[BasketballJones]

I got the nicknmame from 70s Cheech & Chong song but in reality I broke my hip playing basketball with some juvenile delinquents in July of 2000, at the age of 39. That pretty much ended my sports playing days and while I was on crutches, my sons classmates Dad introduced me to carving while in the stands of our kids game. I had attempted carving in '89 when my oldest son was born but gave up on it after 6 stitches in the thumb.

My Dad and brother were the woodcraftsman of the family and I possessed little ability. When my Dad died in June of '89 I sort of inherited/stole his tools. My brother, a Presbyterian minister, was at Princeton Seminary and interning in Northern Ireland so he had no use for the tools at the time. When he returned to the states he was amazed at my carpentry skills, so I guess certain skills are passed on through death. But making furniture was my healing process through grief. But I always wanted to carve.

I've spent the past 20 years as a Juvenile Corrections Supervisor, and I work part-time as a counselor in a hospital detox unit and at times on the psch ward (just outside of Pittsburgh). My stress level at times is high, plus I'm married with two boys (the 6yr old is bugging me now) and my other passion is golf. I needed a low stress outlet. So when I carve, I do so to relax. I have a simple carving philosophy. I take a block of wood and surprise myself when it's done. Though I have impressed/surprised myself with some of my carvings I don't consider them as good as what I've seen on the board. Those I could sell are given as gifts.

This board has done more for me to generate carving interest. I enjoy learning and viewing everyone's work. I'm sure one day soon it will be my time to display. I expect nothing from carving, which is why I get so much out of it. It's my little "safe place" and my "serenity time". I feel like I have a deadline when woodworking and everything has to be precise. I hope when it's my time to go God gives me a little carving shop in heaven.

Ken Jones

[wood-whittler]

hello mr jones

glad to see you hear and just keep on practicing .

[2leftfeet]

same post as sam's

hang my hat in claysville Pa... if you ever get down to Wheelin' wva stop in at the oglebay wood carvers guild at the stiefel center... on national road... we have a show at the pine room at oglebay park over labor day weekend.... our president is actually from canonsburg.... so PA residents are always welcome.... we meet monday nights from 6 to about 9 or so ... then thursday mornings from nine til about noon


cya

good luck carving!

steve-0