Your right Dave, Nancy does have a special gift. I just couldn't stop looking at them. They are well done, and Â*there is so much going on. Really good. Â*It is a story waiting to be told. An old lady I know used to say, I know its good cause I like it. Â*

[squbrigg]

Randy,

To learn about ship modelling there are some great books available. The Dromedary Ltd is a ship modellers supply store down in Texas, that stock everything a modeller would need, books, plans, kits, tools, woods, fittings, etc. Get a catalogue from them ($6US) and see what you need. You'll have to mail or phone, they aren't online. (915) 584 2445 or 6324 Belton, El Paso, Texas, USA,79912 .

Check out www.modelshipwrights.net The site isn't a how to, just some examples of what some ship modellers are building. There are some good online stores, www.modelexpoinc.com for example or www.dlumberyard.com or the British www.model-dockyard.com

A viking ship shouldn't be too difficult, there is lots of data around on original ships that have been uncovered and restored, several replica's have also been built. Several kits available too. The planking isn't very complicated and if you build it big enough, you could do lots of period carvings on it.

Would also make for a great subject for relief carving. Give it a go in what ever form you deceide on. Good luck too.

Bob

[BobD]

Bob,
Do you have a good source for information on ship's riggings? At the chipping away show we were across from a model ship builder's booth, and I was inspired to finish mine. Coupled with permission from my boss to use the shop we have at the office, I'm dusting off my model...but I lost the book with the rigging information in it....

Randy, now you've made me want to do a viking ship too!!

Bob

[BobD]

By the way, I finished my new knife handle out of that scrap of mahognay this weekend. Was visiting my parents and got a 4x8x10' piece of basswood for $20.
Bob

Thanks squbrigg, I'm not much into book reading. Since the internet has grow so much over the last 10-12 years I've been using it, I find it a waste of money. When I find something that really interests me, I print it out.

I'll be checking the sites you listed this evening.

Sorry Bob It will probably be awhile before I tackle the Viking ship, probably in a few months when it gets too cold to work out in the shop for extended periods of time.


Nancy, question; How do you paint those tiny designs on your carvings? I catch heck trying to paint large areas without messing up :-/

[Colin_Partridge]

Hi Gang,
This week I am working on four tree carvings, carving from sunup till sundown I need to complete them this week. They are all in Elm tree all big and mature but this year the Dutch elm bug got them so I am being commissioned once more. Dont know how much longer I can keep this up I celebrated my 62 birthday last thursday up a tree. Well as they say, That, that does not kill you can only make you stronger. The carvings will probably take me three or four days to do but I will post pictures when they are completed.
Colin

[Callynne]

Greg, those witches are great and I love your Pilgrims!! Terrific work! And Nancy, you are just TOO GOOD!! That snowman is adorable!!
I'm working on Santas....who would have guessed?! I'll post some pictures soon, no time for anything else but carving...okay, and taking a few minutes to chat with all of you! : Callynne

hehehe Colin, how do you like carving elm?

[Colin_Partridge]

Randy,
This is the first time I have ever carved Elm and probably the last. Talk about hard wood I think it is harder than oak and beech up there with iron wood. One thing about it though it really takes nice detail.
Colin

It is definitely harder then oak. Thank God I only have two pieces left and one of them is almost finished. Should be done when I get back out in the shop Saturday.