A one hour finished carving project for someone who has never carved before?

[Jim Arnold]

The Director of the school where I teach has asked me to provide what she calls a "sampler class". It is going to be held during festival hours at this week's Leaf and String Festival in Galax, VA. The idea is to sign people up on the spot and then take them into the classroom and one hour later they walk out with a finished carving project they can take home and get them hooked on the idea of taking a full class.

Being that its already a festival with lots of music and 'refreshments', I don't like the idea...in my booth I already have examples of the projects we will do and all the necessary info., plus I'll be carving on the spot, I think alcohol and sharp knives is asking for trouble (although I realize not EVERYBODY will be three sheets to the wind), and I'm not thrilled about leaving my stuff out at a busy show while somebody "watches it for me" for an hour at a time, and maybe most of all because I don't have a clue as to what project I could have them do in an hour plus getting in all the safety and tool control basics.

I told her 'No', but also said I'd check further to see if I could find something...

You folks have any ideas?

Thanks,

Jim

[jmischel]

The idea about mixing alcohol and sharp knives is pretty frightening. I know from experience that my judgement is ... altered ... after just one beer. I won't even pick up a knife after two.

It'd be pretty difficult to cover safety and tool control, and do a project in an hour. But you might try that 5-minute owl. Or that little 5-minute penguin. Dave Brock did a video tutorial on that one. Or one of those 5-minute wizards, although that one might be pushing it a bit.

[Whittled Thumb]

I hack myself up sober, I could not even imagine carving drunk!!

[gtech]

Soap carving...

That's all I would offer.

Gilles

[Ed Redwine]

Jim, undoubtedly, a wiser head prevailed. I think I would have followed your lead and declined it too.

[Thor]

I think I would offer to demonstrate right there where my stuff was. That is what I normally do.
Talk to him about "liability", and I think he'll come around to your way of thinking.

Christina

[Jim Arnold]

Thanks you guys!
G-Tech,The idea of a soap carving was interesting.
Christina, I agree.

I've been anxious over this for days, and while I don't like telling the powers that be NO, I'm going to leave this one alone.

Thanks Again!

Jim

[aulddiy]

While I've no idea who the Director is one thing is for certain. He/she does not carve. An hour, I doubt it.