[Shannon]

Hello All,

I've received a few fox sightings and there's some talk here on the message board, so it looks like the issue has made it into a few mailboxes.

As always, we're interested in your feedback. What did you like, what didn't you like?

What did you think of the Best of Show article? I know Chip Chats does a great job of show coverage - do you want to see this type of article in WCI or do you get what you want in that area from Chip Chats?

Personally, I'm going to attempt the birdhouse project. My son has to make a birdhouse for boy scouts so I figured it would make a good project for us to tackle together.

Any comments or questions about the new company handling our subscription database? (or didn't you read that...)

Anybody band sawing their own blanks that has tips to add to the article?

What did you think about the brush basics? What aspects of painting would you like to see covered in the future?

[Eddy Smiles]

1. What did you like, what didn't you like? ...( In my opinion not the best issue that WCI has put out. Way too heavy on chip and similiar line type carving. With such a great line of of CCA carvers in the "First Cuts" article it would have been nice to have featured a carricature carving by one of the CCA members. But then again to paraphrase P.T. Barnum... You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time....or something like that!)

2. What did you think of the Best of Show article?... ( For those of us who don't get Chip Chats it's a great opportunity to see high quality work. I say leave it in. )

3. Personally, I'm going to attempt the birdhouse project... (Pretty expensive birdhouse!)

4. New Company handling our subscription database... (The United States Government has been trying to privatize (A-76) operations for years thinking that it's always more efficient and cost effective to farm it out. It hardly ever works out as planned. No one can ever do it cheaper and better than in-house forces. However, since apparently you've done your homework only time will tell if your operation is an exception to the rule. I'm sure that we all wish you the best of luck and hope our account won't be the one caught in an administrative glich somewhere in southern California!)

5. Anybody band sawing their own blanks that has tips to add to the article? ... (Same technique applies to cutting blanks with a scroll saw. Not everyone owns a bandsaw.)

[Marci MN]

"What did you think of the Best of Show article? I know Chip Chats does a great job of show coverage - do you want to see this type of article in WCI or do you get what you want in that area from Chip Chats?"

Please keep showing these pictures. Not all of us have chip chats or other Carving magazines. I'd like to see MORE pictures on shows and others carvings.

Thank you. M.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You received some fox sightings? yah, I bet not in my magazine you didn't!

[JIM QUILICI]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

You received some fox sightings? yah, I bet ;) not in my magazine you didn't! :)

what.........your wife has not read it yet to find the fox for you?....lol
have not got mine yet....but when I do I'll find the fox myself....no help...lol

[kitaye]

1. What did you like, what didn't you like? I liked the two chip carving projects. I also liked the ball in cage simply because it is something I am struggling with right now.

2. What did you think of the Best of Show article? It's nice to see other people's work but sometimes I think too much of the magazine is dedicated to pictures not projects. This magazine had a good balance of both and it was interesting to see what won and what placed. It gives me a goal to work towards.

3. New Company handling our subscription database? Personally, I am quite concerned with this new trend. I have other magazines that have done the same thing and have nothing but problems with it. Everything from not being able to get in touch with someone to correct a wrong address to lost renewal payments and double charges on credit cards for renewal charges. I will wait and watch for now but I will watch to see what happens when it is time to renew again.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Jim! She went through it a 1/2 dozen times and no luck, means now I have to go through it............geez

[bbeery]

Leave show articles to chip Chats. I gave up my subscription to Chip chats because I got sick of seeing show articles.
What did you like, what didn't you like? . You guys do a great job, look forward to each issue.

[mdallensr]

The Best of Show article was really well done. Yes, Chip Chats covers the shows, but the photography is not always that good. I went to Dayton and was blown away by the BOS carving. It was good to see that again, even though I try to take good photos when the exhibitors don't object.

I see way more caricature than I care for in WCI, Chip Chats and other media, but I understand how popular they are and the desirability of focusing on them. Given my "druthers", I'd rather see more Fred Wilbur, Chris Pye, Susan, and other classical carvers and their work.

The bird house fooled me at first, since it was difficult to see the carving; it looked painted until I looked closely and saw the free-form chip carving. My wife thinks I should make one; otherwise she will.

The bandsawing blanks article was useful, and a topic we see often on this board. Probably not a coincidence, huh? We might emphasize the importance of keeping the blank square, to avoid cutting thick blanks at an angle. Blade selection is a big part of band-sawing banks, and more about the blade size would be useful. I bought a 3/32" bladed for my bandsaw at the WCI Open House, after using 1/8" and 1/4" blades on intricate reliefs, and it makes a big difference. I've tried several ways of re-attaching pieces (double-sided tape, hot melt glue, wood screws in waste, etc), to save the patterns for the next cut, but now just leave some waste at one end of the blank and don't cut all of the way through, keeping all of the pieces attached until I'm done. I carve a lot of spoons for Christmas gifts, and keep the back waste attached under the bowl, and the back of the bowl square, until the front and inside of the bowl are carved. This keeps the blank stable and steady until I flip it over, nip off the back waste and carve the back of the bowl. Without that back waste, it's possible to break some of the more delicate designs, and carving the inside of the bowl when the back is already rounded is much more difficult and dangerous.

Overall, a good issue. Mike

[Eddy Smiles]

I just recieved an automated email from Fox Chapel promoting your new automated subscription service.....

...Check the status of your account – is it active or expired?
...Find out when your subscription expires
...Find out when your last issue was mailed
...Find out when your next issue will mail
...Find out when your last payment was received
...Change your address or e-mail address
...Give a gift subscription to a friend
...Renew your subscription online
...E-mail customer service with a question

The one thing that I noticed missing was any mention of the ability to talk (not email) to a "REAL" person in the event that things really go down the tube! One of the great things that I know that all of us here on the forum have appreciated over the years has been the outstanding customer service that we've received from the Fox Chapel Staff. I've never had a problem that wasn't immediately and satisfactorily taken care of. I realize that it may not be the most efficient use of manpower to have Shannon, the editor herself, responding to delivery problems but it sure impressed the hell out of me and made me that much more of a believer in WCI. However, with all these electronic "do-it-yourself" tools (so much like checking yourself out of Target or Home Depot) it's really starting to sound as if a trade off is being made at the expense of customer service....and the more that I think about it, the more that it worries me!