[Woodcarver] Waterleaf or egg and dart moldings

[Classic Carving Patterns]

Hi Joyce,

First, relax!  Copyright problems in writing a How-To article comes when
you copy someone else's words, word for word, and imply that they are
your words.  When you are creating something like a molding there are a
certain set of steps that you have to go through, certain tools you have
to use, and certain processes that are involved.  It doesn't matter who
is doing the work, you or Chris, those steps don't change.  So you are
probably not infringing on anyone's copyright when you are giving
directions on how to do those steps.

Second, since you are choosing standard (common) molding style you
probably are not infringing on someone else's copyrighted artwork.  Now
if that molding strip has a unique, one of a kind by the artist layout
or included a jointed corner carving of Chris Pye's original dragon then
there may be problems.  But that does not sound like the case here and
it sounds like you are doing a historic molding style, one that has been
repeated many many times.

Start with a simple outline that includes all of the steps you need to
do to complete the molding, #1 through 35 or whatever.  Then under each
step make a note of each of the tools or supplies that you will be using
as you do the step.  Under that add any notes that the reader might need
to know as grain direction, depth of cut, how to hold the tool ... 

Now do a small test run so that you can check your camera, check your
steps, and refresh yourself about how the molding is cut.  Then do the
actual carving.  I find it easiest sometimes to have a small tape
recorder or notepad and pen on my work table so that I can "tell" myself
what I am doing as I am doing it.  Later, after  the work is done I can
do my write up from the notes I made during the working process. When
you go to write the article put all the "class notes" away and work only
from your bench notes or recording.

As for finding another source you might want to call around and find a
cabinet shop in your area.   Some do still make their own molding strips
and might be available to you for interviews.

Good luck and have fun with the article.  Remember some of your audience
may be very experienced but many may not.  You never know what little
bit of information you add to your article that seems common place or
basic to you but is exactly what someone reading the article really
needed to know!!!!

I am curious ... Did Chris Pye know that your scholarship was based on
your writing an article based on his class and his teaching? 
Susan Irish



Carving Patterns Online
Designs Online Since 1997!
Classic Carving Patterns By L.S.Irish
http://www.CarvingPatterns.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at six.pairlist.net] On Behalf Of Joyce Hanna
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 8:43 PM
To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
Subject: [Woodcarver] Waterleaf or egg and dart moldings


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Hi,
I hope someone can help me out.

I received a "scholarship" to attend a class on moldings taught by 
Chris Pye.  The conditions of the scholarship were that I write an 
article explaining how to make one of the moldings.  The class was 
excellent; Chris is an extraordinary teacher and great person, and I 
learned a great deal.  Problem: the article is due soon, and the 
audience is people who know a great deal about making- and carving- 
American period furniture.  I feel totally inadequate to the task! 
Everytime I try to write, I feel as if I am copying people who have 
already written excellent articles on this subject, such as Chris 
himself and Fred Wilbur.  The class used writings by Chris Pye, so 
those were my  "notes".  Also, the tools I bought to make the 
moldings are the same ones as in his article, as was the router bit. 
I can't afford to buy all new gouges and bits to vary the molding so 
it becomes "my" molding. I plan to photograph the carving stage by 
stage with instructions, so that part I am ok with.  It is the rest- 
introduction, information about which furniture to use the moldings 
on, bits of advice, etc., that has me nervous. I plan to choose 
either egg and dart or waterleaf moldings to describe.  Can anyone 
refer me to some written material so that I have more than two 
sources of information (Pye and Wilbur) to rely on?   After the long 
discussion of copyright laws, I am intimidated by not only the 
audience but by writing itself.  Maybe one of you carves these 
moldings and could share some information that is not copyrighted.

The other problem is that I have dial up internet service and I can't 
use the web as a resource because I pay by the hour and it crashes or 
doesn't work most of the time. It's fine for email; but it is way too 
expensive for me to get direct service.  So I am limited to stuff I 
can order via the library interloan service,  or buy at the bookstore.

If you have not tried carving moldings, it is great fun!  I plan to 
use some on a bookcase to dress it up.

Joyce
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