So I've Taken Up Wood Carving....

Thought this week I would have a stab at carving in some greenwood I picked up a few months back . Only took 5 hours to carve from start to finish.

I picked this piece out as I could see the initial shape of what I wanted to carve in it. I forgotten what the proper horticultural term is for the joint but felt it may work in my favour. I was wondering if anyone knew why the bark had bunched up in the middle.



After 3 hours I had my rough shape.




And after attaching a bill and leaving overnight then sanding and adding a bit of detail he was now finished.



I'm now pondering if I should paint him or not. Like a white or black all over like a contemporary style.

Or just give him a coat of beewax .

 

Other half has almost finished off making me my own vice just for carving (overdue Christmas present). He made it mostly out of bits knocking about his workshop. He cut the thread and handle on his lathe too.



Me carving my current piece on it...

 

I had to make one at school (standard workshop project for all pupils ...). Yours looks a millions times nicer

 

Seems a bit odd having to make a carvers vice at school to me. A bit too specialised as it were. Are you sure it wasn't a bog standard one,to be fair they are both quite similar.

Final robin pose is done (needs a coat of oil still). I never want to see another robin once these are done for quite some time. Although I have enjoyed making them, I should add but need a change.



Also I returned back to the shop I inquired about selling my carvings to late last year and after showing her some pictures she said she wasn't interested because they were made from wood. Went home a bit deflated but not beaten, I wasn't pinning all my hopes on one shop anyway.

I went to another shop yesterday run by a sort of friend of mine and mentioned the carvings and having being knocked back by the first shop. She took a look at the photos and told me I can sell them there instead and she doesn't want hardly anything in commission for them either.

 

My latest project that was taken a picture of in my new vice is now finished. Thought I would have a go at painting this one this time. Carved from green birch that has been left to dry stedily in the workshop for the past month or so.



Not sure if I will keep the copper belt and crown yet or not.

 

I think it adds to the charm of the carving JJ,
Jenny

 

T'was a regular vice as you surmised - well ... a bodge-of-a-vice

 

Much more useful than what we made in woodworking when I was at school

 

Just finished the first one of my 3 wise men out of silver birch, which I prefer to work with over oak now.

Have had a major setback with my confidence in my abilities in carving after the friend I was making all 16 robins for wanted them changed because of continuity differences. Didn't really like the pressure I was putting myself under and so gave her her money back and have stuffed the robins in a box out of sight for a few months.

 

@Jungle Jane ...when you get chance you could do to get you're 'online' shop on the go and get your Robins 'out there',I'm sure you'd do really well with your carvings
I don't quite get it ...when things are hand made people shouldn't expect exact replicas that's what makes them more special IMO..They are unique ....

Love the Wise man BTW

 

Thanks Loli. It really means a lot right now. I'm really not confident about having an online shop anymore tbh. I have the time to set one up later in the year but am concerned I will have people reject them again but it will be even more complicated as it's online etc. It's something I'm giving some seroius thought.

In the meantime I will continue carving. I won't give up on it, but need to give a few techniques some serious thinking and research.

 

Just an idea...When you have the time why not seek out when there's any craft fairs in your area,grab a pitch and display your carvings people can look at their leisure and no pressure on you...apart from having to keep up with stock as I'm sure they'll fly off the shelf

 

I finally put my pride to one side and decided to take my robins to the shop who had expressed interest in them. She loved them enough to take all the ones I gave her (some I've held back so I can make copies of them if I decide to do so) and has even put them in her shop window.



She told me she would then put a notice up on her shops facebook page and was surprised that she had a few enquires on how much they were.

I've put all my depressive feelings to one side about these now and hope they will sell, but have concluded that it will take time to do so.

 

You are a true and sensitive Artiste JJ. From what I've read, many painters, sculptors and musicians were often plagued with doubt about their capabilities. You will see, many people appreciate the individuality of such pieces they will sell. But just don't try and put an hourly rate on it - it don't work like that does it,
Jenny

 

Hey, these are really cool!
Im a carpenter myself, but i make bigger less intricate objects lol.

Do you use specific wood carving tools?

So much detail in them.
Keep up the good work, and dont worry about the robins... they are hand made by a human not a CNC machine, i wouldnt expect them to all be the same, just like i dont expect real robins to be identical!