Do you carve everyday?

Colin_Partridge · #1 06-08-2005, 08:06 PM

Hi Gang,
Although sometimes it is difficult I try to carve something or carve on something everyday. Other than my slumps that you all know about I try to find at least one hour a day to carve. Having said that there are many days I carve for eight to ten hours a day. If I do that I usually pay for it especially because I do most of it standing on my feet bending over or climbing up to carve. So it prompted me to ask this question do you all carve everyday? Also when I first started carving I wouldnt put it down until the carving was completed but as I get older I seem to have more patience and I can now leave a carving for two or three days before finishing it. Also I have the time now that I am retired to be able to do that I am sure that a lot of you hold down a full time job and carve as well. I dont know where I ever found the time to work I am busier now than when I was working.
Colin

Just Carving · #2 06-08-2005, 08:58 PM

Colin,

I wish I could carve for an hour everyday, but there's always something that has to be done. But I do try to carve one or two nights a week for a couple of hours. Lately as I have said before I've been working on my tools. I have some tools coming soon so I hope that will be incentive for me to carve more.

Bob

squbrigg · #3 06-08-2005, 09:46 PM

I try to do some every day, "but" when other activity increase, my physical limits kick in and I'm not able to. It's a pain in the as...k me no questions! Like this last two weeks, my daughter broke her foot, and I have to help her back and forth to college, help her with bookbag, shopping, etc....so I'm worn out. Her significant other is away to school himself, so I'm plan "B". Also helping the "Little Mrs." get her gardening organized. No strength left for carving. Hopefully later this week though, daughter's away till Monday.

Not to say I'm idle........ when I'm resting, I'm reading about carving, planning carvings, drawing future projects, printing off sketches from the computer and thinking about how to finish pieces that I have in the works.

Bob

AlArchie · #4 06-08-2005, 10:01 PM

No. Guess that answers that question! I'll go weeks without carving, then work steady for a few days, a few off and then mabe a few more for a couple hours. I really have a hard time maintaining my concentration for much more than an hour or two at a time.

Al

Lightningbolt · #5 06-08-2005, 10:25 PM

"Not to say I'm idle........ when I'm resting, I'm reading about carving, planning carvings, drawing future projects, printing off sketches from the computer and thinking about how to finish pieces that I have in the works." Bob

I think that Bob really hit the nail (or the chisel) on the head, or at least as it relates to me. In all honesty I'd have to say that I pull out my trusty pocket knife at least several times each day to cut or whittle on something, even if it isn't my latest "real" carving project. Like Bob said, even if I can't be carving I'm at least thinking about it and don't take this "thinking" stuff too lightly because the mind is an enormously powerful tool whether your hands are directly following its instructions at the moment... or NOT. Thinking is a very big part of the "carving process".

So if I can't carve, can't read about it, can't study drawings, or teach somebody about carving then I can say that I'm probably thinking about it, which brings up another interesting point to consider. Maybe I'm a little crazy, but I quite often dream about my carving. Honestly, I solve a LOT of my daily problems while sleeping and carving is very often on my sleeping agenda.

Whew! I'm getting a little too deep even for me so I'm coming up for air again.... Yes, I'd have to say that I carve every single day and that includes the days when I don't (very rare) even touch a knife because my brain always brings up some carving conversation or problem for me to consider and to think about, and I consider that a very big part of the carving process. Remember that what we do is not just carving, but a carving process and a book could be written on that alone so I'll stop here before I do so!

decoycarve · #6 06-08-2005, 10:31 PM

I try to carve everyday and probably carve 5 out of the 7. I had a broken leg and a knee replacement during my busy season and wasn't able to fill a lot of orders. Luckily a lot of my customers are willing to wait. My day job is tough on my leg and there are days I just don't make to the shop.
Goody

Mitchell · #7 06-08-2005, 11:01 PM

No where close.... I may carve 3 or 4 days in a row, but then miss two weeks before getting back to it. I will say that I have carved much more in the past two years than I have in the previous 10 or so.

I DO check this site almost every day....hopeing to see what someone else might be working on. I do get some motivation from you fine folks here. Thanks.

rales · #8 06-08-2005, 11:12 PM

I would love to say that I carve everyday - and I admire anyone who has that discipline! But my reality is such that when I get a break from carving for work - I usually consider a little vacation is in order... Example - I just got done with a sizable order for Guinness. I carved everyday for 2 weeks - 10 hours a day. I will take a break for a few days and then begin the finishing and gilding. In the meatime, clean the shop, do some paperwork... then finish the job before deadline..

It's only when things slow way down that I'll get to work on some of my own projects... and then I'll start worrying about the next order... vicious cycle! But I do feel it's important to keep exploring new things... just wish I had more time... maybe retirement (and that will never happen!)

wade clark · #9 06-09-2005, 12:13 AM

Rales,
Guinness? Do you carve things for Guinness, are you the Brewmaster (

if you are!) or what?
After reading this thread, I'm determined to have a carving tool in my hand every day! I carve when I can skip work or hire work done so I can carve! Usually one 6or 8 hour day, plus one 3 or 4 hour day every week. I have to spend half a day in town tomorrow and will crowd both of those days into tomorrow afternoon this week! But that's going to change, even if some days I just hold a tool and dream...no, I'll make it touch wood every day!
Thanks for the thread, Folks!
Wade

Kenny_S · #10 06-09-2005, 12:16 AM

No! The little bride has to many honey dos and the Grandchildren wants their time also. HMMM, Maybe I could tell the little bride it is Grandchildren time more.