what to do with practice pieces

[oldbearx2]

I just finished cleaning out the carving room for my remodeling prioject and ran into a snag. I have a whole big box of pieces I used for practice. Everything from eye sticks to a two sided bust of a Native American. I was going to put the whole mess in the fire wood box but wifey says no. She laid claim to the Indian carving but said I should keep the rest for future reference. I did not date anything when I did them and some are not so good. What do you folks think or what do you do with your practice pieces.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

If there's enough good wood left, I make miniatures out of them. The really, really good ones I keep (not very many). The rest I throw away.

[kitaye]

I have a shoe box for keepers. Everything else is either gifted to someone else or becomes kindling.

[stickman]

Thats a tough one.on one hand its cool to look back and see how much better you got. and on the other hand they take up space.I give all my practice pieces away.and let the recipients burn them. Or not

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nothing is wasted in my shop. If it's big enough I'll make something else out of it. If not, I save it for winter and the woodstove.

[oldbearx2]

Thanks never thought of recycling them. Some of the eye sticks are 2" by 2" and would make good smaller carvings. What about dating your practice stuff? Is that worth while?

[Claude]

Originally Posted by oldbearx2

Thanks never thought of recycling them. Some of the eye sticks are 2" by 2" and would make good smaller carvings. What about dating your practice stuff? Is that worth while?

Well, Leonardo Da Vinci's sketch books and note books were kept by someone, and they're considered priceless today. I'd say date them, and hang on to them, unless you plan to recarve them into something else. Someday your great-great-grandchildren can get rich off them at eBay...

Claude

[cannuckcarver]

Well, I am mainly a stick carver so they take space, but like you my wife lays claim on some of them....You are right Claude we should date them.
I found and old carving....lol... I also have a stick I practice ...nose....ears...eyes...well it's turning real well..,I would say date an store.

[Sharon of the Dell]

I agree with Claude. I keep thinking someday my grandkids will get rich from all my art! LOL Everything I do is a practice piece or an unfinished piece.Mainly though they are great for collecting dust! anyone into collecting dust?

[CarverFromNoWhere]

I heat my shop with wood, nuff said. Unless it is big enough to reuse and normaly practice peices just become a pile of chips.
GoodLuckHaveFun
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