[oddsoxx]

Hi everyone,

I'm very new to the art of woodcarving but I can already tell this is the place to come for information and advice.

I carved a clock face several years ago and it came out okay...not perfect by any means, but okay. Unfortunately, I got busy with other things and eventually sold all my tools. Now I'm interested in learning to carve 3D items, specifically dolls, and will, no doubt, need lots of advice from all the experts here. I hope I don't drive everyone crazy with my novice questions.

A bit about myself, I'm retired, live in Central New Mexico with my husband and teenage son and besides woodcarving, I love to quilt, do needlepoint, mess around with computers and read...not necessarily in that order.

Thanks in advance for the help I'm sure to receive from the group.

Linda

[wood-whittler]

linda,


hello and welcome to the board, if you are interested in carving dolls, tom and nancy wolfe did a book on carving dolls, shows carving the face hands and feet and then making the clothes and body, do a search on the web for it, it was published by schiffer publishing, hope this helps.


bart

[slather]

Welcome Linda , you came to the right place , very helpful knowledgeable people here

[Mottles]

Hi Linda, welcome cute 'Avatar'. We have some wonderful carvers and woodburners on this site and always ready to help a fellow carver.
Kathy

[oddsoxx]

Thanks everyone for such a warm welcome. And thanks too, for the information on the doll carving book. I'm going to Google that right away.

I will no doubt be asking lots of questions so I hope this is a patient group! <G>

Linda

[Larry A.]

Hi Linda:
And welcome from a fellow New Mexican. I'm new to carving too, and find it relaxing, but also absorbing. I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard the senior center near Highland ( off Central Ave.) has groups in woodcarving for folks over 50. MelNM also told me about a club, Rio Grande Woodcarvers, here in Albuquerque, that meets on Tuesdays, but I haven't hunted it down yet. Folks at the Woodcraft store on Renaissance (off Montaño, on the other side from Home Depot) might know where to find them. Other clubs meet at that store, including the Santeros that I've been going to, even though I carve mostly 3D animals, not saints. Good luck. I think you'll like this site. Lots of helpful people.
Larry

[oddsoxx]

Hi Larry,

It's good to hear from another novice woodcarver from NM although I'm guessing you're a lot more experienced than I am.

I was over at Woodcraft the other day and they mentioned several groups and I know there's a group that meets at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (near Juan Tabo, south of Central) that I've been thinking of joining. I'm just so new I'm a bit intimidated by all the wonderful carvers I'm sure are there. I might take a couple classes first and then see if I'm brave enough to join the group.

Thanks again for all the information.

Linda

[Larry A.]

Hi again Linda. Just wanted to encourage you not to be intimidated to go to a group. I've heard lots of them have folks everywhere from those you have never held a carving knife to real master craftsman. The group I go to has amazing artists, but they're all willing to help a newcomer and are loaded with information and tips. My experience in the past month is that carvers are a friendly bunch of people, and no one I've met thinks their knowledge is a secret but are, instead, eager to pass it along. It's kind of nice to see so much talent and no prima donnas. Again good luck and Cinco de Mayo!
Larry

[oddsoxx]

Larry,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to Woodcraft today to get my tools and will talk to them about a private lesson or two. I wonder if they have a woman instructor...

I've talked to a few people at the State Fair and, as you say, they all seemed willing to help but I hate to walk into a meeting without at least knowing the rudiments of carving a 3D figure. I've never done this kind of carving before and don't really know where to start. I can hardly wait to learn though!

Thanks again.

Linda

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Linda, don't be intimidated! There was a time in every carvers life when they had never held a carving knife! Jump in there with both feet! "Times a wastin'!" LOL