[decoycarve]

I am unsure about this. I make money carving and I have never advertised on this board. I come here for the comeradery of fellow carvers. In exchange for this comeradery I have offered a lot of knowledge for FREE. This is a great board and a lot of us care about one another. I have to agree with Hi Ho. Start another Site. There are a lot of us on this board that freely help others carver and I would hate to see it getting to the point of Yeah I can Help you Sign up for my class. We are buying the authors books. The books should be informative enough that We wouldn't need an online class that we would have to pay for too. Sorry if I offended anyone here but I have to say whats on my mind.
Goody

[BobD]

Hey guys,
It's just another resource! I haven't had time to get another site set up like Hi Ho suggested. So I told Cyndi (a WCI author and Fox Chapel Author) she could post this. It's just an announcement! She's not trying to muscle in on the great information people post for free here.

About a year ago, Andre from the National Woodcarving School, who has also written for WCI, posted about the online classes they offer. So I really felt that it was only fair that Cyndi be able to post as well.

(besides, this thread's been around for almost 2 weeks...and no one's said anything...)

Bob

[Kenny_S]

I Probably shouldn't even post as it will P O some people. Oh well deal with it.
I for one Appreciate the effort and the CHANCE to take Ms Joslyn's course. MY choice as it is everyone elses choice. I can either take it or leave it. Same as anyone else on this board.
I have one of Ms Joslyn's books and have read it but have not carved a Santa like her's. But then, That is my choice. Period.

Thanks Bobd And Ms Joslyn!

[Nancy-ID]

All I can say is that if I were interested in carving Santas, I would take Cyndi's class in a minute. I hope more people do what she is. Would be great to see more categories of classes offered, especially if the teachers take the care and professionism that Cyndi has with the site. As for making money . . .at $50 for the class, she isn't making anything considering her time and work putting up that site and whatever is involved in giving the lessons.
I really hope to see more posts here for such a great learning opportunity in other categories. The more I think about it, I may want to carve a Santa after all, just so I can take Cyndi's class

[Gary M. Peiffer]

If this helps improve the skills of current carvers and/or brings in NEW carvers, I am all for it!

Gary

[rick-in-seattle]

Online classes are a logical step in the evolution of carving instruction.

Cyndi is a delightful young lady who has a unique style of carving that is undeniably her own.

My only concern is that beginning carvers may pick up her Hari-Kari carving method.

This is where the wood is pressed against the abdomen and the tools are held with both hands and pulled toward the carver.

I have to look away when she carves, it makes me cringe.

Except for that, I support Cyndi completely, I have to, she is so darn cute.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

LOL..........where is your gramma with that switch now when you need it?

[Cyndi Joslyn]

I want to tell you how delighted I am that my innocent little notice of on-line classes has generated such a lively discussion.

First, I want to report that I have happily, thoughtfully and thoroughly replied to any and all questions and comments that carvers have made on this forum regarding my books. I have not sent any of them follow-up invoices.

Next, I have been teaching carving for the last 15 years. I love to help newbies get started on what has become a lifelong passion for many of them. I have had many people take class after class from me. I have told several carvers that they don't need to be taking lessons from me as they have become quite proficient in their own right. They reply they continue to take my classes because they enjoy them so much.

During the years I have been teaching carving, I have had an interesting noticing. Periodically I offer what I call "Free Carves." Bring whatever you want to work on and we will generate wood chips together. Funny thing is.....hardly anyone shows up for "free carves" and yet my paid-for classes continue to be full. I have attributed this to perceived value. Some people just don't find a whole lot of value to things that are given away.

In many of my conversations with long-time carvers, they report that in workshops and competitions across the country numbers of participants continue to decline year after year. As one who has found so much enjoyment from this wonderful passtime, I want to do all I can to promote it to a new audience........and perhaps that will require presenting it in a new form.

To those who feel the best way to promote this craft is to give their knowledge and experience away for free.....I say more power to them. Different strokes for different folks. With carving as with many other pursuits, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Finallly in response to Rick's comment on my samaurai style of carving.........In all the years I have been carving this way I have never injured myself, nor has anyone who has taken lessons from me suffered more than a insignificant cut....probably because they have forgotten to put on their glove. I strongly promote carving safety, be it by suiting up in appropriate carving body armor or adjusting direction and trajectory of your carving tools.

Again thanks to all who have responded......both in favor of and opposed to my innovative little idea.........

Whatever I can do to promote the cause.

carving to all!! After all that's what it's all about.

[Kenny_S]

At a Gal Cyndi. Hang in there!

[ppinkston]

A Huge "" to Cyndi,

I am a beginning carver and as far as I know, there are no beginning wood carving classes with in 70-80 miles of me.

Cyndi has has made it very easy for me to attend her wood carving class.

I have signed up for this one and I hope she has many more for me to attend by way of the internet.

Thank you Cyndi

Paul