[big_Wayne_P]

Howdy folks
My name is Wayne
I am 53 years old
Spent the first 49 years of my life in Georgia
Moved to Texas in 1999
My nick Big Wayne refers to my size
I am about 290 lbs hence the nick Big Wayne
had to leave work in 2003 on MEDICAL DISABILITY
now on Social Security Disability

started carving a little when I was about 10
quit when I was about 14

Did not carve anymore untill I became disabled in July 2003
needed a cane to walk at the time
bought a cheap one at drug store but wanted a nicer 1
looked around on the internet and all the nice canes were expensive
decided to make my own country style cane
started making canes and hiking sticks

then started carving wood spirits in them
I primarily now carve wood spirits
Have carved a bird or 2
do not really enjoy bird carving
carved a couple of dogs
carved a few Christmas ornaments

Thinking of ordering the book carving small characters
and the small people patterns book
still prefer wood spirits
but thought I would branch out a little further

I am primarilly self taught
by reading some of the carving books

Learned a lot from this board since i joined this site in 2003

[Donna_T]

Hey Wayne,
Sorry about how you came to carve, but glad you're carving. And, glad you're on this message board. Hate it that you're down south where it's all warm and sunny....tough life!

I did some "little people" carving projects with our carving club a few years ago and some of our "big" fellas had problems holding and detailing little 3" people, so I started photocopying the patterns and blowing them up double or so. Sure made it easier for them to hang onto--especially thil they got used to doing that kind of small project.

It's good that you're trying different kinds of carving--you might find something that you reallly, realllllly like that way.

Donna T

[big_Wayne_P]

Thanks Donna

I have been doing wood spirits on sticks and canes so i hope i can do the small characters

[wood-whittler]

big wayne

if you are gonna start carving little people i have a tip for you
instead of cutting the blocks 2 or 3 inches long start with a stick of wood the size you wanna use but have it about 6-12 inches long then you have something to hold onto then when you are finished with it just cut it off and start again. i take a stick and pocketknife with me to work and carve during my lunch hour sometimes makes the day a whole lot better.well good luck with it and just have fun

[rolds]

Wayne what part of TX are you in?
I'm spending the winter in Alamo (85 yesterday) till March then take a month or so back to Michigan.. Just went to the woodcarving show in Mcallen yesterday it was a big show lots of great carvings and supplies!