Hi Elwood,
First of all, you hit the ground running with the wizard in your front yard that you carved!
When I entered the woodcarving show up in Hickory, NC (my first and only so far), there were really nice folks at the sign-up table willing to help you get through the registration process. It very quickly became clear what I needed to do, by just listening to them carefully explain to the folks standing right in front of me in line. By the time it was my turn to get my papers, I felt like I already had a handle on it.
I was given some good advice there. If I wanted constructive feedback on my work for improvement, to simply find out who judged it, and go find them and ask them questions for help. I did, and really got some good pointers from a guy.
All in all, I had a really good time, and wish I could go to more shows just to see the work.
Great story about the eyes looking back... I know the feeling.
![004[1]1](http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/images/smilies/004[1]1.gif)
55th!
Thor