New Members

[Teri_Embrey]

Hey, I see that both 'Byron' and 'DickC' have joined us here on the Board. Get ready to take notes, cause these guys know what they're talking about - and even if they don't, they'll still give you a wonderfully creative answer :-)
They're both wonderful carvers, too!!

Welcome, Byron and Dick

Welcome to all the other new members that have joined us lately, as well - we look forward to getting to know you. Feel free to jump in anytime - the water's fine :-)

Teri

[Teri_Embrey]

LOL....I forgot about the 'thingy' mechanism on this board. 'Richard', you'll find that your name, as well as other choice words, are automatically 'censored' by the WCI Big Brother.

Welcome anyway, D*I*C*K :-)

Teri

[arbaugrl]

I am a new member. I haven't started carving yet, but I have got the 'bug' recently and have ordered some tools to give it a try. I have some hesitation though, all of your work that I have seen is so good. I wonder if I have the artistic talent to be a woodcarver. Do you all have natural talent, or is it something that you have to work at? Any advice to a rank beginner would be appreciated.

Bob

[Callynne]

* * Welcome guys, good to have you with us! *Bob, welcome to the wonderful world of carving, you have come to a good place for advice, either for a beginner or an 'oldtimer'. *
* * As for talent and ability I think everyone has some, it will just take a little time to see where yours lies, caricature, realistic, primative, etc. *No matter where you will really enjoy it....just be very careful and as is said so often here, get yourself a carving glove and a thumb guard too. *The best tools are razor sharp and they cut very quickly and quite deeply!! *Not a fun experience!!
* * We'll be looking forward to hearing from you and seeing some pictures when you're ready to share! *Good Luck!! Callynne

[ibrewalot]

Don't sweat it, Bob...pretty much everything I've done has been short on talent and long on hours. And you know, it's been just as long on enjoyment. If you're talented, as many folks who contribute to this board are, you'll have even more fun. But even if you're not, laboring over a small caricature head for days and seeing it come out the other side from a block of wood to something 'else' is amazingly rewarding.

Have fun, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A couple of things I've learned recently from the club I just joined:
- Never throw anything away...you can ALWAYS save a carving.
- Remember, it's a block of wood. If you lop off your carving's arm, just carve another a bit deeper.

- Brian

Welcome, guys! D1ck, I've figure the 'thingy' out without doing the * number. NUMBER 1!

Anyway, don't worry about getting started. It's a good idea to keep your first attempts to look back on and humble yourself when ya get to big for your britches. Most everyone has some nightmare starts, or completions. It's the process and the learning that is fun, and getting better is even better!

Remember, whatever you carve is YOUR interpretation of something and it may not look the same to everyone else, but to someONE int will evoke a memory or burn a chuckle in a dark day. so don't be afraid to share your efforts.

Al

[FatEddy]

Welcome aboard ... don't sweat the talent/no talent thing, my guess is you'be got plenty of it tucked away. One thing that helps me is to draw everything before I carve it. I started doing that about two years ago and am getting to the point where it even looks a little like it's supposed to once in awhile. Get a good book on sharpening or get somebody to teach you, carving tools are sharpened a little different than regular knives and tools. I'm going to get repetitious here - don't forget the carving knife and thumb guard.

Bob.
Welcome to the wonderful world of carving I think all my counterparts here have summed it up pretty well. I think there is a little talent in all of us some more than others. I am a firm believer though the more you do something the better you get at it, practice always makes perfect to dont start out with anything too complicated and perfect it then move on to something else and perfect that next thing you know the sky's the limit. Again welcome aboard and please share with us your progress we would all like to see how you are making out.

[arbaugrl]

Thank you all for your welcome, encouragement and advice. I look forward to this endeavor and hope that it brings me the joy and satisfaction that I have seen on this message board. I'm sure you'll be hearing from me asking questions and trying to learn. I will be retiring from my job at the end of March, so, I will have more time to practice. Thanks again!

Bob

[FatEddy]

Hah! More time after you retire? Guess again! You're gonna be soooo busy you ain't gonna believe it. I haven't had a free moment in ten years (but ain't no way I'd go back to work). You're gonna love it.