Here's an Idea!

[jillsy]

Hey All,

I just took a trip to the Dollar Store to buy craft supplies for the kids. It's a loooonnnng winter and these kids need to be kept busy.

Anyhoo, while there, I found these little figurines of women dressed in victorian dresses. As some of you know, I've been venturing out and trying my hand at carving Mrs. Santa Clauses. Well, one of the hardest things about carving these are the dresses. Because I'm working with drawings and pictures, I don't get the full visual of how its to be carved in the round. So, for $5 I got myself 5 different figurines, all in different dresses to use as models.

I also saw all kinds of different little animal figurines and angels. Just wanted to pass on this idea for someone needing a 3D model. For the price, it's definitely worth it. (Also, for those with young kids and grandkids, go into their toy box. You're sure to find all kinds of animals and stuff to serve as models too!)

Jillsy

[squbrigg]

Jill, I did the same thing studying dragons. There was this little store here that sold cheap novelty stuff, posters, lamps, figures, etc, and I picked up a couple cheap. They give me lots of variations to use in carving/designing dragons.

Bob

[Eddy-Smiles]

Great idea Jillsy! I did the very same thing this past fall for a gator although my first attempt was unsuccessful. And today I was at the Tampa Aquarium where I saw an over priced carved wooden penquin from Indonesia for sale. I wasn't about to buy it even if I could afford it but I did manage to snap photos of it front, side and and back and I've already made a pattern of it for a future carving project. Opportunities are all around us. We just need to avail our selves of them.

[mark yundt]

Hey Jillsy!

Great minds think alike.This is similar to suggestions I made in General Woodworking called "usefull software". Everyone is right,,just look around and there is something somewhere to inspire or guide us.

[whittling]

Sounds good . If it works show me how .