New Female Members?

[jillsy]

About 8 months ago, before discovering this site, I was really missing connecting with other woodcarvers (with 2 new little ones, it was too difficult trying to get to my woodcarvers club).

Finally, I was reading the "Country Woman" magazine and saw a "Readers Are Wondering" article. I gave it a shot and wrote a quick note saying I'd be interested in connecting with other female woodworkers. It was the next day or two when I came across this site and forgot all about it. Turns out, my note is in the newest issue.

Ironically, I was hoping to get advice from other more experienced woodcarvers, but so far, most of the responses are from women carvers asking ME for advice and help. My biggest piece of advice? Join this website!!

So far I've heard from one woman who wants to learn to turn bowls, another who's been carving animals and such for years and is running out of room to keep them, and another who is just looking for general carving information.

Then there's the one who sent me the typical junk mail, and the other who wrote, "I'm sorry I can't help you with your woodworking, but please read the enclosed." and she sent me a bunch of religious tracts. (Don't worry, I didn't give either of them this website!!)

If I receive any further letters, I'm happy to refer them to this website, which has been a total asset to me. I actually wasn't expecting much of a response, because it seems that there aren't too many women woodcarvers out there. But, I was happy to help the ones who are searching to connect with other carvers, just like I had been a very short time ago.

Jillsy

[Irish]

Jillsy,

I grin at your posting! As a wood carving business here on the net at least one half, 50%, 1 out of 2 customers are women ... the other 50% are men.

A Jill is just as likely to order a new set of tools as a Jack! It could be either an Alice or an Alex asking out to trace the design to the wood.

I don't know why those in this hobby still have the mind set that wood carving is a man's hobby and a few women also do it. But that seems to be a common myth ....

And,sadly, it shows in some areas. There are dozens of books on Cow Boy carving but where are the Cow Girl carvers??? And how about Mrs. Claus ????

We gals are out here, we are carving and we are a huge part of the hobby ... it ain't just the guys any more sittin' on the front porch whittlin!

Susan

(And, ya know what else ... some of us are armed with things like chain saws ... the very thought of it!)

[jillsy]

Men - PLEASE don't get offended! I'm glad you're all here! And love your vision, personalities, craftsmanship, etc, but sometimes I like just seeing a woman's perspective on things too. For instance, I'd never want to write asking one of you how to avoid callouses so I don't get "man hands"!!

Susan, I'm glad to know that there are other women carvers out there, but where? At least what I've seen and experienced, it's mainly men carvers. Just an example, in the wood carving club I belonged to, I only remember seeing 2 women.

There is an awesome site called WomenWithKnives. One of the lady's there was kind enough to locate the carving club in my area. I don't belong to this site, but love to look at all the work the ladies do. And yes, I've seen a few women there who use chainsaws - and have the biceps to prove it!

Jillsy

[Ashbys]

Jillsy ,

I am offended !

You could eaisly write to me and ask questions like that ..

.

For instance, I'd never want to write asking one of you how to avoid callouses

But my answer would be ...


Go see Goody and ask for another lesson ....................











since you can get him to do all the work ! !!!!!Jester

Ash

[BobD]

I use hand lotion every morning and every night...Aveno makes a great one that is not greasy-feeling, and doesn't have the fragrance that most of the other ones have. I've got to be able to type all day long, so I can't let myself get too many callouses...it cuts down on my words per minute <GRIN>

Bob

[Irish]

I am going out on a thin limb here (see me with my chain saw in hand cutting the branch behind me) ... but I believe that if you did a roll call for the gals on this message board to post to this thread you might be surprised by how many of us there are. I can easily count eight of us that post on a regular (weekly) bases.

Ok ... going even farther out on that thin limb I think there is a difference in the way men indulge in hobbies as compared to women. Seems to me, and I could be very wrong here, that we gals tend to smorgasboard our hobbies - a little of everything - where guys tend towards one main course hobbies.

My Dad did a variety of crafts but everyone of them were either furniture making or gun smithing. He did metal work, inlay, carving but most of it was used to refinish muskets.

My Mom, as I, did just about every hobby under the sun from oil painting, knitting, ceramics, quilting, gardening. I add to that list carving and wood burning.

So where Dad focused his endeavors I tend to be all over the board. Perhaps the other women wood carvers you are looking for are right there in your local quilt clubs or knitting groups.

Susan

Oh - I have never tried to get rid of callouses as they develop as a way to protect that part or area of your hand. I would much rather have "man hand" callouses then sore blisters.

[carver6]

Ya'll just need to learn to spit. Then you'll have it all down. My old Grandma used to dip Garret's snuff. She could spit real good but never learned how to whittle.
Garon

[Thor]

I'm proud of my callouses, and men with girlie hands are sort of a shock to me.

I think my woodcarving goes right along with all of the other physical activities I have always been attracted to, like competitive sports, bicycling, hiking, gardening, and horses.
But I can also, crochet, quilt, sew, cook, (but only when my husband doesn't feel good), and I went and looked at Stihl chainsaws today!

And, my daughter, the ornothologist, can spit all the way across a 2 lane paved road!

Thor

[Ashbys]

*thinks Susan's saw need sharpening*

Susan ,
I think most women I know are multi-taskers. And I would say for the most part it extends way beyond hobbies.

Bob
I really didn't think I needed to know that .
hehe

Garon, mine smoked a pipe . Every night before bed she would get out the Prince Ablert and pack a pipe and sit for about 30 mins in the recliner or on the porch swing depending upon the time of the year. Thanks for the memory !

Ash

[Irish]

And my Grandmother, Susanna Zickafoose, whom I am named after was literally one of those back woods, farming, hard working, wood splitting, can do anything woman ... I am proud to carry her name and her 'get out of my way and let me try that' attitude.

And I'll have you know she was "Upper Class Lady". She didn't chew and spit like them out stater loggers ... she owned and used her corn cob pipe, thank you very much!

Susan