What a Crock!

[whittlinJim]

I'd always heard it said that people appreciate handmade gifts more than the ones you buy! It's not True! After working for weeks on a couple of carvings for gifts, I finally get them done just to be told the only reason I made them is because I'm too cheap to buy a proper present! Needless to say that these gifts will never be given!
My problem now is that when I look at all of my other work it all seems cheap and tawdry, it is crude and lacking in sophistication. The spark is gone! I have lost the drive and passion to create! I go to the shop and just move tools around and I have no desire to do anything with them.

Jim - no longer whittlin

[Donsexton]

I hate to hear that.

[Lonewolfcarver]

Jim,
Your carvings may not have the sophistication of a store bought gift however they do have something that you can never buy at a store-heart and soul. The fact that you cared enough about that person to create something with your own two hands says a lot about the person you are. I know a little bit of myself goes into every carving I do. If someone can't see that then they are not worthy of receiving the carving. I have carvings that look cheap and crude too but they still bring a smile to my face whenever I look at them, simply because I made them. Don't let people like that get you down. Take a break, go do something else for awhile, the carving bug will bite you again. Trust me , I know.
Look forward to seeing your future carvings,
Shawn

[scooter]

Continue carving, just not for those whose words mean to bring you down. They're the minority. Most (I believe) still appreciate a hand-made gift over something store-bought.

S~

p.s. I had a sister once tell me that my gift to her look like it was made in Taiwan. This was before I told her that I carved it myself.

[aulddiy]

That is sad. While I'm not immune to the opinion of others I carve for me. This means if I'm pleased thats all that really matters. My carvings are crude, I'm an amateur, and an old one. As for cost the most expensive thing I have is time.
Just mythoughts on this.

[vllsr]

Jim:
That was cold...very cold. Comments like that come from people that are very shallow. Maybe they are jealous that they can't do what you did. You put your mind and your talent into it and your efforts should be appreciated, if not then maybe you should just hand them a piece of coal, that's what "Bad boys and girls get from Santa". My family and my wife's family have been giving Christmas Gifts that we make for years. ALL of these things are greatly appreciated because someone took the time to THINK OF US. Go ahead and take a little time off, recharge your batteries and have at it again!
Keep on carving, and remember what started you in the first place.
Vito

[Nancy-G]

Jim - I've heard exactly the same thing .... I know how it hurts. I'm sorry it happened to you.
But, please don't accept those ugly words for a minute. Keep carving. Carve for YOU.

[gene-messer]

Jim .. Believe me ! someone wants those carvings .. Ignore the less obvious in those who say such things and keep it up ..
Now if you choose to stop carving .. thats your decision .. you will have to decide that .. but to stop because someone doesn't like it means they win ..
Should you stop breathing because the air might not be clean enough ?
Should you stop praying because it didnt come out just like you wanted it to ?
Should you stop driving a car because you get into a accident one day ?
Jim .. Thank God a man of history didn"t stop when he failed over hundreds of time in his inventions and was laughed at for doing it .. We wouldnt have electricity today .. Thomas Edison
I dont think there is a carver around that hasn't had someone critical of their work some time or another .. But dont let that get in the way of enjoying .. keep going my friend .. Dont give up
Gene

[blusteel7]

I have received a few hand made gifts over the years. I still have them and can see 3 from where I'm now sitting. A lot of the sophisticated store bought stuff is long gone but I cherish the hand made items and the thought behind them.

[Bill V]

Jim,
Don't give up.