[jillsy]

There's such a diverse group of people here, I was wondering what lead you to woodcarving? And isn't it fascinating how people with such different backgrounds, occupations, and experiences can all share the same common bond?

[Colin_Partridge]

I did this on a thread a few years ago I too wondered where people got their inspiration from. Mine was when I was in the army in Germany some fourty years ago. There I saw roots with old mens faces carved into them and when I retired I was walking on a beach on the west coast and saw mountains of driftwood piled up. I picked up a piece that I thought had a face in it so with a pocket knife I whittled out a face. I have been addicted since.
Colin

[Mitchell]

My first carving was made about 25 or more years ago when I was too "cheap" to buy my sister a birthday present. She collected pigs and I decided to carve one similar to one I saw in a store. I carved a few items during that time frame, but quit due to work constraints.

I started back carving about 10 years ago, but still have had spells where I do (did) not carve - sometimes for months. Thankfully, those spells are getting less frequent and shorter in duration.

[Tom H]

Started out teaching woodworking. Ended up retiring from a university at 50. Started making cabinets and other items from wood in order to stay out from under my wifes feet. Begain making Noahs Arks and the pairs of animals too. Made lots of big hutches and stepbacks for customers. Big hutches and cabinets were becoming too big and heavy to handle anymore, still wanted to work wood, but needed to go smaller. Decided to add more detail to Noahs Arks animals and that involved carving. Began with power, but now use knife and palm chisels. Been trying to learn knife and chisel carving for about one year now. Interesting enough is the idea that I started out with big hutches and stepbacks and wanted to go smaller. My latest attempts have been the Jenga Blocks. From huge to tiny. As long as I am creating something I am happy. Tom H

[Nancy-ID]

In "81" I started a relief carving of a race horse and jocky using an Exacto set. I don't remember why or how I decided to start carving, but I have always had a need to create things. Did all kinds of artsy/crafty things. The Exacto tools where really hard to use for me and I really had no clue as to what I was doing. I ended up single again and working several jobs to support myself and son so all the craft stuff went on hold for many years. About a year ago I decided to try carving again, and again started with the exacto tools. My now husband mentioned it to his brother and he sent me some nice Flexcut knives, a gouge and v-tool, a book and a block of basswood. It's been all uphill from there

[whitecree]

I'd always been fascinated with totem poles, masks and other carved items from the west coast, even as a kid.

Then, in 1993 I helped an 80 year old Clan Chief carve a 42 foot canoe out of a large red cedar log. One of his other helpers showed me how to make a paddle using nothing more than an adze and a knife. That did it. I was hooked.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I grew up in an era, and part of the country, where everybody (well only most girls), carried a pocket knife. Yup, we even carried them to school ... GASP! I can't remember a time when I wasn't whittling a whistle, boat, or some other toy. On a more practical side fishing floats, spear fishing decoys, stretcher boards for weasel, muskrat, and mink skins, etc.

[Ron Davidson]

I worked with wood all most all my life and when my eyesight failed to let me continue running saws and such I started carving to keep busy and from going nuts. Now that I don't much sight at all I continue because I enjoy it and it keeps me out of trouble.

[whosinpower]

A friend of mine invited me to go see a wildlife art show and competition last October. While we were there, and as we were checking out the lovely wood carvings, she stated she would like to learn how to carve birds. I stated, "Let's just do it!"

So, with absolutely no clue how to get started, we asked Cam Merkle what was involved and how to get going. He was extremely helpful - recommended a couple of books and some tools.

With book in hand, I began my first bird - a robin. What I discovered about myself was that even though I had no experience in wood carving - I absolutely loved doing it! I finished the robin in a couple of weeks and took it out to Cam to show him. His critique further encouraged me. Thus, began my carving hobby. Everyone in the carving community here is awesome. They are so open, helpful and encouraging.

I recently took a loon carving class from Harvey Welch and came away comletely inspired. You can see my efforts in the bird carving forum.

I felt kinda funny getting into bird carving....most of the master carvers here are older, retired men....and I am a middle aged lowly female. But, they have made me feel welcome in their world, with their friendly banter and encouragement.

The bird carving community here is quite active and closely knit. And they are all extremely competent and talented. I feel blessed that they would happily include me in their world even though I am a rank beginner.

[rick-in-seattle]

This is pretty much how it happened that I started whittlin'.

Sometimes, we are forced into situations that at the moment, don’t seem very enjoyable. There was the time the alligator would not move out of the road so I could get by; forcing me to take the short-coarse in wrestling alligators.

One November, I had the opportunity to field dress a bull elk in the middle of a river; now that is a skill that could be quite useful.
Should I ever break my back, I received valuable training that day at walking with numb legs. I wish I had a better teacher, perhaps one that could have taught me to walk on water.

Being prepared and properly trained for every situation is quite difficult, even for someone who was a cub scout for nearly a whole week.

I would have benefited from some one-on-one in sharpening a Barlow early in life, it sure would have made my introduction to whittling go smoother. How a beaver can chew through a fair sized cottonwood in just a few hours is beyond me; I suppose they are trained early on the proper method of chewing down a tree.
While just whittling a handful of branches can take me all night.

Events converged and conspired to force whittling upon me; I had no desire to make chips before that day.

I was camping with Del Scruggs in our Army surplus tents down by Goose Creek. Our plan was to spend a couple days and nights fishing and camping while working our way down the creek and back to town.

The first day we spent swimming and tearing apart a small beaver dam.
By nightfall we were plumb tuckered out when we crawled into out pup-tents.
I suppose it was around 2 AM when I decided to take up whittling; I grabbed the nearest branch and went at it like a boy possessed. Once I got started, it was quite rewarding to finish a branch and then jump right in working on the next one. I kept at it all through the night, when the sun came up I had quite a pile of chips.

Somehow Delbert had the same idea and had a nice pile of chips also. For a beaver to chew through a fair sized cottonwood in just a few hours is impressive; but to drop it with such accuracy and purpose is truly amazing. I suppose that night soured me on carving Cottonwood, and tearing apart beaver dams.