I would like to sign and date my carving(s). I know some carve their name, but I rather not do that at this point (I'm just a beginner and I am not too confident in doing that yet). Just looking for any suggestions besides carving it in. Beeman

[Callynne]

I have signed and dated all my carvings since I started, I also have numbered them right from the beginning. Really just dated and numbered them so I could keep track of my progress. Now that I'm selling my work I'm really glad I did that.
Before I got my woodburner I used a fine tip permanent marker, it worked very nicely. No matter what you use, do sign, date and even number them, years from now you'll be glad you did! Callynne

I designed a logo for my art work in high school and use it to this day. I have used woodburner and permanent marker to mark my work as well as carving the logo into some of my sticks. I do not number or date my work.....yet

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

[Colin_Partridge]

Beeguy,
I sign and date all my carvings as well and have done since I started carving. Not only does it give you and idea how many carvings you have produced or sold it also lets you refer back to mark your progress.
I purchased a Razertip woodburner right after I started carving and the only thing that I have ever used it for is signing and numbering my carvings. On the larger carvings I do it with a chisel and then a black marker it gives it a very nice effect when you put the stain on it. But I agree with the rest of gang it is important to at least sign your carvings especially if your giving them to your family. You know what they say, an artist's work isnt worth a whole lot until they die.
Colin

I started carving in 1993 and dated my 1st carving with #1, My name, and year. I also add a logo. I use a burner or a black marker. I just dated my last one # 889. Big Al

At the very least sign your carvings. A marker or pen or even a pencil (ink often fades when a pencil won't). I also advocate putting in your home town. Seems there is always someone posting a message on these boards requesting more info about an artist when all they have to go on is a name. What do I use?... Burn it in pretty hard and cover with a sealer.

Dave

I sign all my carvings with the signatures of famous carvers. They are worth much more that way!

Like Callynne, I've signed, dated and numbered my santa carvings since I started carving them. I used to use a permanent marker, but now I use a woodburner. I agree that it's a good idea to put your hometown and state on it, too - although I don't, simply because it takes up too much room (Reynoldsburg, OH).

Teri

I have signed and dated my carvings from the very first one back in 1988. I usually carve my initials in the bottom when I first start carving something. Then, when it is finished, I use a woodburner and/or a fine tip permanent sharpie marker and sign my name (if there is room) and add the number. I always end the number with the last two digits of the year. For instance, the carving I started last is #87703. Then, I keep a running list of my carvings on index cards in my carving box. I list the number, a short description of the carving, note if it was a special workshop project, who I sold or gave it to, and finally the date it was started. That same carving would be listed as:
#877 8' Lion Bust (Debbe Edwards workshop) gave to Kay April 2003

That helps my memory (I suppose if you sold quite a few, the IRS might be interested in your list--but that's not a problem for me--Memory is a problem!) :
The only thing I don't do is let the kids and grandkids put their names on the bottom of the carvings they want when I die!
Donna T

Donna, your numbering system is a great idea. Some of my pieces are so small, I have a hard time getting my signature, the date AND the piece number on the bottom of it. I'm going to think about combining the date/number into one number.

Teri