WCI Holiday 2007 (Issue41)

Shannon · #1 11-14-2007, 08:12 AM

Hello All,

I see from the other thread that many of you have received the issue. And I even have a fair number of fox sightings - although not nearly as many as I would have guessed - he is hiding in plain sight this issue!

It seems the 360 degree model is a big hit, and as Bob mentioned we're going to give you a behind the scenes look at how that works in the spring issue. Our plan is to have one new carving up on the 360 viewer with each issue - it's a tentative plan so don't kill me if we don't get one up with each issue.

Ron's article also seems to be very popular. It was very inspirational for the staff to work on that article - it's really fun to do those kind of articles vs. the technical how-to that you normally get in WCI.

I'd like some specific feedback from you guys. What did you guys think of the beginner Santa by Kathleen Schuck? We're trying to include projects that beginners can have good success with, and more experienced carvers might try for a change of pace - or use them to introduce someone to carving.

I really liked the pierced ornaments and may even give those a try myself. Which articles have you eager to make some woodchips?

Oh - and we seem to have some confusion with the fox hunt - we state the fox is facing left... And folks were saying the fox in the fall issue was NOT facing left - if you turn him right side up - so his feet are on the "ground,"
he's facing left. His nose can be pointing up, down or at China - but if you put his feet on the ground - he will be facing left. We'll have to run a little disclaimer next issue I guess. I apologize for any confusion!

We think the judge's critique is really helpful - do you guys find it helpful? We've started offering a bit of incentive for folks to offer up their work for critique - if you want the department to continue - we need to work to have critiqued!

How many of you actually looked through all 190 Santas online? Another contest??

You guys are killing me! It's not just the judging or prizes, it's collecting all the entries and the administrative hours... We ony have three people working on the magazines and there just isn't time. I don't have a problem with a message board organized contest... If you guys want to put something together - run it past Bob. I'll secure some gift certificates or books for prizes and we can do a small write up in the magazine showing the winner - but you have to provide us with good pictures - and appoint someone to handle the admin stuff. It wouldn't necessarily be a WCI sponsored contest - it would be "for the people, by the people" and we'd just show support with a few prizes and a page in the magazine.

Anyone planning on watching the Sissy Spacek movie? I just saw an advertisement for it on CBS last night.

Ok guys - I'll stop talking your ear off now - but I do want to hear some feedback - If there was an article that you think didn't cover a specific step well enough - tell us. If you'd like to see more along the lines of a certain article or project - tell us. We're always looking to make things better!

Colin_Partridge · #2 11-14-2007, 09:23 AM

Shannon,
Just a little on feedback you said you wanted our opinion on what we would like to see covered in future issues. I have on many occasions stated there are not enough articles on chainsaw carving. I almost seems as if chainsaw carving isnt considered as wood carving. I know it isnt done with a knife and chisel but never the less it is a form of woodcarving. There are many talented chainsaw artists across the US, Canada and around the world. Maybe by featuring some of them from time to time may be a consideration.
I am not complaining I love all the articles and always wait with anticipation for my WCI issue. Just personally would like to see more chainsaw coverage.
Colin

xsailer · #3 11-14-2007, 10:15 AM

Shannon, since you mentioned the "Fox" are there any other stipulations you follow like where I should NOT look. For instance would I find the fox on advertisements, the cover or is it possible to find him anywhere between the front and back pages? Do you try to keep him a particular size? Is it a fox or fox-et? I haven't been able to find him yet.........ever! And I must say I'm getting upSET! I try to be calm about but the moRE I tRY THE MORE GET UPSET!!!

tucker1931 · #4 11-14-2007, 10:39 AM

FOX FOX FOX, Please explain what you're talking about. As you may or may NOT know, I'm new to woodcarving (haven't rec'd the current issue yet) but I don't understand what yer talkin about this fox thing.
Please advise
Cliff

BobD · #5 11-14-2007, 10:52 AM

Cliff,
We hide a fox in every issue, and we choose randomly choose two people who correctly identify the location and give them Fox Chapel gift certificates...

Bob

tucker1931 · #6 11-14-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks Bob, I'll be lookin as soon as it arrives
Cliff

xsailer · #7 11-14-2007, 12:09 PM

tucker,
Don't bother looking for it. I think they print the fox with invisible ink and after you give up looking for it (the ink must sense the air as you thumb thru the pages) it shows up. The next issue they show you where was hidden. I've gone back and looked and THERE IT IS! It wasn't THERE when I was looking for it before! I remember lookin there!

Bob

BrandantR · #8 11-14-2007, 03:17 PM

My son was really excited about the beginner Santa project, so excited that he ran, grabbed his knife and sliced through his hand. Where's your glove! I myself am looking forward to trying Marks santa ornament but I'm afraid that I won't be able to stop with just one.

As for the rest of the issue, it was just like my wife likes her stake cooked, well done. Great articles and projects to inspire.

Eddy Smiles · #9 11-14-2007, 03:28 PM

I don't see how WCI can lose by including a beginner project in each article. The magazine has to be geared for everyone to stay on the news rack! I'm full up on other Christmas projects at the moment buy I'm looking forward to seeing what newbie projects you have to offer in the future.

With dial-up it's almost paintful to sit and wiat for pictures to load so I reserve my pain time to things that I can really use like Gene's tutorials! I appreciate everyone's efforts and submissions of their Santa's but I just don't have that kind of time to go through everyone of them.

tvance124 · #10 11-14-2007, 03:40 PM

Well guys you're looking to hard. Relax, read the mag. When I quit lookin that's when I find him. And as Shannon said -- he's hiding in plain sight. I was the big complainer a couple of issues ago. Then I found him twice in a row. Didn't win the prize, but I found him.