[Woodcarver] An alternate to using soap ...

[Larry Yudis]

Hi John,

 

You've gotten a lot of good ideas about using Ivory soap to carve.

 

We have found that using a block of plasteline clay for young people to
carve on works out a bit better.  It is a type of clay that doesn't harden.
It isn't as messy as soap because it won't fall apart after a certain amount
of handling.  It is stiff enough that a young person can develop different
"carving" techniques that they can use in the future.  It can be carved with
popsicle sticks, a dull butter knife, a spoon or any other dull, non-harmful
instrument(s).  

 

The nice thing about using that kind of clay is when he is done with a
project and is tired of it, he can push everything together in a big hunk
and start on his next creation.  The clay comes in a 2 lb. brick.  If you're
not familiar with it, you can see it here:
http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/store/p/281-CHAVANT-PROFESSIONAL-2-PLASTELIN
E-CLAY.html 

 

Hope this helps getting a young person interested in something other than
video games.  Something that will nurture his brain instead of frying it.

:o)  


 

Larry (BIG DOG) Yudis, Owner

The Woodcraft Shop

2724 State St.

Bettendorf, IA 52722

800-397-2278

thewoodcraftshop at mchsi.com

www.thewoodcraftshop.com 

 

Carol and Larry Yudis, Show Chairs

International Woodcarvers Congress

Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd.

PO Box 104

Bettendorf, IA 52722

563-505-2700 (Carol's cell)

563-676-8264 (Larry's cell)

congress at mchsi.com 

www.awcltd.org <http://www.awcltd.org/>  

 

From: woodcarver-bounces at carverscompanion.com
[mailto:woodcarver-bounces at carverscompanion.com] On Behalf Of Marcia Berkall
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 8:15 AM
To: [Woodcarver]
Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] my best carver

 

I agree.  Soap Carving is a great way to start.  I have taught soap carving
classes and have a few tips for tools.  Orange sticks are great tools.  You
can make similar tools by cutting bamboo skewers into 4 or 5" lengths,
tapering one end to a point, cand cutting the other at and angle to for a
skew.  I also use paper clips.  Open them up to form 2 curved ends of
different sizes. They make great "gouges" and if you use two different sizes
of paper clips, you end up with 4 different size "gouges". 

I have found that prior to about age 9, most children have trouble with the
conceptualizing three dimensions. If you ask them to make a ball out of the
soap, it will end up resembling a flat circle.  Just something to be aware
of to minimize frustration.

Have fun!

Marcia (aka Mush)
At 08:06 AM 2/9/2011, you wrote:



Who, among you is my best carver?  My grandson, age 7,  wants to carve but
cannot handle the tools.  I try to help him but he just doesn't understand
he can,t do all he sees me do.  He loves to see the carvings I get in the
Secret Pal exchange.  He told me yesterday he wants to carve something and
send it to "my best carver".  I haven't figured what he means but I have a
feeling someone's gonna get a piece of wood in the mail.   Sooooo, who wants
to be my best carver?
 
 John Simpson
Carving in Carthage
Texas, that is

See Marcia's wood carvings at:

Whittlins <http://whittlinsnwood.com/>  'n Wood Web Page
<http://whittlinsnwood.com/> 
*****
Blog <http://cahvah.wordpress.com/> 
*****
ArtWeb <http://artwebmaine.com/>  Maine--Affordable Web Page Design
<http://artwebmaine.com/>

*****

Become a Facebook Fan of Whittlins 'n Wood
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whittlins-n-Wood-Wood-Carvings-and-Wood-Sculp
ture/21737249945> 



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/woodcarver/attachments/20110209/42a967c7/attachment.htm>