[sharon cottrell]

HI everyone, I've been reading the post for several months now and really enjoy it.Decided I should introduce myself. I used to whittle when I was a kid, found a pocket knife in my aunts back yard. Dad let me carve on old growth redwood kindling.Started a chain, 1 link, carved a budda type guy, usually lost them camping on the beach.My inspiration was a shop owner and his wife, Bill and Ann.Their store " raggety ann" sold local crafts and supplies to make them. Bill carved wood spirits from driftwood.He had them hanging up all over.HE named them all.People wanted to buy them, but he wouldn,t sell them, because he loved them all. My mom was always afraid I,d cut my fingers off! LOL! Anyway grew up, got married, raised our kids. Daughter and son both started carving as teenagers.I told them be careful you don,t cut your fingers off, must be a mom thing! Told them "I use to carve when I was your age." Typical teenager reponse- sure mom, uh-huh.Husband and I bought property.Our then grown kids helped us do some clearing on it.They kept putting all these good old roots on the burn pile.I said don,t burn them all, I want to carve on some of them. Hubby and kids said "sure honey, sure mom,uh-huh".Son says, my root mama.So I carved awoodspirit for my son for Christmas a few years ago. Since then I've carved about 6 or 7 woodspirits.The latest one I,m doing, my gouge slipped real hard into my palm.Did some nerve damage, feeling is gradually coming back to my fingers, but I did,t cut any fingers off!!! God Bless you all, Root Mama, Sharon

[tucker1931]

Sharon, please let me be the first to welcome you to out GREAT forum. You are now in the company of some great wood carvers (I'm not one of them) and they are all willing to be of help should you need it. Sharon, I share your pain, about 5 months ago I almost took my thumb off, it has been numb ever since but it is gradually comming back, I'm sure yours will as well. Good luck and happy carving.
Cliff

[snickerbocker]

Welcome Root mama, 2 words, carving glove.

[pallin]

Welcome, Root Mama, to this forum.
I too started whittling when I was quite young and eventually turned to carving with gouges, veiners, etc. Hope you find inspiration in this group.
When you read something from an interesting carver, go to the Carver Galleries and look at their work. I think you can do that by finding their user name in the Member list and clicking on photos. But, you'll find a way!

[wood-whittler]

hello sharon welcome to the board, like vivki said get a carving glove. good to have you with us


bart

[Bill]

Welcome to the forum..
I get quite a bit of my wood from Kernesy (sp) Or. just north of you
A place called Its a Burl
I do all power carving so, haven't cut myself yet.
Bill

[Mottles]

Hey there Root Mama Sharon, you live in a beautiful area. Hubby and I lived in the Bay Area for many years and have some fond memories of your area.
Vicki gives good advice, a carving glove is a pretty cheap investment compared to a trip to the ER. We've all cut ourselves more times than we'd like to admit. I wear both a carving glove and thumb protecter, several wraps of a product called Vet Wrap will go a long way in protecting your thumb. I do relief carving and even us it for wrapping my fingers. I have a tendancy to scrape them along the wood surface.
OK lecture over! LOL
Looking forward to seeing some of your carvings when your ready. If you have questions or need help just ask.
Kathy

[Tom H]

Welcome Sharon, Everyone is correct! Great board, with some great carvers, all willing to share, and give words of encouragement when necessary. Hope your hand continues to get better. Lets see some of those wood spirits.. Tom H

[Irishman]

Hello Sharon,

Good to have you along with the gang. Look forward to seeing your carvings.
Patrick

[slather]

Hey Sharon ,welcome to the forum , sorry to hear of your accident , sure hope it comes back to normal