Hello from Liverpool, Nova Scotia

[LizB]

Hello All,
I signed up awhile back but have never posted so I will jump in and say Hi!
I am a Mom of two and run a business with my husband in our small town. I learned to carve in 1993 and in 2001 I started carving every day and folks wanted to buy them. Next thing I knew I was a full time carver. I sold at shows and from my studio but my husband was working for a not-so-great company (he's a cook) So, with inspiration from our friends Keith and Anne Matheson in Pictou and their carvers cafe, we opened the Woodpile Carvings & Cafe. We have a small but delicious menu and I have my carving studio right on the premises. When we aren't too busy, I carve while people drink coffee and eat. The combination works well!! Pics of it on my website www.woodpilecarvings.com
I am now moving from my usual carvings of spirits and Santas and trying to gain some skill so I can become a better carver. I am using Chris Pye as my teacher (his writings and teachings) and my next big work is a mantle. I love to carve but I love the community of carvers and the sense of connection there is between us just as much. I can always see a carver when one comes through my door because his eyes start to shine when he or she sees me tapping away in my studio!
Glad to find this great community.
LizB

[Eddy-Smiles]

I always thought Liverpool was in England and Paul, George, John and Ringo came from there! Never mind.... Nice work! What do you finish your carvings with? Looks like a quaint little place to have a bite to eat. What's your husband's specialty?

[GeorgiaCarver]

Welcome aboard, really nice work and I am envious of your carving/cafe business! My wife is begging me to take her to Nova Scotia on the way to PEI..... Really don't know alot about Nova Scotia though. I have been doing research but it is confusing.

Anyway, I guess I am off topic! Again, thank you for posting and I look forward to seeing more of your post.

Greg

[gene-messer]

Liz ... Welcome .. your Santa's are beautiful ... and your angels are great ..
What a unique way to run a business .. I would love to visit your cafe someday ...
Gald to have such a good carver with us ..

[Gergie]

My wife and also own a restaurant and I carve, but I'm way to messy. She would never let me close to the restaurant. But what a cool idea . maybe when we retire to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota we could start such an adventure. Welcome aboard.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Lizb! Liverpool eh, home of the Rover! Old privateering town that, and now home to a carvers cafe! Great idea, I wish you every success. I know Anne and Keith, so please say hi when you see them again. Fine folks those and Keith's a great carver. Hope you enjoy the message board here as much as I do, there are some wonderful folks on here.

Bob

[Irishman]

Hello Liz,

I haven't been posting much lately...just scanning messages to stay in touch with everyone...but I have time on my hands today as I am "storm stayed" (PEI term) here in PEI while visiting family and friends. I now reside in NS - New Glasgow area, so I'm not too far from your parts. You have some nice carvings on your site, and like the rest have said - I'd like to get down and visit your cafe. Keith M. was my instructor so you might see some of his influence in my carvings. Like you I am trying to branch out and hope to begin laminating wood together to do more in the round type carving. Glad you could join the group.

Patrick

[PA KArver]

I like your work. The idea of combining a Cafe and carving is great!
Keep up the good work and Good Luck with your Cafe.

Dan S.

[LizB]

Thanks everyonne for the kind greetings and remarks. I will answer a couple questions too. I finish the Santas with an antiquing gel and then a clear satin varnish. The key,especially when using acrylic paint, is to rub the paint thoroughly with a wool sock to give it that well-worn look.

As for the food, Mike is known for fresh, consistent, and delicious. Our soups are becoming famous (over 20 varieties) and are made from scratch every day. We bake all the sweets on site and the coffee is fresh ground and wonderful. It is a great thing to create a meeting place for your friends and neighbors in town. We are really happy to be there.
And Greg, you would love NS--go to the NS website to see what we have to offer.
And as for the Beatles, well,maybe not but Hank Snow was born here and Bobby Curtola lives just down the street and every other person I know plays music!! It's a lively spot.
Cheers,
LizB

[Eddy-Smiles]

Home made soup?! Sweets baked daily? Fresh coffee? And the home of Hank Snow to boot? Now I know that I've got to make a visit! Thanks for sharing.