[Colin_Partridge]

Hi gang,
I just recieved an email from Bob and he was commenting that he had not seen me on the board very much. He is absolulty right and my problem is that I dont feel like carving any more. I am feeling really down because I cannot get inspired I go to the work shop and just look at my tools but thats about all I do. I have commissions booked and canes to do but just cant get inspired to do them. Carving is a huge part of my life I would hate to think of not doing it any more. I ordered some caraciture roughouts from Rick but they sit there on my bench looking at me. Any one else get that way? I dont know if its the long winter or all the family committments or what but all I do is watch TV and there is nothing on. You have to know me I rarely watch TV so there must be something wrong.
I just thought I would share this if nothing else it will probably make a good topic for the message board.
Colin

[rick-in-seattle]

Colin,
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.

I lose the desire to carve quiet often; especially when I have to carve.

Here is what I do that seems to help: Get a 2 x 2 x 6" piece of basswood and a knife and start whittling. No design, no plans, just whittle.

When carving starts to become work, we lose interest and avoid it.
Sit down with a stick and relax.

[AlArchie]

Well, Colin, I've gotten into that same slump! Haven't been able to get much of anything carved, except those few twisty stick canes, and those haven't really been carved, just cleaned up, and "dealt with".

So, to offset the blahs, I took off with my hunting partner and busied ourselves in the woods looking for some more twisty aspens. About three hours of brush busting and we came up with five fairly nice twisties apiece.......and a few woodticks as an added bonus! Sure was surprised to find ticks, this early in the season, but we are equally surprised to have this beautiful weather this early in the season, so I guess it evens out.

A lot of our carving club members seem to be in the slumps, too, so maybe it's something in the air.

Al

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think we all go thru that! I have the sea turtle sitting there for months and finally had to force myself to go work on it....but what I did was work just a little at a time instead of pushing it /// besides everything else that is going on....at least I am seeing a little progress! Hang in there Colin, my old uncle used to say "don't worry about nothin' cause nothin' is going to be alright anyway!"

[squbrigg]

Colin my friend, you would probably be surprised at how many of us get that way from time to time. Perhaps it's the time of year? Maybe the lack of sun, too much TV, too damm much snow, or who knows? I am usually chomping at the bit to carve, but every so often will hit a slump, and just sit there and look at my tools, wood and draw a blank! No inspiration, no motivation, just don't feel like touching a thing.

What I do......put my feet up, light up a cigar, sip on a cold drink or hot tea, pat the dog on the head and listen to some good music in my shop! Forget pushing it, forget trying, just let it go.....it always comes back! Sometimes it takes a couple of days, but it works for me. Often I'll end up starting something completely fresh and different, then once started, I can't wait to finish so I can get back to the longer term projects.

Relax buddy......don't force it, you are suppose to be enjoying it! You wouldn't if you force it.

Bob

[rgbonehead]

It happen's colins especially when you have commisions.
Sounds like you are making a business out of carving.
forget that I tried the same thing and the fun went away
So I hung my tools up for two years.Now I carve only
what I want to carve.No commissions.......Ron

[Hugh]

Colin I got to get my two cents worth in. When I was a very young man, I hated to work. I got my days work in, and went hunting, fishing, whatever. A job was a dirty word. Got smashed up on a motor cycle , couldn't work for a year. I have loved to work ever since. another yarn, one morning in church , I asked an older man about his health, he had just recovered from a heart attack. Well he said he sat in the window and looked at all the things that needed to be done, and felt awful that he couldn't do them. His wife spoke right up and said well he never could see all those things that needed doing, before the heart attack. To sum this up, ahhhhhhhhh, I don't think there is an answer, give it all up.(just kidding) Take one small job, do nothing else, but that one thing, until its finished, take your time with it, be extra fussy, and when I finish that one, maybe I'll find another small project that needs a little extra love and care. I suffered a minor stroke a few days ago, and can't do much until I get treatment for the cause, its driving me crazy not being able to work. If I could work this time of year, it more than likely would be outdoors cleaning up the winter mess. But now I want to carve. My two cents worth turned out to be a 25 cents worth. Don''t let it get to ya, keep on keepin on.

[papasar]

I know what you mean. It took me long time to figure why I would go thru the blahs with no motivation etc. Finally convinced myself its kinda like cabin fever. It's been a long Winter for most people and wether we know it or not we need to feel Springtime and all the new things that go with it. I stopped analyzing myself and I just rest in the fact that it will pass. I also found out that the feeling passes more quickly when I reach out and help someone else. Kinda gets me to take the focus off myself. More people go thru this than will admit it. Just hang in there and look for the first croccus. No matter how tough the winter the little buggers come back yr after yr.
Feel better!
Bill K.

[jamesfa]

colin-as you can see by some of the posts you are not alone we all go thru periods of loss interest or inspiration.i have note started anything new for a while i was away for 5weeks and haven't been able to get inspired.but i have busied myself at the club helping others with there carvings and passing on my limited knowledge where it was most needed.

this week i started a new type of carving don't know if it will work out but i think it will help in getting me going.

winter is over =spring is here and spring is the season of renewal.

hang in there it will come back

Frank

[Paul_Guraedy]

Colin, enthusiasm is contagious. When I get down or frustrated about carving, I select a roughout or piece that takes some simple carving to make a lot of progress, get me a bag to contain the chips, and go to a public place to carve. The interest and excitement of non-carvers usually prevents much progress; but, revives any lagging spirit I might be encountering.