[Woodcarver] how do clubs assist beginner carvers?

[Jack Osbon]

Dave...

The Aiken Wood Carvers Club formed in March of this year. (2006). We do not 
collect dues as we have no real need to do so as our space is donated to us 
by a local Hobby Supply retailer. We will be moving to the Hobby store in 
October from our current location due to the fact we need more space.

We have been meeting  for two nights a month since formation of  the club. 
We will begin meeting each week beginning in October for just the purpose 
you mentioned. It is a waste of time to attract new members and not have 
planned for them. They will not stay.

We plan on having regular "How To..." sessions the first week of each month 
to cater to both the new carver and others wanting "specialty" classes such 
as letter carving. Everyone is welcome to attend, but the beginners get 85% 
of my time. I speak to all, examine their carvings and chat; but ultimately 
I always get back to the beginners. Our how to will be hands on, not simply 
a demo/lecture. We also have a monthly drawing for a carving tool from a 
major manufacturer such as : Two Cherries, Henry Taylor, Foredom, etc. I get 
carving books for as little as 3.00 on Amazon.com. Cheap door prize. Another 
cheap gimmick is : "Wood of the Month" The cost is about $7.)) for a 3x3x7" 
cut of a wood not found locally. This month was Myrtle. We sold 18 pieces 
and got a discount from the provider.

Have something on hand (plan for growth) for new carvers to carve. Failure 
to do so make them feel like an imposition. I maintain at least three 
beginner "kits" at all times. The kit includes: A Murphy carving knife, a 
Kevlar glove (small, medium or large), a cowboy boot blank & pattern, 
leather strop. I sell them to cover only the cost of the items plus 
shipping. These are "precut blanks", store bought supplies. The cost to them 
for years of carving service is $26.00. I don't cut them.

As the unofficial "leader" of the club, I make it my responsibility to 
ensure the new carvers needs are met. Mine and mine alone. I do not do any 
carving at our meetings... I help the beginners with their project. As it 
works out though, the other long time carvers help out greatly, eager to 
share what was shared with them. As a result, we have grown from 13 to 26 
carvers and average 19 at each meeting.

We recently went on a Day trip to a famous woodcarvers studio... cost a 
whopping $7.00 each for gas on a van borrowed from a local church plus the 
meal. Go to an exotic woodyard or a foundry on a trip.

Feel free to contact me directly at: josbon at mastersweb.org . Our club 
website is http://www.mastersweb.org .

Hope this helps...
Happy carving...
Jack

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Andreychek" <mrchipps at adelphia.net>
To: <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 12:39 PM
Subject: [Woodcarver] how do clubs assist beginner carvers?



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> Friends,

>

> Our club wanted new members, so we hold beginner classes several times a 

> year plus other functions to attract new members.  However, after people 

> come to the meetings I discovered that we have little to offer beginners, 

> such as previously cut carving blanks, strops, honing compound, sharpening 

> "stones" made out of wet and dry sandpaper, etc., plus most of the members 

> don't want to be bothered.  Beginners don't have wood, a saw to cut it 

> with, or even an idea of what they would like to carve, since they have no 

> easy books to browse through.

>

> We carve every Monday night.  As a result, a few of us (especially me) 

> scurry around trying to find something for them to carve.  We finally did 

> progress as we are now collecting blanks geared for beginners, strops & 

> stuff.  But it's still a hassle finding wood and cutting everything out 

> for them until thay can function on their own.

>

> How do other clubs cater to beginners?

>

> Thanks,

>

> --

> Dave

>

> for you, O Lord, has not forsaken those who seek you.

>

>                          Psalms 9:10

>

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