[Eddy Smiles]

It might seem that with two project postings in almost as many days that I've been pretty prolific at my carving. Unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth. It's just that I've finally got around to finishing up some of the projects that I started back in May up at our place in Tennessee.

These two characters are out of Mike and Sherry Shipley's book, Woodcarving Country Folk. I had already carved "Beau" the dog earlier in the year. Both Ma and Pa have been carved from basswood, are 6-1/2" high, and have been finished with a wash of acrylic and a sealer coat of waterbased satin urethane.

There is a story about carving these two characters. About a year ago I sent away for blanks/roughouts from the Shipleys. At the time, being fairly new to this type of carving, I wasn't sure which was which and they weren't real clear in their literature. When I received my order which included Ma, Pa and Beau, two were roughouts and the third was a blank. I wasn't real pleased about the roughouts because I just didn't feel that it would represent my carving so I sent them back. The Shipley's were very, cordial, understanding and cooperative and even apologized for their part of the confusion. I was very impressed with their customer service and I would highly recommend that anyone interested in purchasing a blank/roughout from them to do so.

In the meantime I happened to make a trip to Townsend, Tennessee, to the Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers where I picked up some basswood. Once back in Florida I cut the blanks out myself using a coping saw. It was a little more work but it provided for a lot of satisfaction!

[gene messer]

Good job Eddy ... Looks like you did a good job on the carving and painting alike ...

Love those hillbilly characters ...

Gonna be in Tenn. next week and gonna stop by Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers .. Love that place ..

Great job Eddy ..

Gene

[Tom H]

Pretty neat carvings Eddy. But not Paw of the Maw and Paw Kettle family. Paw didn't have any chin whiskers, if my poor memory serves me right.. Tom H

[Kenny_S]

And Paw was skinny! However, Eddy, Nice work on these pieces.

[Mark N. Akers]

Eddy:
Great job on the hillbillies.

[Thomp]

eddy,

good job on the carvings, but got to agree with the other fellers. that cant possibly be ma and paw kettle, never seen them without at least 10 kids 2 dogs and a baby close

[Eddy Smiles]

Okay! I give up... They ain't Ma and Paw Kettle! But the wife and I have a little inside joke going about Ma and Pa Kettle so that's why I called them that.

[Eddy Smiles]

Okay! For those who don't know who we're talking about.....

[Thomp]

Guess it could be ma and paw kettel eddy,

but in their old age,
still looks weird without 3 kids pulling on her dresstail and others trying to beat paw out of his smoking backer.....

[Eddy Smiles]

Hell! I look wierd in my old age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!