Greetings from Georgia

[Dusty Buffalo]

My name is Kelly and I live about an hour south of Atlanta.

I've been doing different types of woodworking crafts for about 2 years. I absolutely love it. I did an intarsia piece a few months ago and tried adding some minor detail lines. I found a really inexpensive (cheap) set of 10 knives/gouges at Michaels to just try out and see how I like it before spending too much and finding out this wasn't for me. I enjoy scroll sawing and painting but find I really enjoy carving so much more. So I ordered the begginers kit from Rick's website. I can't wait until it gets here so maybe I can start on some serious pieces.

I'm really drawn to nature for my carvings, although I haven't actually done one yet. We live on about 20 acres and have all sorts of wild critters come to visit. The lastest being a couple of coyotes. But we have deer, turkey, oppossum, an owl or two, a raccoon once in a while and we've even had a fox once. I've really gotten into watching the birds and would love to be able to carve birds and ducks. I would love to do flowers also. There's a small piece every now and then on DIY about this very talented man the carves out birds and flowers that if you didn't know better were actually real. I would love to see a whole show on his talents. Just incredible.

I also love old cars, mostly 40s and 50s models. My husband got me hooked on them. We went to a car show for our first date. I want to do a relief carving of a '57 Chevy Bel Air that I created a pattern of. The most carving I've done so far, is a straight line on a business card holder I'm making for my boss. It's in the shape of a golf green, which he loves. The cheap knives and my Dremel seem to do the trick for now, but then it's not real hard to carve a straight line.

I've seen a few hints about using fruits and veggies as practice, which sounds like a pretty good idea. At least that way, if it doesn't turn out, I can feed it to the dogs and nobody will see it. Wink

Thanks for reading. Happy carving.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Kelly. You're going to love carving, wait till you get your kit from Rick....carving is a blast! Very relaxing, inspirational and you meet the nicest people! Have fun, and don't ever worry about making mistakes, it's just wood and you can practice all you want. Careful, it can be addictive! Smile

Bob

[Thor]

Hi Kelly,
I am also in Georgia, but about 1 hour north of Atlanta in Lumpkin County.
It sounds like you're already well into carving with your kit coming from Ricks.
Good luck with it, and if you're ever up here in the foothills, drop into my place. http://www.funkychickenartproject.com
We're having our second "monthy" carvers gathering here this Saturday from noon til about 3:00. There is no cost and no agenda, just fun. You are welcome to come join us.

Thor

[Tom-H]

Hey Kelly, Welcome! Everyones right about woodcarvers and their willingness to share. This Board can truly be a great assistance to the new or newer carver. Just when I think my carving or whittling is not progressing there is support from members of this board. I am still trying to carve a straight line. The expertise and experience of the members is deep, wide , and varying. I am learning every day from the various postings, as you will too. Glad for another new carver. Tom H

[Mottles]

Hey Kelly, welcome will look forward to seeing your work. Lot's of terrific folks here on the WCI boards.
Kathy

[Dusty Buffalo]

Thor,

Thanks for the invite. I would love to visit your group at some time, but unfortunately it's race weekend and we live about 10 miles from Atlanta Motor Speedway. During race weekend, we don't venture far from home. WAY too much traffic.

Dahlonega isn't that far really, I drive to Buckhead every day to work so another few miles won't matter that much. I will definitely keep you in mind for next month as my carving kit should be here.

Kelly

[Bartster]

kelly,

welcome to the board i am also in georgia about 2 1/2 to 3 hours south of you. if you have any questions just ask.the wonderful thing about this board is that you can ask one question and get about ten answers and about a dozen ideas that spawn off of that. these are some of the finest folks you will ever meet here,

bart