[Woodcarver] WOOD CARVER FROM INDIA

[Bill Judt]

Gentle Subscribers:

I'm not inclined to dismiss this letter from Sarfaraz as "insulting".  
I don't think that was his intent. And I don't think his message  
constitutes SPAM, either.

There are people in third world countries who make a subsistence  
living from wood carving... think of the work that makes its way into  
the stores run by "Ten Thousand Villages" (http:// 
www.tenthousandvillages.ca/). I think this is what he is talking about.

We need to remember that North American carvers carve mostly for  
pleasure and as a pass-time. Most carvers overseas, especially in  
poorer countries carve because their life depends on it. Those who  
actually make a living from their carving have organized, as Sarfaraz  
is suggesting, to create and market their wood carving products and  
to obtain "fair wage" for their work.

Sarfaraz, I believe, misunderstands the mentality of the North  
American carver, who carves to be creative, to socialize, to relieve  
stress. Few North American carvers make their living by carving. This  
can come as a shock to those who come from poor countries where  
carving skills are life-skills.

Yet in my 25 years of experience as a carving instructor, I've  
noticed that carving is done mostly by retired men and women, or  
those who are close to retirement, and wish to prepare for it by  
establishing a solid hobby to take them through the retirement years.  
So Sarfaraz is not far off the mark in his assessment of N.A. carving.

What he also misunderstands is that most N.A. carvers do not want  
carving to become work for them. That would take the fun, creativity  
and benefits away from this type of activity.

So, give Sarfaraz a break, OK? Perhaps he has something to teach us.

Blessing and Peace,

Bill
List Owner

My books are for sale at: http://wwwoodcarver.com/Books/index.html
W.F. Judt,
46 Harvard Cres,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7H3R1
PH: 306-373-6649
Email: bjudt at sasktel.net
Website: http://www.wwwoodcarver.com


On 21-Oct-06, at 10:44 PM, Byron wrote:

>

> Kind of insulting.  I've seen this kind of talk before.  If you  

> want to see more just do a search on 419.

>

> Byron Kinnaman

> abkinnaman at earthlink.net

> http://home.earthlink.net/~abkinnaman

>

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: ASIA CARVINGS

> To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net

> Sent: 10/21/2006 9:29:27 PM

> Subject: [Woodcarver] WOOD CARVER FROM INDIA

>

> Hi all,

> I have been on this woodcarver digest list for sometime as a trial  

> for one month granted to me by Mr.bill. I experienced that this  

> portal could be used much better but most of the carver over here  

> are engaged in just personal chitchat. I felt that most of the  

> carvers are retired and having done their last best of the life. No  

> one is interested in utilising carving skill for giving employment  

> to many by marketing the products and importing and exporting  

> somethings between some countries. It seems that this portal is  

> mainly for the retired old men who have no more interest in doing  

> business with the people of other world.

> This is my humble request to all who read this, please interact and  

> help people in marketing woodcarvings to generate employements. Do  

> not share life time experience for personal satisfaction. One of  

> your very small move can become a source for the bread of many  

> people in other countries. This looks indirect but direct  

> assistance or help to the mankind and humanity.

> Any way, please forgive me if it hurt anyone.

> There are many countries where many highly skilled carver are being  

> exploited by large fish in the ocean and they are unble to obtain  

> right wages for them and they are unable to obtain easy bread for  

> their families and hence this noble job is under extinction in many  

> countries.

> I want to raise a voice for such unidentified carvers and so I  

> establish an institution in India and wish to organise carvers from  

> around the world to get those skilled carver on the rise who are  

> hidden due to some uncertain reasons. people around the world  

> mainly fron developed countries must help with their experience to  

> organise this move for charity or so.

> Well i need your attantion please

> Sarfaraz

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