1st relief carving-need help

Micky · #11 10-04-2006, 12:40 PM

I have been crocheting like crazy for the 1st of my fall craft fairs this Saturday, but I have finally done some more work on my dolphins. The rounding and undercutting seem to be going well. I had to resort to sanding to fix all of the little cut lines in the undercut areas. I have also started sanding the top--I like the smooth look better. My last major problem is still the crack in the far right dolphin. I have decided to go with putty instead of glue to fix it, but have not gotten up the courage to do anything on it yet.
Thank you again to everybody for suggestions and advice.
micky
PS--The last two pictures are of Pikes Peak and the changing aspens--couldn't resist adding them as it was a beautiful weekend here.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #12 10-04-2006, 01:03 PM

in the picture, and sometimes pictures are misleading....it looks like you can narrow that dolphin down by cutting away the wood on the right side of the crack, looks like there is plenty of body for the dolphin and enough for the fin? just an idea.

Micky · #13 10-04-2006, 06:29 PM

Thanks Hi-Ho. I thought about that as well in my original post here, but I have been worried about the perspective if he is much smaller than the others. Probably does not matter, and it might be an easier fix.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #14 10-04-2006, 07:48 PM

well hard to go by pictures, but it looks bigger than the others anyway, may just balance out just right! lol

Micky · #15 10-05-2006, 05:43 PM

Keep forgeting to give credit to the author of the pattern. It was in a Weekend Projects book by John Hillyer. Obviously I did some modifications as it was intended to me a plaque and the dolphins were swmimmng sideways.

nadcarves · #16 10-06-2006, 11:00 PM

Too late to be of help.. But,many times when this is happening, you can seal the outside surface, with a wax, and drill out the center...The cracking occured because the outside was drying and shrinking...By sealing the outside and allowing the center to ,now, dry and shrink, it will pull the outside surface in and close up the crack...Does not work every time, but has an excellent track record.. This is a tip from a real maniac, a green Walnut carver, and they are the worst kind..I know a couple....Cordially NAD