The Last of Forty-five

[Cottonwood]

I'm finally finished! Here is a picture of the last four in a series of 45 elves that were ordered in July of 2010. There are two more pictures, one of the first elf in the series and one of number 45, the last one carved in the series.

It has been a big job and somewhat of a struggle, but something good always comes from a work intensive activity such as this. If you are wanting to improve your carving skills, take on such a project as this! If you are like me, I wouldn't have worked this hard or learned as much if I had just dabbled along and didn't have a customer to satisfy. I firmly believe, now, that to learn to carve you must carve .....
and.....have some mild pressure in order to keep after it.

All of my 45 elves for 2010 are in my gallery here. It's been quite an experience but it has been a valuable study opportunity for carving a variety of expressions on elf faces. I feel that now I can offer some helpdful assistence to anyone wishing to carve various expressions.

The folks on this forum have been great encouragers and mentors for me as I have persued my adventures in carving. Thanks to all my carving friends here!

[Jeff Bailey]

Millard,
I have enjoyed following your journey through this project. Each one has its own personality and each are equally fantastic. Thanks a lot for letting us join you for the ride!
Jeff

[Ed Redwine]

Why are we such gluttons for punishment? In early October I had orders for only a handful of Santas. Then suddenly, the number shot up dramatically. The pressure was on! This series was neat to follow Millard. I think you had an elf for every job. Mark your calendar for mid May. Our show will be at the same place in Wichita.

[Buffalo Bif]

I'm curious- obviously all are not alike- what were the conditions of the commission? 45 different, or something more specific?

I just finished my first ornament exchange here, first time I whittled 18 of anything, so I sit here nodding as I read your post.

[Tom Ellis]

Fantastic job Millard, Now you need to take a break, and carve a whole bunch of something else.

Tom

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Great work Millard!

Dave

[Cottonwood]

Jeff, Thanks, glad you came along!

Ed, hope to see you in Wichita.

bflobif, each was supposed to be different and 35 were needed the week before Christmas. The last 10 were to be finished by Christmas or shortly after.

Tom, I'm not going to be carving "a whole bunch" of anything for awhile. I think I'll do a few bark carvings and a few full figure in-the-round pieces..........and for my wise cracking friends, no, "full figure" does not include any plans to carve women that may be described that way.

[Cottonwood]

Thanks, Dave!

[markken5889]

Congratulations & well done Millard! Great work!!!

Mark

[Curly Early]

Millard, Tremendous job on the elves and to make that many different, you did good. Some years ago, I sold a cowboy and when I dilivered it, the customer said, now carve me another just like this one, I have two grandsons. I left there thinking, now just how in the world does she expect me to carve another exactly like the first? Well, unkown to me, it was far easier than I had expected, because in woodcarving, its very easy for our carvings to look like they are brothers, the rub comes in trying to make a different look, and in that very thing, you take high honors. Thanks for posting your efforts for inspiration to others ---Earl