[Woodcarver] What's Everyone Up To?

[Donna Menke]

Well, getting ready for a long carving week and show in the Valley has given me lots to do for the past few weeks. New class is the full-sized hummingbird with inserted tail feathers. I made a 17 page instruction booklet in color with illustrations and patterns for my students to start with. Then I was making go-bys when someone wanted one for a present- so there went my example. Then I got the 'brilliant' idea to make some of these out of hardwood- like I do the hummer pins. Weeeelllll- easier said than done. I put together one in lacewood and one in figured maple yesterday- and it wasn't easy. Today I'll put some oil on them and they should look real good- if not, then I've wasted a lot of time and energy and fingerprints. Next time I will consider using power instead of only my hands.

Meanwhile, a lady ordered more than $200 of the hummer pins blanks in a bunch of different hardwoods- Amboina burl to zebra, and even one in ebony. After cutting all those out I decided to make a few to sell and to promote the blanks. Again with hand power I did 6, with one each in Redwood burl, Amboina burl, Box Elder, Ambrosia maple, lacewood, and koa. I'm looking forward to putting some finish on them today- they should be pretty.
So, between making copies of instructions, cutting out blanks and sanding my little heart away I've been as busy as possible. Funny- it takes 2 weeks to prepare for a one week class, and then 2 weeks afterwards to recover. Ya gotta love it.
Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book



----- Original Message ----

> From: Corey Hallagan <iowawoodcarver at gmail.com>

> To: [Woodcarver] <woodcarver at carverscompanion.com>

> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:48:43 PM

> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] What's Everyone Up To?

> 

> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion Shop 

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> 

> Good to hear from yah Maura. Sounds like you have been really busy. Me I am just 

> plugging way with the knife :)  Learning as I go.  Take care of that back. Been 

> suffering with that over the last 20 years but have avoided the knife so far! 

> Take care,

> 

> Corey

> 

> 

> On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 9:43 PM, wrote:

> 

> Friends in Carving: Please support our List - visit the Carvers' Campanion Shop 

> at http://cafepress.com/woodcarving

> 

> 

> 

> 

> I have been busy teaching my class, carving miniature wolves, doing antique 

> restoration work and carving a memorial plaque in aspen for a deceased hunters 

> family. Wondering now if I should paint or stain or some combination of the 

> two.  Of course my back has chosen this particular week to go out on 

> me, never had a problem before, I hope it isnt a foreboding of my future. 

> Feeling a bit dopey on the meds they've given me. Always busy lately but always 

> listening in.

>  

> Maura

> www.Carvinginnyc.com

> 

> 

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> -- 

> Corey

> IowaCarver

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