[darqpsyke]

Hi,

My name is Julie-Ann, I live in the West Indies. I have been thinking about carving for sometime now, and I'm ready to start. I'll be visiting my family in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in May and I'd like to buy a set of carving tools while I'm there. I can purchase them online but I would prefer to look at them in person with the highest possibility of asking questions as well.

If anyone can provide any help I'll be very grateful.

~Julie-Ann

[susieq]

Welcome Julie-Ann,
This is a wonderful site to pick up information, helpful hints and to make good friends. Port St. Lucie is also a good place for carving. I know there is a very active club in the area and they have a good show in the spring. Unfortunately your timing is a tad off as the show is usually in March or the end of Feb. I will check out some of my carving Magazines to see if they list any groups that meet this late in the year. You know everything revolves around the snow bird season here. That begins in the fall when they arrive from colder northern states, and runs until late spring when the hot weather drives them back to the cooler northern states. Our own club up here in the New Port Richey area just north of Clearwater, is getting ready to shut down for the summer. Most of the weekly carving groups are getting smaller and smaller and they too will shut down for the summer.

I agree with you about liking to see what you are buying before you buy it. Shows are the best place for that as there are many vendors with tools and other supplies set up for you to see, touch and try out. But most of those things are over with in the state of Florida by this time of the year.
If I can find anything listed in any of the publications for your area still to happen, I will post them here. There are quite a few Wood Worker's Supply stores around the state, that carry carving gouges. You might look up one of those while you are here. Good luck.
susieq

[Eddy Smiles]

Just had another inquiry from he St. Lucie area on another thread so I did a little cut and paste..... Woodcraft lists stores in both the Orlando and Pompano Beach area and there's a Woodcarver's Supply on the other side of the state in Englewood.

Also, you can go on line and check out the websites of Woodcarver's Supply, Smoky Mountain Woodcarver's, Little Shavers'. Send them an email providing your needs and asking them for their recommendations. Compare their answers and then place your order when you arrive.

[wood-whittler]

julie-ann,

hello and welcome to the board, i would contact rick at littleshavers he will be able to help you.


bart

[gene messer]

Welcome to the board Julie Ann .. Glad to have you ..

[Irishman]

Hello and welcome to the message board. Hope you enjoy the chats and get inspired to begin carving.

Patrick

[darqpsyke]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I know I'm going to love it here, you're all very friendly. I have taken a look at the little shavers that has been recommended to me and I quite like them, I think I'll go with those.

Again, thank you all very much for such a warm welcome.

~Julie-Ann