We all understand the feeling of finishing a well done carving and generally that is sufficient.

Have you experienced monetary rewards for your carving?

Have you donated your carvings?

Have you had an opportunity to trade carvings with someone while you traveled to a foreign country? In other words, would a Chinese carver be willing to trade a caricature of a cowboy?

Hi Marvin -

The rewards from carving are many - at least for myself. As you mentioned, finishing a good piece is its own reward. I sell most of mine, but have traded some, too (and alot of ornaments!). I haven't traded with anyone outside the U.S., except for an ornament exchange with a person in Australia.

Teri

Marvin,

I love having people want my work, it gives me warm fuzzies

I have sold, given as gifts, exchanged, and even bartered my sticks for permission to cut on private property. I am sure that carvers worldwide would consider an exchange with a fellow carver. I know that several carvers in the Scotland, the UK and Canada participate in the W3E exchanges.

Good whittlin, Cliff
Charles City, Iowa
http://cliffordparker.tripod.com

[Kenny_S]

As i have stated before, I carve a lot of walking staffs for Eagle Scouts. Well, when they become one. Yes, the reward from the looks on their faces is priceless. I have one who has came up to me(he went on to become a minister), and showed me a picture of it leaning against his Church office wall. My son uses it to hike with and he is 23 now. Nut he did come back and ask to refinish it as it has had a lot of use since he received it at 14 year of age.
Yes ,those rewards are more than any amount of money can bring.
Regards to all,
Kenny S

I agree, Kenny - that's a really cool thing you do!! What a pleasure...and a great thing for each of those kids!

Teri

I have never sold a carving ... have had several opportunities, but just gave them away instead. Have given them as gifts for Christmans, birthdays, etc. Funny you should mention trading with Chinese carvers ... have a few floating around Taiwan and have gotten a few in return, but it's all inlaws so that's probably cheating. As for monetary rewards, I'm retired so really haven't been interested in that aspect. But do get a lot of reward from giving them away and just doing the carving.