CALENDAR
Carving SIG - Daytimes
This interest list is for those who can attend at least some meetings. Monthly reminders announce upcoming topics.
DESCRIPTION
These monthly carving meetings are a combination of demo, presentation, and hands-on, open to beginners and experienced alike. Topics vary over time. Previous focus topics were on sharpening, rotary carving tools, knives, Japanese wood blocks, and chip carving.
DATES/TIMES - Monthly on the 1st Wednesday (formerly it was a Thursday). The start time is 1:00 but you are free to arrive anytime after noon to eat, hangout, and perhaps do some personal work.
NOTE: There is another Carving SIG meeting in the evenings on third Thursdays at the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers in Multnomah Village. To register for this series, click here.
NOTE: In addiiton, there is the Eastside Carving Gathering meetings near NW 31st and Sandy from 10:00-1:00.
LOCATION - Rockler Store, Beaverton, 11773 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005
COST - Free, however, the real cost is you sharing your experience, questions, successes, and frustrations so we all can learn from and help each other.
COORDINATOR is Larry Wade, (503-312-7745, lpwade@gmail.com), but expect others to pitch in over time (this could be you!).
Eastside Carver's Gathering
Registration is not required but OK
3 Hour Session
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION A simple project will be available for beginners who would like to learn and for intermediate carvers that want a little quick fun whittle. It requires only one carving knife and a fairly small block of wood. Gloves are recommended, of course, because the carving is small and the carver needs to hold the piece.
Wood will be provided. There will be a few pieces in different stages of completion so you can visualize the process.
Bring your own carving knife and safety gear like gloves if you have them. However, a few gloves and knives will be available for new carvers to use. Our gatherings are always the first Saturday of the month.
If you are a carver and would just like to meet and talk with other carvers, you are welcome to come. Bring your own project to work on and share techniques, interests and a good time.
Please join us. Just show up. No registration is necessary.
LOCATION
Morningstar Assisted Living, 3140 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
QUESTIONS?
Contact Tom Rich. (tom@tomrich.me)
Focus on First Nations Carvings
. .
There is considerable interest in First Nations (Native American) carvings.
With luck, noted carver Lonnie Accord will be able to share his 40 years of carving experience. Lonnie lives in a more remote part of west-central Washington without broadband, so this program will feature pre-recorded interviews at his carving studio,
This will also be an opportunity to include the work of both newcomers as well as continuing practitioners.
If you have questions, send an email to lpwade@gmail.com
Please register in case of changes and to receive program handouts.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Sharpening is intimidating for new carvers. This class gives you an essential foundation for stropping correctly. Sharpening is a career-long journey; this is your chance to start. Future classes will cover more advanced sharpening techniques and problem solving.
HANDOUT - A handout is downloadable by clicking here, and a 30 minute supporting video is viewable by clicking here. You need to review them prior to the class since they are the basis for what will be practiced.
COVID & FLU - If you are sick, not fully recovered, or living with someone who is please cancel and attend a future monthly session.
COST - $30 for tuition. Leather for making your own strops are usually available at the class for $10.
WORKSHOP LEADER - Roger Crooks or Larry Wade
TOOLS - If you have them, bring your own knife, gouge, V tool, strop and honing compound. However, practice tools and loaner strops are available so you don't have to bring anything.
Introduction to Carving (INCISED)
Register for either the morning or the afternoon session, pick one
.
The incised carving style typically creates line drawings etched into the surface of wood (or linoleum, gourds, soap, etc.) and can be done safely with one tool.
This workshop is for those who have never carved or want to try incised carving. It is hands-on, in-person. You will be provided with free Basswood, a loaner V-tool and several patterns to choose from. During the class you will carve the Dogs Welcome Sign and be encouraged to plan a second project afterwards.
DATES/TIMES - 2 1/2 hours, date as noted
COST - free tuition, free wood, free loaner V tool
WORKSHOP LEADER is Larry Wade, (503-312-7745, lpwade@gmail.com)
WOOD - Basswood or White Pine will be provided.
Introduction to Carving (WHITTLING)
This class has a morning and an afternoon option- pick one or the other when you register. If both sessions are full, please put your name on the waitlist, and I'll schedule another session at a mutually agreeable time.
Whittling is carving with a knife. The Otter project is a great grain training exercise while helping you develop knife handling skills. The otter is three dimensional, in the round. The tail can be carved flat to make a letter opener.
This workshop is for those who have never carved or want to try whittling You are provided with free wood, a loaner tool, pattern, glove, and thumb guard. During the class you will carve the Otter.
COST - free tuition, free wood, free loaner tool
WOOD - Basswood
INTEREST LIST - for future classes
Caricature Carving with Terry Moss
Terry Moss is a skilled caricature carver and the president of the Capitol WoodCarvers Club in Salem. He regularly teaches a weekend caricature carving class in Salem, the Oregon Coast, or the Portland area. If you are interested in knowing about future classes, put your name on this list. There is no obligation.
The class is intended for beginner and intermediate carvers. The seasonal figure is usually carved out of 2x2x12 Basswood which will be roughed out ahead of time so students can concentrate on the essential carving. The exact figure to be carved depends on the timing for the class..
COST - varies sometimes but usually in the $125-150 range, depending on location and whether space needs to be rented.
PREREQUISITES - Beginner or intermediate level carver or above with some experience using a carving knife.
FOOD - you usually bring your own.
TOOLS - You will need to provide your own (sharp) tools, but they are modest - detail knife, small V tool, micro gouge. Some might be available to loan.
CARVING SAFETY - You should read the relevant parts of our carving safety manual and be prepared to follow those practices.
COVID/FLU - What, me worry? Yes, we will, and you should plan on standard protocols of staying home if sick, living with some who is, recently exposed, etc.
For questions contact Terry Moss at tbmoss@msn.com or Larry Wade, lpwade@gmail.com
How to Make Comfort Birds
Free 3 hour classes to be scheduled based on interest
Many want to learn how to make comfort birds, and we want to help. We will schedule free workshops based on interest. Separate classes will focus on carving them with a knife or with rotary power tools (like a Dremel).
Power tools are used to make birds out of hard woods like Walnut and Maple, while soft woods like Basswood and Butternut can be carved by hand with a knife and a safety glove. Some can be made in combination - roughed out with power and finished by carving.
The general steps are:
- cut 2" x 2" x 5" or 10" long blocks - use a template to mark the top and side profiles - use a band saw to cut the blank - remove the edges and roughly shape the bird - refine the carving - sand by power, by hand, or a combination - apply a finish - put in a velvet bag and give to a delighted user
- cut 2" x 2" x 5" or 10" long blocks
- use a template to mark the top and side profiles
- use a band saw to cut the blank
- remove the edges and roughly shape the bird
- refine the carving
- sand by power, by hand, or a combination
- apply a finish
- put in a velvet bag and give to a delighted user
We'll provide the wood and everything you need. You may not be able to finish during the workshop, but you can checkout tools and supplies to complete the work at home.
For the definitive article on making comfort birds, click here.
DATES/TIMES - to be scheduled once a few express an interst
COST - Free
Contact Larry Wade at 503-312-7745, lpwade@gmail.com for questions, otherwise register your interest.
Address: Oregon Carvers Guild, 3110 NW Linmere Dr, Portland, Oregon 97229Email: oregoncarvers@gmail.com
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