Finished Carvings

Marci MN · #1 11-22-2005, 06:07 PM

What do you do with your finished carvings? Do you only carve something that is destined to go somewhere or someone? What if your just learning something new and it turns out pretty nice and your proud of it? Do you keep them in your house for display? Or pack them up and store them somewhere? Do you do sales with your carvings?

jamesfa · #2 11-22-2005, 06:28 PM

Marci-you will probably get several answers. I personally carve what interests me with no thought to its ultimate destination.if when finished someone mentions they like it its theirs.i do not sale any of my carvings.i just find that carving for other people becomes a job with time frames.

so unless you plan to sell your carvings carve what you want,and what interests or intriques you. (i have found that if its something you like and interests you it gos a lot easier.) then if someone whats to buy one of your carvings you'll have some $$ to buy some tools.

Frank

GeorgiaFred · #3 11-22-2005, 09:30 PM

I have a 'collection' of over 30 hiking sticks and canes and also have wondered what to do with them. I have decided to load them up and take them to our family Thanksgiving meal and let the 'old timers' take their pick !
That way I get them out of my house and the old guys have a cane to show off to their buddies !
GaFred

MelNM · #4 11-22-2005, 09:57 PM

Hi Marci, speaking for my self, I have given most of my carvings away, mostly to family, I keep a few, which I some of which were made for my wife and some just messing around. Just do what you feel like with them gifts, or for yourself.

MDWine · #5 11-23-2005, 08:30 AM

I'm as new as you, Marci, but I plan on carving a BUNCH of Santa Claus', and displaying them all year. I'm also interested in wood spirits and green-men!

I also do "flat work" and wood turning, so I just may build my own display case.

I also plan on give a bunch away. I love the look on someone's face when they compliment a piece of work, and you say that they can have it. (Sometimes they really don't want it, so I don't force it on them.)

Now all I need is some EXPERIENCE!

Good luck with you carving!

squbrigg · #6 11-23-2005, 10:55 AM

I carve what takes my interest at that particular time. Ship models take a while to carve so I often will have a few other things on the go, canes, Celtic knots, relief carvings, scenes in the round, burnings, etc. I keep some at home, I sell some, I give some as gifts, I swap some, and I use some as displays in the summer. I have been selling more lately, so that allows me to carve more, buy more wood, tools, etc. Success breeds success. I don't mean just selling either....I mean more about "reactions". Since nautical carving is my thing, and I live in an old sailing ship port, the heritage here is very "salty", and of course sailors and ship carvers were very traditional, so that is the sort of thing folks like to see. (here anyway) I enjoy talking carving and getting folks interested in it, so I like to encourage folks when they look at my work, especally kids. Kids are the greatest, they love to see and feel a carving, especially something magical...like a dragon! They make great "feel better gifts" for sick kids, or just for adults who seem to need a "lift".

Bob

Alice in Wonderland · #7 11-23-2005, 05:22 PM

Hi Marci
I have worked with wood for almost 9 years now and I still have most of my work , to me the pieces become so much my own that I can not part with any of them . I had offers to sell but again I could not. They are just part of my life.
Alice

GeorgiaCarver · #8 11-23-2005, 06:48 PM

I have given most away and I have kept a few favorites. Seems the more people that see my work the more that I can tell that really enjoy it. Once I know they enjoy my work I want them to have one so I give them one or make them one. I have two in the que right now that I need to get done!

Greg

Kenny_S · #9 11-23-2005, 10:54 PM

Keep, give away and sell! The latter as Frank said, to much of a time frame but then, All I had to say was NO!

My first in any carving stays at home and tghe little bride displays them. If a carve another pice, I may keep it to see any improvements. Give away as presents and I sell a lot also. Just started commission work and yep, I have to carve to make a deadline and I carve for a craft shop also. Not getting rich but pays for the trip and for tools and more wood.

Clifford_Parker · #10 11-24-2005, 10:46 AM

#1 Keep some. It is always fun to look back on your earliest attempts.

#2 Give some away as gifts. Family and friends often love to recieve gifts made by their loved ones.

#3 If you luck out and sell some, spend the money on more tools or wood!!