DEC 08 Log.indd - California Carvers Guild

The Log
Volume 35
No. 12
December, 2008
a publication of the California Carvers Guild
THAT’S HOW THEY DO IT IN SACRAMENTO
by Molly Schaechtele
The Capital Woodcarvers Association (CWA) of Sacramento,
California, traditionally holds their annual wood carving show each
May. The CWA has always used their show to extend the carving
community – to introduce wood carving to people who might never
have dreamed of taking up a block of wood and making something
of it – to put knives in the hands of non-carvers and make wood
carvers out of them – to keep wood carving from becoming a
dying art. They’ve done it over and over again, and each time, it’s
something special . . .
Bob Shoemaker has attended the CWA show for the last few
years. He grew up in the 1920s in the lumber town of Roseburg,
Oregon. After a highly successful career as a metallurgist and
mining engineer, he retired to the foothills of California’s Gold
Country. He was a lot of things over his lifetime, but one thing he
was not was a woodcarver. In fact, the only thing he’d ever carved
was a primitive little elephant that he’d done in order to get his Boy
Scout woodcarving badge when he was sixteen years old. It was
crudely carved in pine, and one tusk was lost to an unfortunate slip
of the knife. Still, it was good enough to earn him his merit badge,
but his stint as a woodcarver was over. Or so it seemed . . .
In January of 2007, Bob lost most of a lung to cancer. Due to his limited lung capacity, his doctors were unsure
whether he would even survive surgery, but surgery was finally
performed, and he began what was to be a long, rough road to
recovery.
By early May, Bob was well enough to attend the annual show
presented by the Capital Woodcarvers Association. He drove an
hour to get there, and when he entered the building he headed
straight for a folding chair and took a seat, catching his breath. From
that vantage point he watched the action in the show hall for a while,
and then quietly said, “You know, I’ve always wanted to carve a
chain out of a single block of wood.”
That’s the kind of thing they like to hear at a CWA show, for at
each show mini-seminars are held on a variety of carving techniques,
giving carvers and non-carvers alike a chance to learn new skills.
And it just so happened that a member of the Capital Woodcarvers,
also named Bob, had demonstrated chain carving at the show the
previous day. The two Bobs were quickly introduced and the chain
carver, Bob Young, proceeded to give an
impromptu lesson on chain carving. As Bob
Young explained the techniques of chain
carving, Bob Shoemaker stood there, taking
it all in. He was obviously getting it, nodding
his head and processing the information. No
doubt his engineering expertise gave him
the advantage of looking at chain carving
as if it was an engineering problem. When
Bob Young finished his instruction, he gave
Bob Shoemaker a pre-cut chain blank, then
watched as the “student” went off in search of
a knife.
Bob Shoemaker left the show that day in
2007 with his basswood blank, a shiny new
knife, and a carving glove. And then Bob,
who was still recovering from cancer surgery
and hadn’t touched a carving knife in over
six decades, went home and started carving.
Within a week, he’d finished his first chain.
The following week, Bob Young mailed him
another chain blank.
And that’s how they do it in the Capital Woodcarvers Association.
This year’s CWA show offered more of the same. Kathi Gervais presented a mini-seminar on how to carve a
Charlie Phillips wild rose. Fred Hanson demonstrated how to carve a wolf face. Hank Bruett offered instruction
on chip carving. Lonnie Buck gave a class on bark carving. L.T. McKnight and Ken Webb both provided classes
The Log Staff
Editor - Melody A. Mullis
7475 Castano Ave Atascadero, CA
93422
(805) 748-4143, (805) 466-1134
or email at [email protected]
Advertising: Melody Mullis
Reporter: Betty Fougner,17429 Mayerling, Granada Hills
©The Log (copy deadline: 1st of the
month preceding publication date) is
published monthly by the California
Carvers Guild and is entered as Third
Class Matter in the San Jose CA Post
Office.
Dues: $25 per year; Family Membership, $40 per year; Life Membership
$300. Checks should be made out to
CCG and sent to:
Membership Chairman:
Cynthia Pomerico
27 Terrace Hill Dr.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
email: [email protected]
Carving Websites
The CCG Website at
www.cacarversguild.com
Capital Woodcarvers Association at
www.karving.org
Craft-T-Carvers at
www.craft-t-carvers.com
Ramona Country Carvers at
http://.ramona-countrycarvers.com
Riverside Chip Chuckers at
www.chipchuckers.com
Santa Clara Valley Carvers at www.santaclaravalleycarvers.com
Smoky Hollow at
www.smokyhollowcarvers.com
Tri-Valley Carvers at
www.tri-valleycarvers.com
Yahoo! CCG Members Group Site at
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ccgmembers
on relief carving. Jim Hanson taught a seminar on face carving. And Bob Young was there too, once again
demonstrating how to carve a chain out of a single block of wood.
Nearby, members of the Tri-Valley Carvers staffed a special table where they provided instruction on soap
carving. Young and old alike came to the table and were handed a beginners’ carving kit containing a wooden
knife, a “V” gouge, a “U” gouge, a bar of Ivory soap and a small stack of patterns. It was a highly successful
venture and provided a lot of people their first foray into carving.
The perimeter of the show hall featured vendors offering everything a carver or crafter could desire. Cascade
Carvers Supply was there, selling tools, burners, blanks and other carving supplies; Fred & Elaine Stenman
offered painted relief carvings and supplies; Michele Stetson was selling knives, roughouts, and carving patterns;
June Goodfellow and Charlotte Vincent displayed carvings, gourd art, animal portraits and craft items for sale;
and Bear River Woodcrafts was there with a selection of David La Pinta’s wooden toys and other wooden items.
There was something for everyone.
The judging for this year’s CWA show was done by Dave Stetson, a founding member of the Caricature
Carvers of America. Although Dave is primarily known as a caricature carver, his talents are far-reaching. He has
studied fine art and anatomy, and both are obvious in his finished carvings. But Dave is also a skilled judge, and
when he had finished his expert appraisal of the carvings submitted for judging, 3rd Best of Show was presented to
Frank Devine for a gorgeous carved spoon; 2nd Best of Show was awarded to Joe You for his wonderful caricature
entitled “La Petite Artiste”; and Best of Show went to Glen Tayson for his incredible sailfish.
Additionally, the Caricature Carvers of America Award was given to Nelson Krouse for his caricature entitled
“Tree Trimming”, for which he received a $50 gift certificate from Lee Valley Tools. The coveted People’s
Choice award resulted in a tie between Joe You and Nelson Krouse, to the delight of the show attendees. And
the whittling contest was handily won by Bob Travis, who received a gift certificate from Chipping Away for his
efforts.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the CWA held a
Grand Raffle. The prizes were a magnificent Santa
carved by Leslie Jacoby, a caricature golfer carved
by Ed Santarosa, and a beautiful plate chip carved by
Hank Bruett.
All in all, the 2008 CWA show was a huge
success, combining an excellent juried competition,
vendors offering everything to entice the expert or
would-be carver, and mini-seminars on a variety of
carving styles and techniques. It was well-attended
too, but one visitor was particularly notable, for there
among the crowd was 83-year old Bob Shoemaker,
breathing a little easier this year, and carrying a
bag in one hand. Bob, who a year earlier had said,
“I’ve always wanted to carve a chain out of a single
block of wood”, now had a sack full of his own
hand-carved chains, thanks to the expertise and
encouragement of Bob Young.
And that’s how they do it in the Capital
Woodcarvers Association.
Join us next year May 2-3, 2009 for our annual
carving show.
His name is:
Bo Whittley
Don Calver’s buzzard now has a
name. It seemed sad that the nameless
buzzard graced the entry area of
Central Coast’s show at Cayucos for
several years. Everybody knew him,
but nobody could call him by name.
So, last year Bob Otto photographed
myself and the buzzard after which
I put the bird on the cover of Mac’s
Shop’s catalog. We announced a
contest to name the buzzard with a $20
gift certificate prize to be given at the
show.
We had 46 entries from people who
all thought they had the best name.
Don Calver was chief judge aided by
Bob Otto and myself. The winning
entry came from Walt Ross who
submitted Bodonacious Whittley or
just “Bo” for short as decided by Don.
Unfortunately, we had to reject
several entries. A few contestants
ignored the one and only rule that
“Buzzy” was not allowed. Too
common and not up to Don’s standards.
A couple of entries could not be
printed in the Log (vulgar but cute in
private jokes), and we could not read
the handwriting on several others.
We also got some really unique names
from folk who whispered them in my
ear but refused to write them down.
One entry deserves special notice
because of its cleverness – Izzy
Deadyet? We felt this was a great
caption for the picture, but not a good
a name choice, so it came in second.
Credit for this goes to Cyndi Pomerico
Please note that the winner originally
announced at the show was incorrect
due to a communication error. I was
spaced out on pain pills for a bad back
when I called it wrong and must be
forgiven.
Thank you all for your participation.
INFORMATION ON WORKSHOPS (SEMINARS)
SCHEDULED FOR 2009.
TO START OUT THE YEAR:
MARCH .14 & 15, 2009 - RAMONA COUNTRY CARVERS (Hemet)
SHOW
Workshops scheduled before the show:
3 days, March 11, 12, 13, Dave Stetson seminar first two days and
Michelle Stetson painting that carving on the third day. $150 each,
plus roughout.
Workshop after the show:
3 days, March 16, 17, 18 - carving a Sea Captain with Gil Drake.
$150 including roughout. Will be held in the same building where
Hemet has the show. Call Joe Peery 951-767-0510 for more info.
If you let me know early I’ll see that they get it in the Log as soon
as possible to get the info we need to fill them up or help scheduling
different instructors.
Thanks
Don Golden
661-619-8476
[email protected]
MAC’S LIBRARY
BY MAC MCLAUGHLIN
A BOOK REVIEW OF:
THE NEW COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE
BAND SAW
BY MARK DUGINSKE
FOX CHAPEL PUBLISHING, ISBN 9781-56523-318-8
Here it is folks. I promised it in a previous article
and we all got excited.
This article is in two parts. The first party is a
review of the book. The second part is my personal
advice to carvers looking for their first band saw.
I really don’t know where to start with the book
review. Having waited for eons to get my hands on
this book, I finally got a copy and digested it in ten
seconds. Actually waiting seemed like eons and a
half day passed before my wife could tear me away
from the book. I kept going out to the shop to check
out some newly learned tidbit on my band saw. One
can read the book in any fashion, from front to back,
from back to front, or start in the middle and read
forwards and backwards simultaneously. Each chunk
of information is complete no matter which way you
read. Because I do not know where to begin, I shall start with the last chapter.
Did you know you can make fine dovetail joints with a band saw? The author gives the reader a complete
process to make dovetail, box and mortise and tendon joints using a few simple-to-make jigs. Ahh-you do need a
router or drill press to make the mortise holes. All this in the last chapter #9.
I happen to be a jig fanatic, so chapter 8 got my interest next. There are jigs for corner sawing, and cutting
out large blanks for wood turning. There are sled jigs for re-sawing rough logs into boards and carving blocks
without taking a finger off. Also of importance are jigs to saw out templates to be used for router guides. Most
useful.
I need to stop my review for a serious safety note. Far too many people think the band saw is a nice and safe
tool. WRONG! It is the second most dangerous tool in the shop next to the table saw. I know a fair number
of wood workers who have sawed off a finger tip or split their thumb lengthwise because they were pushing a
board through the saw with their hands in the wrong place. Before turning on the power switch, skip to page 9
and read the safety instructions. Pay special attention to item #16 and use push sticks. Important, important,
IMPORTANT.
Chapter 7 is short and gives some nice patterns to cut out on your saw. They are good practice pieces, but
chapter 6 is far more interesting. It has designs for band saw boxes, and all sorts of curved structures. Curved
saw cuts are the essence and reason for a band saw in the first place. I got lost in time reading through chapter 6.
Having used a band saw for years, I learned a lot in that chapter.
Some of the most valuable band saw information is in chapter 5. It is titled straight cuts which few craftspeople ever master. Making curved cuts is easy – just follow the line. Making accurate straight cuts requires skill
and practice with that thin, narrow blade.
Chapters 4 though 1 are all technical, and you need to master all of them. Chapter 4 speaks to properly
adjusting the saw. A mis-adjusted saw will not cut straight and
will break blades. To find out more about blades themselves, read
chapter 3. Chapter 2 gives advice on shopping for new and used
band saws. Last, Chapter 1 covers band saw basics.
I have been using all kinds of band saws for over 40 years, yet I
learned a whole lot from this book. Every wood carver should have
a copy of his/her own. No, you cannot borrow mine.
Part 2, some personal advice.
If you have never owned a band saw before, buy a new one. The
book gives tips for judging a used saw’s condition, but if you are a
novice to band saws, take along an experienced advisor. That old
thing somebody has had sitting out back under a tarp may have
hidden horrors. The large drive wheels have rubber tires on them
and they will be rotted out. Often the bearings are shot and other
parts are damaged. Many saw parts are pot metal and crack or
break. Fixing and tuning and old saw will take the fun out of it. And
replacing a motor is expensive, $100 or more.
Never, ever buy a 3 wheel band saw. The blades will not track and will come off while you are working on
something. Also avoid silly things such as drill-motor driven saws.
Get the largest saw you can afford. The best buy is a 14” for wood carvers. That size will cut a 6” thick blank
or a 12” with a neck extension.. But the saw will set you back some $450 or more. If your budget is not up to
that, $150 will get you a 9” or 10” that will cut 3.5” thick blanks.
Buy expensive blades. A $40 blade will outlast a $15 blade 10:1. I once got a “deal” on blades and all of them
broke or wore out in less than a half hour of sawing. Live and learn.
The Ramona Country
Carvers announce that
the following featured
vendors will be at the
March Show:
Drake Knives,
Dave & Michele
Stetson,
McBeth Lumber,
and
Macs Knives.
Ramona Country Carvers
30th Annual
Woodcarving Show
& Sale
with
The Decoy & Wildfowl Carvers Assn.
March 14th & 15, 2009
Sat. 9am – 4:30pm / Sun. 9am – 4 pm
Valley Wide Sports Center
901 W. Esplanade Ave, San Jacinto, CA
Hundreds of Beautiful Carvings on Display by some of the
very best wood carvers in California, plus vendors with
carving tools, wood, etc.
$2.00 Donation requested at the door goes to support Valley Wide
For info call Joe Peery @ 951-767-1691
REGISTRATION/ENTRY FORM FOR
RAMONA-COUNTRY CARVERS SHOW
MARCH 14-15, 2009
NAME _ _____________________________________ PHONE # _________________________________
ADDRESS ____________________________________ E-MAIL___________________________________
CITY: _________________________________ STATE ____________ ZIP CODE ____________________
CCG MEMBER # _______________
RESALE # _______________________________
MUST HAVE CURRENT # TO SELL
PRICE
EXHIBITOR TABLE – 6 FT.
$15.00
QTY. #
X
TOTAL
________
=
$____________
VENDOR TABLE – 8 FT.
$35.00
X
________
(2 COMPETITION ENTRIES INCLUED W / EACH TABLE PURCHASED )
=
$____________
# OF ENTRIES ( INCLUDED WITH TABLE PURCHASED )
NON CCG _________
CCG _________
FOR MORE THAN 2 ENTRIES (ABOVE) OR THOSE NOT PURCHASING A TABLE:
CCG ENTRIES
$5.00 EA
X
_________
=
$____________
NON CCG ENTRIES
$5.00 EA
X
_________
=
$____________
TOTAL ENTRIES FOR JUDGING ___________
TOTAL$ _____________
BANQUET SATURDAY NIGHT #______ X $20.00 EA = $_________
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $_________________
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO RAMONA-COUNTRY CARVERS
P.O. BOX 1168, SAN JACINTO, CA 92581
ENTERING SATURDAY WHITTLING CONTEST?
DEADLINE FEBRUARY 21, 2009
QUESTIONS CALL JOE PEERY 951-767-1691
B_______ I _______
A _______
Best of Show in the
Expert Division by
Alfred Ikeda
A SUCCESSFUL ORANGE COUNTY WOODCARVING SHOW
The Orange County Chapter #2 was host to the Orange CountyWoodcarving Show at the Tustin Senior Center on October 18th and 19th this year. There were 75 entries to be judged, there were 22 first place, 25 second
place, and 22 third place ribbons awarded. Best of Show division winners were judged and Alfred Ikeda was
awarded the Best of Show in the Expert division with his “Feather and Leaf” entry. Advanced Best of Show in
the Advanced Division went to Jim May with his “Tree House in a Log”, and Novice Best of Show was Douglas
Ellington with his realistic “Red Sand Trout.” All of the carvings showed a lot of creative work in each division.
The entertaining auction was held at the Saturday evening banquet.
12 pumpkins carved from Avocado by the Orange County Chapter #2
carvers; the Huntington Beach Chapter carved a beautiful Christmas
carousel, and Richard Otsubo carved and painted a beautiful arrangement of Hawaiian flowers in a vase for the auction. Larry Asmus
from Irvine had the winning ticket for Richard Otsubo’s Blue Ribbon
Winning American Kestrel.
The Orange County Carvers wish to thank all those who contributed
and participated in another wonderful woodcarving show.
Douglas Ellington’s Best of Show Novice. Red Sand Trout
Jim May’s Tree House in a Log. Best of the Advanced
William (Bill) Murray Youngs
William Murray Youngs (Bill) was born in Kentucky
in 1920 to Vernon and Virginia Youngs. He was in the
Navy from 1942 to 1946. In 1943 he married Nell Brown.
He attended Abilene Christian College in Abeline, Texas,
studying journalism. He worked for newspapers until 1961
whne he joined the staff at Pepperdine College in Los
Angeles.
He and Nell have three sons, Jim, Gary and Tim and
two grandchildren James and Monica all of Colorado. Bill
was a founding member of the California Carvers Guild,
holding membership card #2. In 1975 Bill and Nell bought
a woodcarving gallery in Cambria, which they ran for 5
years. In 1981, they were chosen to operate CCG’s gallery
and museum in San Simeon until 1989, with the help of
Bob and Marsha Goss.
Bill and Nell celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in
September in Colorado where they have lived since 2001.
He passed away October 25th after a battling with cancer.
Sigrid Roesch
12/18/42-10/17/2008
Sigrid was born in Oschstz Germany and migrated to
the U.S.A. with her parents at an early age.
She married John and they had two daughters and two
grandsons. She adored all of her family and spent lots
of personal time with each of them.
Sigrid joined the Santa Anita Wood Carvers Chapter 24
and became a member of C.C.G.
She studied caricature carving under Myer Piet and
made quite a few lovely carvings.
Another of her talents was working with stained glass.
She was elected President of Chapter 24 starting
January 2008. All of the members appreciated her
dedication to leading the chapter activities both in
carving and social. Her cheerfulness and manner will
always be remembered.
2008
Dec 10-13
DEC
JAN Jan 15-17
Jan 24,
CTC at Banning Stagecoach KOA, Banning Lynn (909) 599-4498
2009
CTC at Lake Park Resort, Lake Elsinore Lynn (909) 599-4498
CCG Meeting - Centennial Park, Paso Robles CCG Directors, officers and all interested
members are invited 9:00 am
FEB Feb 5-7
Banning Stagecoach KOA, Banning Lynn (909) 599-4498
Feb TBA
RV Carvers at French Camp Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
Feb 13-22
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival Bob (760)347-1751
Feb 14 - 15 California Open PSWA in San Diego - Bob (619) 588-7141
MAR Mar 5-7
Mar 11-13
Mar 14 -15
Mar 16-18
APRIL Apr TBA
Apr 15-18
Apr TBA
Apr 19-26
CTC at Woods Valley Campground, Valley Center Lynn (909) 599-4498
RCC Pre -Show Workshop- Dave (carving 2- days) & Michelle Stetson (painting- 1 day)
Ramona Country Carvers in San Jacinto & Regional Meet
RCC Workshop After Show -Gil Drake Sea Captain
Santa Clara Valley Carvers in Saratoga & Regional Meet
CTC at Far West Resorts, Santa Paula Lynn (909) 599-4498
RV Carvers at Campers Inn , Dunnigan Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
Oakhurst Woodcarving Rendezvous Jack Parks (562)- 425-0732
MAY May 2-3
Capital Woodcarvers Spring Show
May 14-16 CTC at Lone Wolf RV Park, Apple Valley, Lynn (909) 599-4498
May 9 -10 Santa Anita & Smoky Hollow Co -Sponsored Show in Arcadia Park (626) 795-5235
May TBA Red Bluff Woodcarvers Show in Red Bluff Al (530) 824-5669
May TBA
RV Carvers- at Kit Fox, Patterson Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
JUNE Jun 4-6
Jun TBA
Jun TBA
Jun TBA
CTC at Mountain Valley RV Resort,Hemet Lynn (909) 599-4498
San Diego County Fair - Design in Wood
RV Carvers - French Camp Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
CCG Directors Meeting, Paso Robles
JULY July -TBA
RV Carvers at Duck Island, Rio Vista Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
AUG Aug TBA
RV Carvers at Camp Norge Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
SEPT Sept TBA
Tri-Valley Show at Veterans Memorial Hall, 301 Main St. Pleasanton
CCCC Rendezvous - San Simeon State Park lower campgrnd
Central Coast Woodcarvers in Cayucos Vets Hall
Mojave Valley Show in Barstow
Sept TBA
Sept. TBA
Sept TBA
OCT Oct 1-4
TBA
TBA
TBA
CTC at Mountain Valley RV Resort , Hemet Lynn (909) 599-4498
Channel Islands One Great Day of Woodcarving Allan Plasch (805) 644-3758
RV Carvers at Skyline Park, Napa Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
Orange County Woodcarving (Tustin Senior Center) Bill Bahret 714-771-6129
NOV Oct 29-Nov 1 CTC at Lone Wolf Colony, Apple Valley Lynn (909) 599-4498
Nov 28- 29 Artistry in Wood in Santa Maria Gary Gresham (805) 451-7324
Nov TBA Riverside Chip Chuckers Woodcarving
Nov TBA RV Carvers at 49er Resort Plymouth Robert Burns (707) 996-7622
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
PERMIT #325
Melody Mullis, Log Editor
California Carvers Guild
7475 Castano Ave,
Atascadero, CA 93422
Dated Material
The Log
December 2008
Lynn Nicholson presents Al Fougner with
CCG recognition for many years of service.
Betty Fougner looks on.