny_S]

I carve for relaxation and to produce and item that others would like as a Christmas gift or a gift. Can't say cheap Christmas gifts but a gift that will / would be around for years. I know some carves an item to look exactly like the subject they are carving or does it? Some for competition. some says because they can. How say you?

[Chahlie]

Hi All,

Interesting thread Kenny. I myself carve because I like to see what might be hidden in the piece of wood before me. I have always loved working with wood...I guess I got that from my Dad. I am new to carving and have so much to learn...but I find the learning interesting. Even the mistakes and problems are instructive. At this point I haven't considered producing anything that might be considered saleable and don't ever think I would want to get into a production situation...not carving for 'pressure', carving for pleasure! LOL!

Chahlie

[Lindy]

Hi Ken,

I carve because I love watching what is created. I enjoy giving them as gifts but I also like the satisfaction of the entire process. Okay I don't really like the roughing out part so much :-[ It's fund to see the reactions of people who I do give them to.

Being the perfectionist that I am, I would like my carving to become good enough to sell and to be able to compete successfully. I do realize that I have a ways to go before I will be able to do that although I have entered my first competition and I will find out if I even placed tomorrow.

Well, that was my 2 cents.

Lindy

[Smokey]

An interesting question indeed! It causes a little thought and reflection. Lets see how I can put this. Well- it reminds me of laying in the next bed, to an old man in a vet hospitol, and when the young nurses got to kidding him. They ask him who he hoped to satisfy with 'That little thing'. His reply was simple and pure---'Well me, of course'. Sorry for the somewhat off color analogy, but the reflection does fit the quest.

In my opinion-- you get out of it what you put in it. I dont sell my carvings (my daughters in law would raise to much h___, they think everyone of the carvings belong to them, and claim each one before it is complete), and I dont compete. First of all I dont think that my carvings are good enough, and second--It would be like that old man competing. I carve because I like it, and the creativity. The end results are mine, and like the old man, I'll be happy with what ever I have. Each carving is a compilation of my thoughts and feelings at the time. I guess that explains why on some days, nothing turns out right.

[squbrigg]

Why do I carve? I carve to see if I can do it! Then I carve to improve it or do something more difficult (Ya, I can do that too!). Then, I carve to replace something I've created and have given away or sold. Finally I carve just for the joy of it.

I don't carve commissions....too much stress...........I carve what inspires me and if someone wants to make an offer, I'll consider it. That's just how and why I carve.

Bob

[AlArchie]

Well, I started carving years ago as a kid because all kids seemed to whittle, then. I didn't know a kid who didn't carry a pocket knife, and we carved slingshots, toy guns, snow snakes and pointy sticks. (kids today get sent to juvenile court for a lot of that.........too bad, but times have changed)

Then, after I retired, I started carving trout, because I wanted to see if i could capture some of the beauty of these little beasites, and I couldn't draw worth a darn. I honestly can't ay that carving is relaxing for me because I stress out over each piece as it is being carved and finished.

Carving fish gave me some insight into other aquatic creatures and habitat, so they was added to the mix.

Every once in a while a piece of wood shows up that absolutely cries out with something that needs to be carved, like the Ashland Soo Line Depot relief carving that turned up in the charred beam from the original depot, and the venerable 2-10-0 decapod steam engine from another piece of that beam. (not done yet....still stressing over this one)

Or a piece of particularly figured or historic peice of wood that seems to have the right grain for a natural finish trout (bitdseye maple) or sunfish (tiger maple).

A few pieces have been sold, but I don't think I 'm good enough to go into this on a regular basis, so most sit on furniture around the house or go to friends and relatives for their enjoyment.

After al lthis stressing out in the carving process, there is a good senxe of satisfation to finishing a piece. I guess that's the main reason I carve/

Al

Great thread made me think. I realize that I carve for the wrong reasons sometimes probably too much of the time. I carve mainly to sell what I carve and although I do a good job I think sometimes I get too wrapped up in having to carve too much in a short period of time. Here I sit and have to do three maybe four commissions next week and that will take up about 8 to 10 hours of my day every day. Someone asked me when I was at the competition last week how many carvings I have that I wont sell. To which I replied none and that made me think. I told them if someone offers me the right price I will sell anything. I realize that is wrong it shouldnt be that way there should be some carving that I should keep for myself. Having said that there all of my kids and grandchildren have carvings that they requested. Mind you most of the money I make goes to buy new tools and equipment and for plane fares to go to some of these competitions so you may say I support my habit by selling my carvings. I also do these big carvings now because I still can there will be one day when I will be too old and then I will stick with hand carvings.
A great topic though you really made me stop and think.
Just my two Queen Elizibeths (for my US friends thats whats on our one cent coin).
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I lose sight of what I carve, yep! that's why I wear glasses and a set of magnifiers! lol

I carve because I enjoy it. I would sell my carvings if someone wanted them so I could afford to buy more tools!

Great topic, I carve for the challenge involved. I don't think I can carve it, and usually I'm right. I enjoy the compliments, even when the carving isn't the best, someone likes it. My latest project has been rewarding enough to keep up my enthusiam. I carved my false teeth. They were expensive, and the teeth were too big. So what the heck, no need to pay a denturist more money, I have the tools, so I shortened them, reshaped them, and then polished them. There fine. With the money I saved, I can buy another tool. : I was just thinking , maybe I should hang out a new shingle, there is undoubtably more money in being a denturist.