Robert Stadtlander Relief Carving Seminar, Conewago Carvers Club

[MTnative]

I am happily exhausted after getting home from attending my very first relief carving class. I have been carving in-the-round for about two years now and have been wanting to try relief carving. I had tried on my own but I really need a good teacher to help me get over the ‘newbie’ stumbling blocks. I had never met Bob before but knew of his work both in Chip Chats and Woodcarving Illustrated. When I realized I could actually make this trip I jumped at the chance.

This was a last minute decision for me. The night before the class was to begin I called Jim Hiser to ask if there was still space available and lucky for me someone had just withdrawn that day. Jim then went above and beyond by providing me with all of the information I would need to make the trip and my stay as comfortable as possible. When I arrived the Club members were genuinely pleased to see each of us there and made sure we all had whatever we needed to feel right at home.

The class was held in the basement of the East Berlin (PA) Area Community Center, where the Club meets monthly. I can not say enough about how well organized everything was. Bob was a great teacher. He judged the skill levels of each of the attendees and focused his group and individual instruction accordingly. His ability to articulate his techniques were clear and simple. His constant words of encouragement made me feel comfortable with my novice abilities. By the end of the weekend I left having made new friends and with a feeling of excitement to get home and challenge myself even more. I can’t wait for the weekend to get here so I can finish the project I started in this class and then carver another one.

The Conewago Carvers Club sponsors seminars, almost monthly, throughout the year. The Club brings in some of the best instructors available today and makes every effort to make sure attendees have a successful and positive learning experience. I highly recommend carvers take the opportunity to attend Club meetings and/or one of their many seminars. You can find more information at: www/conewagocarvers.tripod.com or call Jim Hiser at (717) 243-0644.

Jane Henson
Elkin, NC

Pic1 - Robert Stadtlander
Pic2 - Bob showing how to start detailing rock siding
Pic3 - Bob showing how to start detailing windows and doors
Pic3 - the project I chose to work on

[Anthony Filetti]

Nicely done Jane. Bob is a great guy (he belongs to a club just west of here) and a fine carver too. I too will be traveling down to Jim Hisers club later this year for a Dave Stetsopn class and I am looking forward to making the trip.

Keep up the great carving!

[idigjars]

Very nice job Jane. Thanks for sharing. Paul

[MTnative]

Thanks Tony and Paul,
I learned soooo much from Bob. Your right, he is a great guy too. I have no doubt your class with Dave Stetson will be just as fullfilling. And fun too,

Jane

[uvawyo]

That is a really nice carving of the barn, good painting too. Thanks for posting.

[kdispoto]

Your project came out fantastic. What type of wood is it?

[bzcarvn]

Anthony I'll see you in the Stetson class in Oct. I've been in several class at East Berlin and they are all first class. Jim and the Conewago club due great job.

[Jim Hiser]

Hi Jane, I’m glad to see that you made it home safely and that you had a good time at the class. We appreciate you making the 8 hour drive and happy that it was such a good experience for you. Bob always does a good class. There are a lot of good people in the carving community and you were able to share a weekend with some of them. On behalf of myself and the Conewago Carvers I appreciate your kind words about the club and the seminars. I hope to see you in another class sometime.
Jim