[Just Carving]

Hi Shannon

I received my magazine Friday. I think that there should be some regular columns/features—similar to ones that has been done in older issues. One that comes to mind right off the bat is a tool review column. Even though the tool manufacturers are pretty much the same ones over the years, their products do change--either by specific tool function, i.e. new type of tool and/or in some cases the actual quality of the tool changes--sometimes not for the better. The experienced carvers, while may have their tools and probably aren't going to make any major changes, may need to supplement or replace what they have. It's happened that you go to buy a replacement tool, and the quality or the tool itself is not the same as your original. The novice carvers are just starting out, and really could use all the help and information they can get in making decisions on what tools to buy. Another column that would be helpful would be a column on the various types of wood, and materials, available to the carver. I mention materials because it seems wood carvers are becoming creative and are beginning to use different materials in their carving. Again, I think this information would be useful to experienced carvers as well as novice carvers. I would like to see the wood/material article cover the usage of the material as related to the different types of woodcarving and the qualities of the material as related to that type of carving. An example would be oak--which would be suitable to shallow relief or chip carving, but not so much as "in-the-round" carving unless done with power tools--or some significant effort with hand tools.

I'm not big on the show coverage. Photos on the carvings that were displayed and submitted would satisfy me, but if you didn't have them, I probably wouldn't miss them.

The free-form box was interesting. Maybe an article combining a free-form project and a caricature carving might "kill two birds with one stone."

Hope my 2 1/2 cents helps!

Bob L

[BobT]

I only carve caricatures. I realize that if that is all you covered, someone else would not be happy and your magazine is targeted at a larger audience. I particularly enjoyed the "First Cuts" article but enjoyed all of the articles. I like to see what other folks are doing also. I think the mix of articles was great.
Bob

[Shannon]

a free-form caricature project... I can't envision that - any suggestions?

[Just Carving]

Put a pattern of a cut out of a man, or an animal in a certain position--maybe stooped over or kneeling--something different than what we usually see--and then see what different ideas people come up with. Just make sure the pattern leaves enough wood for flexibility. That would be my idea.

[RonB]

I wasn't aware there had been a change, and I am one who has never received the latest issue, also I just wired the renewal fee for three yrs. I am worried. Should I have sent it to a New Address?

[BobD]

Hi Ron,
PM me your name and address. We can check into it!

Bob