[mike157]

Hi all. My name is Mike and I am located in Western NY. Just joined the Genesee Valley Woodcarvers Club. They just had their Annual Show on the shore of Lake Ontario in Rochester. It looks like a good hobby to drain of some work stress (STRESS? STRESS? WHO'S GOT STRESS!!!?). I've looked at different types of carving ... but the club is heavily "bird" and I'll more than likely lean that way. Well ... I've got the wood ... I've got some books ... I've got some tools ... and a wife saying "carve it or put it out in the garage." So off we go.

Mike157

[sheltiecarver]

Welcome, Mike!
You're probably gonna love this adventure. What books are you using? Do you have any preferences as to the birds you'd like to carve? I started carving 13 years ago because I wanted to do a full size decoy duck. I still have not done one, but I've tried lots of other things. You'll find a lot of help and advice on this --um--whatchacallit - board? Forum, maybe.
Anyhow, HERE!! Again, welcome.
Sandy

[Clifford_Parker]

Hi Mike and welcome to the group.

Even though the club you joined is "heavily bird" as you put it doesn't mean you can't carve whatever you want to carve. You will find learning and carving much more relaxing if you are doing what you want instead of just "what everybody else does".

Search for carving pages and look through the carving galleries here and see what catches your eye. Then get a piece of wood and try doing it yourself.

Learn to sharpen, hone, and strop you tools properly first so you always have sharp tools.

Have fun.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Mike. Carving is a great way to pass the time or keep your sanity! Carve whatever strikes your fance.....birds, sticks, ships, dragons, leaves or the south end of a north bound mule....just have fun doing it! You're right, it is THE best way to relieve stress!

Bob

[Colin_Partridge]

Welcome aboard and welcome to the wonderful world of wood carving. Most clubs are mostly bird carvers but I agree carve anything you want. Me I carve anything but birds (Dont have the patience) or the attention span to count all those feathers and then carve them to scale. Stress is not something that is associate with wood carving. Oh got to go I have five commissions that I should have started last week, I have canes to mail off people wanting carvings, stores calling wanting carvings I dont have enough time to sleep NOOOOOOOOOOOOO I dont have any stress. Take my advice and carve for fun it takes a whole lot of fun out of it when you have to carve for living.
Colin

[mdallensr]

Welcome to our board, Mike, from another Mike. I stated wood carving sevral years ago when my wife decided I needed something to cut the stress and take my mind off of work. Sound familiar? I love it. It's really important to get a sound start in carving, so if you group carves birds, carve birds, at least a couple. Listen, watch and learn, even if some of the stuff seems kind of simple. I hope you have someone that nags about safety. Listen to them. Wear a glove if you're going to carve in the round. If birds turn out to be your passion, stick with them, but if they're not, your group will encourage you to find your niche. I did birds but now prefer bears and aquatic animals for carivng in the round (not a lot of difference really). Mostly now, I carve architectural items, so I've really strayed from my beginning. The only thing you can do wrong is nothing. Do something, keep carving, learn from your mistakes, get familiar with the saying "it was just a piece of wood and there's lots left to carve", and cheerfully start over. Good luck and have fun. Please share your results wit us. Mike

[jamesfa]

mike welcome to the board lots of help and advice hear. i joined a group that where mostly duck and bird carvers but i will carve anything that strikes my fancy(except relief). any birds i have carved look alright but i have to admit they are not ornothlogically correct.i carve for fun and relaxation so the only person i have to please is myself,if i don't like it its' firewood.if some one else likes it they can have it'.

so again welcome have fun and don't forget to post your efforts

Frank

[Callynne]

Welcome Mike, great to have you with us! I tried getting my husband to carve to relieve his stress and I'm the one who got addicted to it!! He still hasn't carved anything and he's still stressed...just my opinion! Callynne

[Just Carving]

Hi Mike

Just stick to whatever carving you like--even if you change from one day to the next!

You'll learn a lot here and if you got a question, just ask! I do!

Enjoy!

Bob

[Anthony Filetti]

Mike,
Welcome aboard to a fellow Amerk fan!!!!

I'm not a member of the club since I do mostly caricaturesand as you say they are mostly of the feathered type. I think you'll enjoy this board as it is quite resourceful.

Maybe we'll run into each other sometime at the local Woodcraft store...I'm sure that once you pull up a chair you'll stay awhile, the waters warm.


Tony