New Guy on the Block Looking for Help

[Rusty]

Yes, I am a new guy on the block. For years I have always wanted to indulge in woodcarving. Now that I am retired (completely), I reside 6 months on Lake Champlain in Québec, Canada and the other six months (October to April) in Clearwater, Florida. Where I currently live (April to October), there is a small woodcarving club where members work together and help each other during the winter months. I will be able to participate as a beginner, starting this September, for a few weeks, then I will be off to Florida. I would appreciate it if someone could direct me to a woodcarving club in and around the Largo, Clearwater, St-Petersbug areas in Florida. I am also looking for a basic woodcarving course for beginners, (DVD, written material, web sites, etc.), to enable me to get off on the right foot. Any information in this regard will be thankfully received.
Thank You
Rusty

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You might want to look thru the books Fox pub. has for sale and at least find an area you are most interested in....thats a good start, and most books give you an idea of tools you will need.

[susieq]

Rusty,
You are in luck..... There is a nice club in the Clearwater/Largo area. The Suncoast club. I used to do their annual woodcarving show for several years a while back. I will try to get contact info for you...right now I am just home from the office on lunch break but tonight I will dig around and find a number for you.

I live in Hudson, about 30 miles north of Clearwater and the New Port Richey club, Calusa Wood Carvers, is also quite an active club with a great annual show in March. The show is held in Hudson at the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center and this coming show should be a good one, but then they always are..... I will be back on here later on tonight with the info you need if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
Welcome to the forum.
susieq

[revnate]

Don't overbuy tools. Many chisels sold in sets you rarely use. I bought stuff I won't use. Save the money

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Yes, I am a new guy on the block. For years I have always wanted to indulge in woodcarving. Now that I am retired (completely), I reside 6 months on Lake Champlain in Québec, Canada and the other six months (October to April) in Clearwater, Florida. Where I currently live (April to October), there is a small woodcarving club where members work together and help each other during the winter months. I will be able to participate as a beginner, starting this September, for a few weeks, then I will be off to Florida. I would appreciate it if someone could direct me to a woodcarving club in and around the Largo, Clearwater, St-Petersbug areas in Florida. I am also looking for a basic woodcarving course for beginners, (DVD, written material, web sites, etc.), to enable me to get off on the right foot. Any information in this regard will be thankfully received.
Thank You
Rusty

well one things for sure, if you live in the vicinity of the big lakes, or the ocean, you may have a source for free carving wood......drift wood. But of course, you have to dry it out first, but I remember when I went out to Calif., to visit my son, who at that time was stationed at Alameda with the Navy, in San Francisco.....he was living on Treasure Island, and I found some really nice drift wood, that I was able to take back to Iowa with me.
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[susieq]

Hello Rusty,
I just got home from work and dug around in my stuff for some contact info for the Clearwater club.

I found a two year old contact number for the club, hopefully it is still good.
Joe Lutz (727) 530-0166

Also, John and Orchid Davis would probably be able to give you info as they do the show every January. They are in South Carolina in the summer and Florida in the winter. Summer phone is (864) 647-5243
Winter phone is (352) 344-8329

They are vendors of wood and tools. The last Jelutong I bought, I got from John. Orchid is a master wood burner (or pyrographer) and has several books out. She also teaches classes. They are lovely people.

Hope this helps.
susieq

[Eddy-Smiles]

Rusty... Send me a PM. As an active member of the Suncoast Woodcarver's I'd be honored to get you involved in our club.

[Rusty]

Thank you much Susieq,

I will touch base with these people asap in preparation for our winter stay in Clearwater. I also received info from an active member of Suncoast Woodcarvers (Eddy Smiles), who has offered to help me get involved in the club.

By the way, I checked out your web sit. Nice work. May I contact you once in Clearwater in early November ? I have a cousin who spends his winters in the Weeki Wachee area, and according to my GPS, I pass through Hudson on my way to his home.

Sincerest regards,

Rusty

[Muscade]

Hi All,

Like Rusty, I live on the northernmost shores of Lake Champlain. For the last few years we were wintering in Spain, but the forever increasing hassle of air traveling finally got to us, and, from this coming winter on, we are becoming snowbirds. just like Rusty.
We will be in the Auburndale FL. area. Anyone knows of a club, there or about Question
Muscade.

[susieq]

Rusty,
I would be glad to have you stop in sometime. Just pm me when you get here and we can exchange contact information. I am always happy to meet other carvers....and thank you for your kind words. See you this fall.
susieq

Muscade, there are quite a few good clubs in Florida. There is a good one in the Port St. Lucie area and they have a good show. There is one in Ft. Meyers and their show is probably the best in the state. I am sure there are others and someone on here will be able to help you