First time to post

[Donald K. Mertz]

This is Donald K. Mertz, the WOOD BEE CARVER who is attempting to make his first post to the message board. I have visited this site in the past, but will try to get more involved. I have been carving since the early 1970's carving in a style I call "Whittle-carving" that is, carving only with a knife. For nine years I taught at War Eagle and have taught Whittle-carving in Southwest Ohio where I live. As the WOOD BEE CARVER my motto is: "Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood." which means that as woodcarving is a learning-by-doing folk art, the only way any carver will grow as a wood carver is to carve wood. And the "would be" part means that we are continuously learning with each carving project. While my first love to to Whittle-carve only with a knife, I do try to carve with the "real carving tools" and takes classes from the good teachers around in the various seminars, but then I learn from every wood carver because we all have something to share and wood carvers are a very sharing and friendly group. So, I am glad to be a part of this forum and await your lessons learned and those yet to be learned. I retired a year ago following 39 years as a pastor of Disciples of Christ churches and in retirement I now carve about 6 hours a day and loaf in between. Just like carving, loafing is fun. Let's have more fun. Don

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Welcome Don....I think we are all "would be carvers" lol

[tnartist05]

AWWWwwwwwwwwww SIR! Most of older master carvers were whittlers! We sure would enjoy viewing some of your carvings when you are ready. Hope you enjoy this board and forum,tons of nice people here always ready to give some advise and help! ::::WELCOMEonald

[Bartster]

welcome don,

glad to have you here i am a big fan of your work, i hope i will get to meet you in dollywood in october, and see more of your work.

bart

[Donald K. Mertz]

Can any old timer guide me in how I can submit photos of some of my carvings? I need your help. Don Mertz, the WOOD BEE CARVER

[Bartster]

don,

if you go to the faq section at the bottom of the main board it will tell you how to upload photos in the carvers gallery. hope this helps.

bart

[tnartist05]

Go where you posted your 1st meassage here but click on advace and on it you will see manage photos,click on it,a small screen will pop up,MAKE sure your picts are smaller ones,on the board posting a picture they have to be really small BUTttttttttttt if you post some pictures on Carvers Galleries you can leave them the size you have. Hope this helps!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

There goes the neighborhood!!! Now we're going to have to clean up our language! (Only kidding!) Welcome Don. Great to be able to communicate on a little more frequent basis!!

[gene-messer]

Welcome Don .. It is so good to have such a wonderful carver as yourself on the forum ..

What work I have seen of your's is great and please show us some pic's ..

I too, like only to carve with a knife , but your work is far surpass anything I could ever do ...

It is so good to have you here and your tip's on carving like this will be vital ..

Thanks again

Gene

[santagibbs]

What an honor it is to have you with us Don, Your carvings are just the best and I just love my Santa you carved for me.. Such detail that you have in your carvings.. I have read your articles in " Chip Chat" and know the quality of your work . We are very glad to have your on this board... There are some wonderful people on this chat line.. Now if you could incourage Larry Piety to chat too that would neat as he has so much knowledge to share too.. It's great to have you and I will see if I can send you some information on posting thumb nails.. Well, I goof up so hummmmm...wonder if I should.. Charlotte