New Member

Walter · #1 10-31-2007, 03:09 PM

I am new to carving, still getting my feet wet. I noticed another new member from East Texas who can not find a club near his home. I live in Lufkin and we have a great club that meets in Nacogdoches each month. Most of our members seem very advanced to me but the head of our club regularly teaches classes on all aspects of carving. We carved donuts and small balls at our last meeting to test our ability to navigate the grains of the wood. He covered painting the meeting before. I have carved a few small things like an owl, woodpecker and frog many years ago. I just carved a chain attached to a box with two balls inside and then progressed to a scorpion using basswood but I am finding as I approach the final stages that the wood is too fragile for the task. I will finish it and either step up to a slightly larger carving or take more time sharpening my tools. The scorpion is 2 inches long so the legs and claws get very thin. I will find a better wood for the next one. I am glad to find you guys and hope I get time to communicate, both my parents have Alzheimer's and I cook and feed them three times a day. I am retired, age 69 and eager to learn to master carving.

Walter

Arnold Smith · #2 10-31-2007, 03:27 PM

welcome Walter,

Arnold

Eddy Smiles · #3 10-31-2007, 10:59 PM

Greetings and salutations Walter! Sounds as if carving is just the thing you need to get some down time from your many reponsibilities!

Joy · #4 11-01-2007, 12:02 AM

Welcome Walter, that sounds like a good club. Hope you enjoy the forum.

Walter · #5 11-01-2007, 12:43 AM

Thanks everyone, this is a great forum. I hardly ever visit one but I have not failed to find a subject that I am interested in so far and have great feedback from members. This is perfect for new carvers.

Mottles · #6 11-01-2007, 02:02 AM

Welcome Walter, sounds like the carving bug has bit ya. Woodcarving clubs are a great place to make friends, learn and share. Which, I can say the same thing about Woodcarving Illustrated Message Boards. Wonderful of you taking care of your parents it's such a hard thing to watch parents with Alzheimer's. I know first hand.
Best to you,
Kathy

slather · #7 11-01-2007, 11:45 AM

Welcome Walter, looking forward to seeing your work

Al

http://picasaweb.google.com/al.hillis/WOODCARVINGSMINE

Irishman · #8 11-01-2007, 01:24 PM

Hello Walter. Hope you find time to join in on the discussions.
Patrick

tucker1931 · #9 11-01-2007, 01:33 PM

Hey there Walter, welcome aboard. Yer still just a kid, heck man I'm 76 and just stated carving a couple months ago, Take the leap there old friend, try some wood spirits, rhey seem to work for me. I've got a box full of small stuff here that I wasn't satified with but the spirits are another story. Whatever you decide, good luck to you and, "thanks for lookin after the old folks"
Cliff