I began woodcarving sometime around1989 or 1990. Carving was something I had been interested in for as long as I can remember. I attended the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, CA every year simply to watch a wood carver carve a Carousel Horse. I finally decided to try to learn to carve. I joined a woodcarving club but found it to be of little help. Most of the people seemed more interested in socializing than carving. I heard of another club and joined that one. The instructor was very knowledgeable but seemed to only be interested in some of the projects that other students were working on more than teaching a beginner. He was also a no-show, quite frequently. I decided to buy some books and see what I could learn on my own. It was frustrating in the beginning. But, I stuck with it and have enjoyed and learned from every carving that I have completed. I still carve every day. I attend all of the carving shows that I can and devour everything in all of the carving magazines. I own good carving tools after having owned many bad ones! I will post some of the things that I have carved and post others as I complete them.
It seems like a lifetime ago since I posted this. Ironically, I am just getting back into carving. My shoulders would not allow it for many years. I finally gave in, had the surgery and the arthritis immediately moved to my hands. I sold all of my tools, swiss made, the best. Now, in 2020, my hands are much better. The arthritis has taken in its toll on my back, my knees and many other spots but so far, not my hands. I have purchased some less expensive carving tools as I live on a very tight budget but hopefully can work my way up. I am looking closely at some Schaaf tools to start with. Any comments? Thanks for looking!
