Beginning Woodworker from Oklahoma

Tessla · #1 05-10-2008, 08:26 AM

Greetings to all:
I've always been interested in working with wood. Just don't know where to really start other than sanding some things and getting a feel for someone else's so called finished product.

Yep, I sand those pesky wooden Kitchen Utensils that are not sanded and sometimes incredibly rough. I sand with different grades of paper until they are as satin smooth as I can get them, then oil with food-grade Mineral Oil.

Like I said, Beginning Woodworker. I'm very safety conscious about working with tools and cutting myself....I don't heal so fast these days. I guess I've let my safety concerns put me off, and never started cutting into anything. I think my first work should be a chicken.

Tessla

Lynn O. Doughty · #2 05-10-2008, 08:36 AM

Welcome to the forum Tessla. What part of OK are you located in. I'm up here in the northeast corner between Grove and Jay.

Tessla · #3 05-10-2008, 08:51 AM

I'm in a Bedroom community outside Tulsa. I'm a bonified Oklahoman. Born in Oklahoma, raised and schooled here.

I moved away from Oklahoma in 1967 and returned in '88.
Long enough to know I belong in these here hills and woods.
Tessla

Lynn O. Doughty · #4 05-10-2008, 08:59 AM

The Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarving show is coming up on July 11-12. You can get lots of tips there along with anything you might need to get started. Nice organization to join too.

Tessla · #5 05-10-2008, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the heads up. However, I'm afraid I'll be stuck with what I learn with my own two hands and whatever books and/or Videos I find.

I love classes and learn a lot that way, but don't drive any more and won't bother anyone to take me anywhere for the time being.

I read your blog thingie. Some really cute ideas there. I don't really know what I want to carve. I'm more into the realistic looking animals and want to make some spoons, but I get bored easily, so I'm also learning to bake bread.

I went to a garage sale 2 years ago and found a carved cedar piece over 18 inches high. I knew immediately it was a Madona and Child in a very basic shape (no detail at all), but everyone in my family saw a clenched fist. Goes to show!!! The piece is beautifully sanded, silky smooth, and you just want to sit and stroke the figure.

Its safe to say there is no telling what I'll do. At one time I poured, sanded greenware, and stained the finished bisque with lifelike colors. I found that extremely compelling, enjoyed it thoroughly. Several moves lost all my molds, paints and supplies. Never enough room or money to replace all that.

Thanks for the response.

Tessla

Keoma · #6 05-10-2008, 12:59 PM

welcome welcome! I can tell by your love of the Madonna statue that you love wood and what you can do with it! That is all the start you need! I'm glad you joined us! You'll find this a very helpful forum and very friendly. Have questions? Just ask-every woodworker I know((Me in cluded)) Loves to talk about carving and tools!

Ashbys · #7 05-10-2008, 01:18 PM

Welcome !

If you take the plunge , you will never want to get out of the pool

Ash

Donna_T · #8 05-11-2008, 06:43 PM

Welcome Tessla,
I'm just up the road from Lynn in SW Missouri so I'm not too far away. Lots of new carvers can learn by reading and experimenting, but it's sure easier with support of a local club and a few shows--it nothing else but to be able to see a wide variety of carving tools and supplies. If you can't get out and drive, then just pull up a chair and sit a spell and scroll back through year's of posting here on this website. There's not much about carving that we've not discussed repeatedly, but you know, we learn something new all the time because someone has experimented and found yet another way to do something.

Glad you've found this great resource--come back often.

Donna T

Tessla · #9 05-16-2008, 02:17 PM

Thanks for the warm welcomes and encouragement.

I feel the need to move toward the Modonna and Child for some reason. I'm not Catholic but feel such a connection to Mother and Child images. It doesn't matter whether its Holiday cards, stamps, all the statues I've seen over the years or the ceramics I've painted, I'm always interested.

Once I get a set of tools and some Basswood, I'll be working and hoping not to ruin too many pieces of wood. And yes, safety gloves, thumb guards, and good sharp tools are on my agenda.

Tessla

RussL. · #10 05-16-2008, 02:46 PM

Greetings!

One of the handiest things to know about woodcarving I picked up from a DVD by the woodcarver Nora Hall when she said: "In woodcarving there are no mistakes, only design changes."

She's been doing this a long time and has a remarkably "common-sense" air about her.

In the end, it's just a piece of wood.
Grab something sharp, put on a glove (or double-glove as I've taken to doing when carving with a knife), and jump right in!

All the best,

RussL.