[Fishgap]

Well hello all,
We only had 5 days but we got it done. All with hand tools no power.
The open house was great and the people at Fox Chapel were incredible.
So for all that were not able to be there, and for all that were there but didnt see the finished pole, here it is. All 8ft high and 19 inches through the bottom.
Alfie

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Looks good Alfie! take me 5 days just to figure out what I was going to do!

[Don by the lake]

Thanks for the post Alfie. It looks great! It looks much better standing up than it did with Stephan rolling around with it on the ground. Did you really push him? That was one heavy stick too guys. It took four of us to lift it back on the work supports after it fell off. Wish it was at my house. By the way Alfie, I was admiring your site and was wondering how much you charge for your work. My wife had her eye on one peice you had at the open house that she would like to have.

[mdallensr]

Alfie, thanks for posting the finished totem. It was great watching you and Stephan work on such a big piece. I think it will have a good home where many folks can see it and appreciate it. Mike

[Callynne]

Alfie, how nice to hear from you and to see this great Totem!! I can't tell you how much the hubby (and me!) would love to have it, it would look so perfect down back by the pond! What a great sight that would be to see every time we look out the window!! Thanks for sharing! Deborah (who's still pouting because she couldn't be at Open House!!)

[Ashbys]

Alfie ,
Came out great ! Even if you did push the totem at Stephan .

I watched you guys working on this and when Bob brought his mask and explained about the flat chisels were all that was used , Your skills are really quite impressive.

Stephan does nice work .... ROFL !

Garry

[Tom H]

Great looking Totem! Would look great anywhere. I sure need to put the Open House on my calendar next year...Tom H

[MDWine]

WOW! That's excellent! What folks can't see there is the beautiful grain in the wood, especially where you made deep cuts for the figures. It sure was a pretty piece of wood.

I'll have to go back up to see the finished product!

You do great work, and I have my "spirit-chickadee" in a very conspicuous place. Everyone that has seen it has loved it, but not as much as me!!!

Thanks again!

[Colin_Partridge]

Alfie,
Looks great finished but then it looked great unfinished. Amazing work you and Stephan should be very proud of what you accomplished in just a few short days. Yes we will all remember Stephan chasing that thing around the tent I think he just wanted to carve it on the ground.
Colin

[Fishgap]

Wow thank you all so very much. Your kind words have brought happiness to my heart.
It was a tough go and to you that where there, you probably could see the stress on my face. I figure that with all the talking to people and all, that we really did it in 4 days.
But it was an amazing time and the people of WCI where amazing.
I was only disappointed to find out that this is not an every year event. The last open house was 4 to 5 years ago. Before I even left I was looking forward to the next year.
Well you never know? Maybe we can convince WCI that they need to do this every year.. (grin) as Bob would say.
I am really not good with words but let me try by saying that you where all amazing and meeting all of you was a real honor, and of course to the people that gave my artwork a new home, thank you from my heart. There is no greater pleasure for me to know that my art was worthy of being a part of you life and home, thank you.

Now let me try to clear up this rumor of me pushing Stephan over the totem.
Here is the real story, Stephan and I where carving the pole, I walked away and around a table to get a different gouge. Now when Stephan carves he puts his body weight into the cut so that he can get the tork and long clean cut that he achieves.
Ok that said, I could see that the pole and Stephan where starting to lurch forward partly because the log was not perfectly round on the back side.
Well I tried to run back around the table to catch the back of his overalls but by the time I got there he had gone down with the log with a thundering ground shaking THUMP!
When all the people turned to see what had happened, well there I was standing behind the aftermath looking like I was holding the smoking gun.
And yes! Stephan took full advantage of the seen and said “oh man, why did you push me?� And there I stood with open mouth.
Well that is my story and I am sticking to it.

Sorry to take so much time to respond to this thread, Don by the Lake…. About your question on price? I need to know the piece you are interested in as it could be from 10� to 6ft.. in size .. Please feel free to drop me a line at my personal e-mail and we can discuss it. Fishgap@fishgap.com
Thank you all again.
Alfie