The pleasure of giving away a carving

[gtech]

Last week-end, I gave one of the pinguins I carved this winter to a niece who signs with a pinguin beside her name. At her school, her friends and her identified themselves with different animals like that.

Now she has a mascot to put on her desk and she loves it. And it felt great to see that something I carved had this effect. No money can buy that feeling.

That same week-end, my wife went to visit her family that are a few hours away from where I live. She had her Itouch with her and could show photos of some of my carvings that she keeps in her Itouch to show people when they ask about what I do.

And it's funny because her niece and her boyfriend asked to buy a carving from me. What is really funny and surprising is that the father of that boyfriend is already a carver by trade, and that boyfriend of my niece also do some woodwork. But they liked the wood spirits and the masks that I carved so much that they would like to have one for an old house they are moving in, and that niece's boyfriend is trying to do everything with his hands in the renovations he is doing in the house. I must say that I was surprised to learn that.

So I will try to carve something to give them when they are finished decorating the house, but I won't ask any money for it. It will be a gift. It will make it even more fun to see that it will be appreciated.

I love that feeling.

Gilles

[Grayhorn]

Gilles, You are right on the giving. I have not sold a thing and all mine are given to those that appreciate. Some ask just for the getting and I usually know so am more hesitant. But I always know when it is going to be a valued gift and give it willingly. Especially to the very young or elderly. Thanks for the post. Al

[aulddiy]

Gilles and I have discussed this recently. We agree that the reward is in the gving . My wife works different level of disabled people. A daft wee carving can bring a lot of pleasure if your on your back 24/7. One man has has another shelf added to his room, filling that for him will take for ever.

[Mark Dellinger]

Giles,
The giving is a great thing! The appreciation makes it all worth while.

Mark

[gtech]

Originally Posted by Grayhorn

.... Some ask just for the getting and I usually know so am more hesitant. But I always know when it is going to be a valued gift and give it willingly. Especially to the very young or elderly.... Al

Absolutely... I can be very conservative with some people, and very willing to share and give away when I feel it is worth it.

Gilles

[gene-messer]

Theres nothing like sharing what you learn

Gene

[Soggy]

I agree with you on that one Gilles. Money can't buy the feeling that you can get from giving a carving to someone who really appreciates it. I have a box of "practice pieces" out in my repaire shop. Stuff that I have done when I wasn't busy making a living; just little odds and ends..............whenever a customer comes in to pick up their machinery and they have a youngster with them, I let the kid pick something from the box. You can't put a price on the smiles on their faces
Wayne

[Donsexton]

I have a standing order well more like a request of family and friends. If I give you something and later your décor changes let me know please don’t throw it away. Most of the things I give away are rather large and made for the porch or garden. It is wood and left outside long enough it will return to the earth.

[LBlake]

I totally agree - I think that is part of my affection for lovespoons: they are meant to be given away. Now, I have started making them to sell, but I am always most excited when there's an occasion to make one to give away.

[gtech]

You know what people like the most? Wood Spirits.

It is something they never saw or not often, almost remember sometimes of what it is (heu... a spirit something? yey I heard about that once...), and not a lot of carvers carve them around here.

The green spirit is what they like the most, because it is not as scarry as the other ones and they like when they have the feeling that the spirit seems to look at them.

That's what I noticed mostly.

Oh, and they like flat planes too...

Gilles