ST. CHARLES AREA WOODCARVERS

March 2004

Club News

 President Mitchell is finalizing the arrangements for the May 1st show at O'Fallon.  The Club will have 7 tables under a tent outside and 12 tables inside the center.  A few tables remain available, so please contact Charlie if you are interested.  He also has the sign up list for demonstrations during the day.  In return, club members are expected to demonstrate carving, burning,... during the show.  Members are asked to sign up for at least one hour of demonstration time.

The Leifeld humming bird seminar was postponed due to a scheduling conflict at the center.  A new date is to be announced.  Wilbert's wood spirit class is scheduled for 6 March 2004.  Check with Pres. Mitchell to see if there are any open slots. 

Charlie Sapp agreed to oversee the club fall show.  Martha B. will chair the greeting committee; Dave L. will chair the judging committee.  It is hoped that the other chair persons from last year will also handle their respective committees.  Judging rules will be finalized by March so that invitations can be sent out in early spring.  It has been suggested that we change the name of the show.      "Wonders of Wood" does not seem to convey the show activities.  WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR A NEW SHOW NAME?  PASS OR MAIL YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO PRES. MITCHELL OR CHARLIE SAPP.  

Tip of the Month

Keep those used coffee grounds. Let them dry then mix with common white glue until you have a paste. Spread over your piece and let dry. This can be piled up to any shape for hills or just level ground. Smells good too!

 How many times have you read a carving book and said “I’ve know that tip for a long time?”  Well here is your chance to share what you have learned with new (and old) club members.  Send me your tip of the month to share.  I will even give you credit for the tip.

Demonstration

In place of a different demonstration each month the directors plan to get members to host a "table" with a project that could take one week or many weeks.  Multiple tables would be offered and members could select the table that interested them.  Wilbert Brewton hosted a table at the January 21st meeting.  Wilbert provided blanks for the carving of St. Anthony.  The carving offered challenges for both the new and the experienced carver.  Each level adding a degree of detail to the carving: facial detail, robe sashes and braids, ...... Interested carvers will be expected to pay for the rough outs and material required for the projects.  If you have a project that you would like to share and instruct other carvers, please bring it in.

Help Needed

Do you have a problem or need assistance with some aspect of your carving / burning / etc.  Send me a note and we will solicit feedback from others that may have been there, done that. 

Dues are Due

Its time to pay your dues for 2004; $10.  Contact the Membership Chairman, Charles Sapp, or Treasurer Bob Craven.  Club patches are available from Bob Craven for $5. 

Show Case

Dave Lincoln filled the show case with his art work during the month of February.  Dave enjoys carving realistic human figures and concentrates on Native Americans and old west characters.  He has trained with Wilbert Brewton, Rex Branson, Jeff Phares, and Gerald Copeland. Dave is a member of the St. Charles Area Woodcarvers, West County Woodcarvers, Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers and the Belleville Holzsnitzers. He was an instructor for several years with the St. Charles adult education program and has won several ribbons in competitions.  Dave is now serving as Chairman of the Judging Committee for the club's fall show.

Show and Tell

Charlotte Cross used a tree leaf as a pattern for the nut tray and finished it with leaf painting using water colors.	Corky Brece completed this Indian mask.	Charlie Mitchell carved this trapper and Indian in basswood and then bleached it.  The finished carving looked like it was done in ivory.
Wilbert Brewton brought in his carving of the banjo teacher.  The carving was done from a single piece of wood.	Charlie Mitchell displayed the drawing he made from (not after) a bottle of wine.  Charlie is using the pattern for a relief carving.	Wilbert Brewton showed his lady carving.  He described his process to the club:  first making a clay model, coating it with glue to harden it for the duplicator, creating a rough out, and then making the final carving.  Great work.
Corky Breece displayed his completed cowboy figure.	St. Anthony singing praises.  Carved by Charles Sapp from the demo with Wilbert.	Horse carved by Wyatt Sample.
Jim Leifeld's duck.	Racoon carved by Bill Kuhn.	Carousel horse head by Ray Plofzien.
Crew member carved by Al Westfall.

When you have an item for show and tell, please get my attention before you leave (presuming that I remember to bring the camera).  If you have a digital picture of your work, send it to me for publishing.

Charles W. Sapp

Editor