Why join a carving club

[jmischel]

I joined the local carving club (Central Texas Woodcarvers Association) back in July, figuring I could learn a thing or two about this particular obsession. The club has formal meetings once a month, and has informal carving get togethers every Wednesday morning.

It's nice to sit down and chat with other carvers and share a few laughs while carving, but all in all I was pretty disappointed with the whole "learning" aspect. Granted, I learned a few things from looking at others' carvings, and a couple of demonstrations were interesting, but all in all the learning was pretty light. I've learned a lot more in a lot less time by following Gene Messer's excellent YouTube videos.

Until today.

I was carving another of my little dogs, and I idly mentioned to one of the other carvers that I was trying to add a bit more detail. He grabbed a pencil, a scrap of wood, made some marks while explaining what he was doing, made three or four cuts in the scrap to show me what he meant, and said, "Is that what you were looking for?" It was one of the fastest and most effective lessons I've ever received for anything!

He also offered some unvarnished and much appreciated critical commentary on the piece I was working on. "Good job" is nice to hear, but "here's what you did wrong and how you can improve" is much more useful.

I've never had a difficult time asking for help, but I'm reluctant to ask a second time when the first explanation isn't sufficient. I've also been reluctant to sit and listen when somebody offers more than I've asked for. No longer! In just a couple of minutes, this generous carver showed me how to do a few things I'd been struggling with since I started carving in April.

That, in my opinion, is the major benefit of joining a carving club. Everybody is friendly, which is okay, but a few are incredibly forthcoming with information and, more importantly, know how to present it effectively.

By the way, he also offered to teach a beginner's carving class at his house: an offer which I and several others have accepted. In the past I had some doubts about attending any kind of class (having been disappointed with other kinds of classes in the past), but I'm betting that my carving will improve tremendously with this one.

Thank you to all the experienced carvers who offer your help so willingly. I, for one, appreciate it.

[Iowa Carver]

Good for you jim. Keep in mind, many just aren't comfortable showing others how to do things. Some can't show others or don't know how to go about it. Some don't care to share, there are always those about. I am fortunate, I have learned a lot at our club and there are many willing to share. I hope to pay that back soon and I try to help others whenever I can.

Corey

[bigEd_H]

Good post, Jim. I've been invited to join a club near here, but they meet about 20 miles from here. I'd like to be able to get together with other carvers for informal carving sessions. I don't know if there are any other carvers close enough to make that possible, though.

I wish you the best with your club and new friends and I look forward to seeing what you learn from your lessons. Best of luck.

[Donsexton]

I wish I had a club to join it would be fun.

[LBlake]

I found a local carving group a few weeks ago, and in addition to the sort of thing you describe, I also learned about two other local groups, learned about many carving shows, and other events of interest. Oh - and good suggestions for sources of wood, too. Sometimes they've even brought in some spare pieces to share. They're also just really nice folks. So, I agree - lots of benefit!

[Paul_Guraedy]

I started carving a long time ago and the remote assignments I had as a park ranger kept me from participating in a carving club. When I retired I joined the Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers. We meet in Kimberling City which is 45 miles one way from Whooping Hollow. Luckily, I am used to traveling for services (anything under 125 miles one way is considered reasonable) of any kind and continue to feel that way. I only meet with the Club about 3-4 times a year and it is well worth it.

In the interim I also invite Club Members (and other carvers) to the ranch several times a year and get one of my frien's to do some intstructing. Currently we are concentrating on bark carving.

If at all possible, I recommend joining a club....even if regular participation is not an option.

[Pracuss]

As an officer in a local club, I get asked this question a lot. My answer is this; We teach safety. We teach sharpening and there's a few hundred years of experience just hanging around carving at every meeting. Dues are cheap, coffee's free and it gets you out of the house for a few hours each week.

[Ken]

I joined the local one this year. The benefits are many. I found "you're never too old." One lady celebrated her 90th this year and carves dolls that almost talk. A gentleman who never misses, joined the club 27 years ago when he retired, (he is on the Board), and Bernie always brings his toolbox and several projects he is working on celebrated his 96th a few months back. There are a number of younger ones in their 80's. Gives us middle 70ers something to strive for.
Also, for inspiration, one lady is blind, has been for years. Carves animals & shoes. (She doesn't remember what most animals look like, so uses plastic ones from toy stores to feel for her patterns.) Does a great job, and always wants to "see" what you are carving. I started drawing patterns for her with a v gouge so she can "see them" She wants to carve faces. If you want to get real nervous, go in her shop, she has a radial arm saw, table saw, cutoff saw, drill press, sanders, and turns bowls and pens on a large jet lathe. One problem she has that makes you smile, she has to ask someone if she is bleeding when she thinks she cut herself.

And you think have problems with carving details?

Join if you can, you may find you give more than you receive. Wouldn't that be nice.

Ken

[Spooker]

I would love to belong to a carving club as I'm struggling with improving and it's always nice to share your craft with like minded individuals. Saddly Maine has 8-9 formal carving clubs and they are all about 2 hours away from me in any direction. The closest is about 1.5 hrs away and involves driving accross the causeway so that's out. I keep hoping to stumble onto a local club but to no avail.

Spooker

[Kadiddle]

Joining a club is a great way to meet other carvers and feed from many versions of carving styles. However,one may have to start a club. There may be some locals with some great talent who kind of stay in the closet. You know.
Carve On,
Kadiddle