Creede Woodcarving Rendezvous

Paul_Guraedy · #1 07-09-2006, 08:23 AM

My friends we have started the rendezvous. The good news is that we have at least 5 of us from the WCI forum. I am not sure of the list name for all so will just say that Elwood Troll, Tucson Bill and I are here along with a couple of others. Like the rest of you, it is good to actually meet the friends up close that I have known from the forum.

The only down side is that we have been here for five days and it has showered every day. Rained all day the first day of the rendezvous and is predicted to rain every day during the rendezvous. But, you can't hold back the spririt of woodcarvers when carving.

As far as my personal project is concerned,
I had thought that the early part of carving this antler would be easy. This stupid thought left me when I first put the drill to the horn. It didn't do anything! Could the bit be dull? No! Brand new! Pushed a little harder. Drill bit skipped across the top of the horn and did not even scratch it! What is this thing made out of anyway?

Started veeerrrry slowly so that the point stayed in one place. Ahhhhhh.........progress. About 1/8th inch......then it sat there....nothing deeper. But, I had a hole started to hold the bit, I through all of my (unfortunately considerable) bulk behind it. Finally, one hole.......only about 10 more to go.

Then it was time to connect the dots (aka holes). Saber saw went a little better. I put in a smooth cutting blade. Then remembered the holes. Took out the wimpy thing and put in a cross cut saw type blade. Hey, you can cut these things!

Anyway, I now have the open areas cut out and am ready to start carving. At least the good news is that it is going to be a wonderful piece and I learned several new things:

!. Moose horns are bulky and hard to position so that you can work on them.
2. Moose horns are hard.
3. Moose horns clog up bits.
4. Moose horns being carved create a lot of dust.
5. Moose horn dust stinks.....a lot.

But, I'm having fun!!!!

Nancy_G · #2 07-09-2006, 09:54 AM

Sounds like it's hard to have fun

Paul, I hope the fun continues for you but the rain doesn't.

ElWoodTroll · #3 07-18-2006, 07:05 PM

Can't wait to see what you accomplished Paul. My project will go immediately to the wall of shame.
Regards EWT

Paul_Guraedy · #4 07-18-2006, 09:20 PM

EWT, I guess that you are back home. I am still enroute and am in Lamar, CO. Do not expect to be home until Thursday night. The moose antler was a challenge and I estimate that I am about 1/3 complete on it. But, I did enjoy the session enough that I bought two more antlers.

Will post pics sometime after I get home. My wife came down with some kind of infection and had to be taken to the emergency room of the hospital at Del Norte (a new modern and very nice facility). We are stopping off in Springfield, MO to see the Doc.

carver6 · #5 07-18-2006, 09:23 PM

Paul,
I trust you are wearing some type of breathing protection. Have read somewhere that the dust from antlers can be pretty harmful. Think they are full of bacteria, or something of that nature. Hope you're taking some pictures. Will enjoy seeing what you produce. Your bird carvings are very good and I'm sure the antler will turn out the same.
Garon

Paul_Guraedy · #6 07-18-2006, 09:40 PM

I do not know about the level of hazard encountered with carving in moose antlers; but, from the way they smell, it can't be good to be inhaling that stuff. Luckily we were carving on the porch of the Underground Mining Museum. Wind made even collecting the dust to use in repairs difficult. And, each of us also had a dust collector and everyone I observed was wearing a mask. We did notice that visitors did not tend to linger in our area to observe the process. Will post some pics when I return home. Thanks for the comments and concern.

ElWoodTroll · #7 07-25-2006, 08:45 PM

I'm back in the corn fields ag'in. Hope you got lot's of pictures while in Creede (hope someone did any way).I had a great trip out west and got to visit with some wonderful people. I'll post pics after I shake some of this trail off.

EWT

Tucson Bill · #8 08-04-2006, 02:38 PM

Well, finally got back home from Creede. Had a blast! The wife and I are already making plans for next year. Rumor has it the Rendevouz will start on July 14.

I have a few pictures in a camera somewhere. After I get back to a normal keel here at home, I will try to post a few.

It was a real pleasure to meet Paul and chat for a few minutes. However, he was with a group of very horny carvers (oops, can I say that here?) that were kind of isolated from where my classes were. I must say there is absolutely nothing like the smell of burning moose antler first thing in the morning!

Speaking of morning, the following funny thing occurred. At the renedevouz they serve breakfast in the morning (quite good by the way) for a great price. However, they don't serve potatoes. I really like hashsbrowns or something in the morning. Anyway, my wife and I found a small restaraunt and went there on Friday morning. There was about 3 to 4 other tables occupied. We ordered and waited...and waited. Finally after and hour and 5 minutes our waitress (the owner of the joint, as it turns out) came by and I explained that I was about to be late for a class and politely asked who much longer it would be before we got our food. She just kind of smiled and looked at me. I tried again. She said, "Sir, McDonalds is just 70 miles down the road. I am sure that if you call ahead they will have your order waiting for you." Now I can usually think up a comeback to about any comment, but this one left me speechless!

Kenny_S · #9 08-04-2006, 04:14 PM

I hope you didn't tip her or maybe you should have gave her a tip on a napkin, saying," fire the watress and cook!" or "Get in to another line of business"!

But then, she probabl;y wouldn't understand that one either.

Yep fried tators in the morning! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Paul_Guraedy · #10 08-04-2006, 06:00 PM

Bill, glad you made it home OK. I tripped over a dog dish and broke my arm on the way home. The doc says that I can get by with a wrist brace....maybe! If it is not OK in 3 weeks, then they will put it in a plaster one. I am being very careful!! Broke both arms when I was a kid, plaster cast in the summertime, in the south, not something to take a chance on.

Know what you mean about next year. We are already making plans to attend. The campground will not start taking reservations until February or we would have our site assured now. Don't know what class I will take; but, will not be joining the horny guys again. I wanted a carved moose antler and now have one.....wellllll, I will when I get it finished.

Anyway, the main reason for writing is to find out which restaurant serves the slow breakfast. I certainly intend to avoid that one. Amazing story....and the rest of the folks in Creede were so accomodating. Still can't believe the size of those hamburgers at the price charged and the amount of ice cream in those bowls for only a dollar! Incredible!