Paper Birch Spirit Stick

[chuckt]

Well, this was worked on in a bark carving woodspirit class with Mike Bloomquist at NEWR last summer. I had taken his woodspirit class the year before but wanted to do one at a smaller scale for hiking sticks. I tried to give the beard the curly cue Shawn Cipa treatment. Unfortunately, I popped a chip out of the right eye when I was working on it, and had to crazy glue it back, so it looks a little messed up. I never fully completed this carving either (story of my life - everything is a WIP that never progresses! <sigh>).

Still - figured since I'd never posted a pic I ought to get around to it before THIS years NEWR. Red Face

My cuts are still not as clean as I'd like them to be. But things have progressed a little in the 4 years from my "First Carving" (posted in Lynn's First Carving thread).

ChuckT

[MelNM]

He looks good to me Chuck. I've had the same problem of having a carving get a boo boo and stopped carving it. Eyes seem to be a critical spot in carving process. Usually before I go at them I sharpen up the tool I'm going to use on them, which is mainly a detail knife, my favorite is the Ferguson detail knife, its stiff and holds a great edge.
Mel

[Merle Rice]

Hi Chuckt, I don't see anything for you to feel bad about. Smooth it out with a piece of sand paper ands put a finish on it and you should like it. Never give up. Merle

[Kenny_S]

jolly good stick Chuck. One to be proud off. Now put a finish on it and call it complete, ya hear.

[chuckt]

Thanks guys. Yeah - maybe I'll hit it quickly with some sandpaper and spray on a clear satin finish and call it done. Thanks for the encouragement.

ChuckT

[gene-messer]

Great looking spirit Chuck .. Like the natural look ..

Gene

[Iowa Carver]

I like it and agree with Kenny then you can move on to the next one!

Corey

[Ron T]

Hi Chuckt,

Jolly good job and the curly-q beard is a very nice touch.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with a dozen WIPs. My resolution this year is to finish them, but I'm still tempted to start something new almost evryday.

If you look at the Indian's eyes on my "Finally finished a stick" post, you can see it's white. I messed up his eyes and ended up with sockets. I filled them in with wood epoxy putty and drew in his pupils using a pencil. Next time I'll use a brown color pencil.

[Mottles]

Nice looking woodspirit stick Chuck, glad you posted the image. Would have hated to miss it! Good JOb.