Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XVIII, Issue 3, March 2011
 

Notes from our President -

Our little carving club has grown up.  More members, more programs, more public services, and, in some ways, we are more sophisticated.  It’s all good.

Don’t forget the “fringe benefits” that come along with your Club membership:   Bob Hallstrom provides free personalized aprons; Rich Anderson will make a free name tag for you if you don’t have one; and there are free Club decals for your car windows.  All these free of any extra charges.  However, on the “pay with cash” side, there are embroidered Club patches for sewing on jackets available for $5, and Club coffee mugs are offered at the special price of $4 for members.

We enjoy advantages that we too often take for granted.  Advantages that some other clubs may not have.  How often do we stop to think about the really fine facility we have available for our meetings?  Or the superb arrangements with Tebala Shrine Temple for our annual Club Show.  Also included with your membership is this monthly Newsletter. 

See you Wednesday,

Gary Lundquist

 

SAVE TIME MARCH 26 for a tour of a special exhibit at the Burpee Art Museum with Roger Benedict.  Roger’s art tours are always fun and interesting.  We will have more details at a later date.

V.P. BOB CAPION is spearheading a heavy-duty effort to set up some long-range activities for the Club.  To that end, he has written a survey questionnaire for each of us to fill out and return to him.

Here is your opportunity to say what you would like the Club to do.  And, most important, what you could do for the Club.  A copy of the survey form for you is attached to this Newsletter.

 

DEL LOHR, from Forreston, Illinois, came to our Wednesday morning carving session on February 9 with a whole skid-load of carving wood. This was not just a one-shot deal.  Dell says he will try to come around on a more-or-less-regular basis.

He sells carving wood as a business.  He had planned to visit us the week before, but wasn’t able to.  He has several different kinds of wood besides basswood.  Then, too, he has some of what he calls “seconds” at a reduced price.  This is basswood with off-colored graining.

Del can handle special orders as well as standard cuts.  You can get all the details for contacting Del in the “Want Ad” section of this Newsletter.

After the commercial wood buying/selling session, Del spoke briefly on the care of wood in storage; what causes wood to check;  spalting; and problems with power-carving wood with spalting or fungus in the grain.

 

THE CLUB DIRECTORY has names, phone numbers, pictures, and personal notes for all who were members during 2010.  Copies are only  $2 each.

If you wish to change any of your information in the Directory, you can.  That’s OK.  You can even request (and get) a new and different photo of yourself for the 2011 Directory.

The Directory is published in the last part of the year to include all the new members that have just joined.

 

MARCH BIRTHDAYS -

Saint Patrick       -  March 17

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE -

Bob Hallstrom & Don Stansfield are teaching Introduction To Wood Carving  at the Center For Learning In Retirement this  semester.  Don has designed a special practice board for the students.  The board is laid out with ten different cutting situations for the student to try.

BobHallstrom explains some basic carving principles to Rich Truax and Carol Dehning.

Bob Hallstrom shows John Lund where a particular type of knife cut can work better than another type.  Jim Mundinger works in the background.  And Seve Terrill, in the foreground, has his back to the camera.

 

Don Stansfield is demonstrating basic carving cuts to Bill Trosper, Layton Hoel, Brian Steder, and Gary Johnson.

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

“Nearly a lifelong member, I wish to reflect on the past four year’s growth of our Blackhawk Woodcarving Club.  FANTASTIC!  Once a small group in small rooms, (it) is now a high-energy and highly motivated group of men and women in a large room.  Of course, I must also acknowledge the diversified high-class carvers who are here very Wednesday AM, and showing their carvings in our annual Show.  Typically, there are several key members who made this happen.  I would like to honor every single person - - - but, due to perhaps leaving out a name or two, I will avoid any of my embarrassing memory losses.  The many activities are mind-boggling, from carving classes to special carving projects.  If I may, I am speaking for us “Old Timers,” that here is a big THANK YOU, and keep up the good work.”

 Roger Benedict

 

HEL-L-O-O-O  SNOW BIRDS!  When are you coming home?  We miss you!

 

BUSINESS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

 

Secretary’s Report, Steve Terrill

- 36 members @ January meeting

- Don Stansfield introduced visitor Jim Mundinger who is currently in the CLR Introduction To Woodcarving class.

- Gary Lundquist reported the Scout soap carving class in Cherry Valley was moved because of the snow.  Also, 12 Scouts and 4 Club carvers made the teacher/Scout ratio good.

- Jerry Mais made wooden “knives” from tongue depressors.  Each Scout gets the same “knife” as the next.  Good idea.

- Don Stansfield has put together a Beginners’ Kit for any visitor to one of our Wednesday morning carving sessions (or new member) who wants to try carving but has not the right stuff.  The kit includes a knife, a safety glove, and a practice board with the 10 basic cuts all marked out on it.  (See the picture of the board in another part of the Newsletter.)  Don says the sample carving session takes about an hour or so, and he will keep the knife sharpened and ready for whenever a curious person comes along.

- Don reports that he is now an Official Dealer for Denny Carving Tools.  He has a nice inventory (and is getting more) of different knives and chisels.  Don has these items neatly arranged in compartmented plastic cases, and will be bringing them in on Wednesday mornings from now on.

- See also, Show & Tell

Treasurer’s Report, Bob Hallstrom

- The Club is solvent.  Financial details are not reported in a printed publication.

Coffee Cash, Dona Wisner

- All is well.  Reports from now on will be by calendar month, rather than by Club Meeting-to-Meeting as in the past.

Membership Report, Dona Wisner

- reported one new member:

Mark Boyd.  This brings the Active membership up to 87.  With 25 Associates, we have a total of 112 members.

 

SHOW & TELL -

We had a nice batch of wood carvings in for Show & Tell this month.  Steve Terrill provided these descriptions.

Dona Wisner carved a golf ball she calls “Neanderthal Grape,” because it’s purple.

Lonnie Hayes showed a carved golf ball

Gordy Moscinski brought in a child’s tiny pull toy of a moose on a tricycle bought at a sale.  It looked like an antique.

Ozzie Webb showed two beautiful plaques he had carved; then wood-burned; and finally colored very delicately.

 

Roger Benedict showed a mahogany piece with relief carving and pierced technique.  He made the point that mahogany is so hard and difficult to carve that he dared anyone to try it.

Roger also showed a shallow relief of cattails done on a basswood slab.  He had sanded the background, and then used a gouge to impart a random pattern.  Quite interesting results.  He says he likes the effect, and will be using it more on other works in the future.

         

Don Christenson showed a small-size dough bowl he carved out of maple.  Finishing the rounded inside was accomplished with sand paper on a tennis ball.  Inside curves can be a real blister to get smooth, because end grain is so tough.  To make it food-safe, Don finished it inside with vegetable oil.

Tod Wisner showed a caricature carving of a“hill billy,”  Klem  Kadiddlehopper.  The carving was painted in acrylic washes; coated with flat spray varnish; and finally antiqued with a coat of Watco liquid wax mixed with 1 part dark to 4 parts clear.

Jerome Mais showed a bald eagle cane top carved and painted in real eagle colors.  Each feather had been detailed.  Typical Mais attention to detail.

Larry Christianson showed several Santas he has done recently.  These included some free-standing Santas as well as smaller Santa heads suitable for use as bottle stoppers or as Christmas tree ornaments.  One of his free-standing Santas was not painted.  Larry likes it so well that way, he’s planning on leaving it natural.

Will Rottman showed a lighthouse relief.  Nicely finished with pecan stain on the picture itself.  For the integrally-carved frame, Will used a dark walnut stain that set off the picture very well.

 

CLUB  ACTIVITY  SCHEDULE -

Business Meetings & Special Events -

ð March 16 - Business Meeting, Roger Benedict will speak on Carving Safety & Carving Basics

ð April 20 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

ð May 18 - Business Meeting, Program: Karen Hammarberg

ð June 15- Business Meeting, June ?? - Club Picnic

ð July 20 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

ð August 17 - Business Meeting

ð August 20 - Blackhawk Carving Club Show & Compete @ Tebala Temple

ð September 21 - Business Meeting, Wrap-up report on the Annual Show

ð October 19 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project, Select 2012 Nominating Committee

ð November 16 - Business Meeting, Announcements: Club Member of the Year, Slate of officers nominated for 2012

ð December 21 - Christmas Party Brunch & Swap Meet, Election of Officers

ð January 18, 2012 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

ð February 16 - Business Meeting

 

 

CARVING  CLASSES -These are classes within a short drive time of Rockford.  Be sure to check ahead of time, because some of the classes fill up fast.  For  complete listings in all States, look in the different carving magazines.

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5 - Rockford, Illinois, Rock Valley College CLR, Roger Benedict will be teaching a class “Carve Your Profile In Relief.”  Classes are three hours, 9AM-12, once a week for six weeks. $25, plus $12 for a board.  RVC Bell Bldg, Rm #2, 3350 No. Bell School Rd. Call 815‑921‑3930 for more details.

March 4 - 6, Bettendorf, Iowa, “Power Carving A Moose Antler” with Kurt Curtis.  A dust collector is a “must” for this class.  Also, a Foredom or similar tool will be needed for hogging out part of the antler.  $235 plus cost of an antler @ $25 per pound.  (Or bring your own.)  The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722.

April 29 - May 1, Bettendorf Iowa, Realistic “Native American” bust (about 7"x7"x13") carved with Marty Dolphens.  Cost $185 includes butternut roughout.  The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722.

May 27-29, Bettendorf, Iowa, Medium/Middle Relief Carving with John Engler.  Pre-stenciled blanks will be available on a wide variety of subjects. $185, plus cost of blanks @$30 - $35 each.   The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722.

 

CARVING  SHOWS - Shows within 3 to 4 hours one-way drive time of Rockford will be listed as they become known.

March 19-20, Plover, WI.  Annual show, competition, sale Wisconsin River Woodcarvers, Elizabeth Inn & Convention Center, Hwy 54 & I-39.  9:00 - 4:00, Adm $2, under 12 yrs, free.  Ron O’Cray 715-341-2214.

March 26-27, Green Bay, WI, Northeastern Wisconsin Woodworker’s Guild 29^th Show, Sale, & Raffle, 9:30-5:00 Sat & Sun.  Free Adm, Green Bay Southwest High School, 1331 Packerland Drive, 920-468-0132.

April 9-10, Waterloo, IA.  38^th Annual Iowa State Show, Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St, Sat noon-5, Sun 11:00-4:30, free admission.  Roger Beane 319-283-2688

 

WANT ADS - Carving stuff only.  Free listings for individuals, clubs, and vendors (members and non-members ).

2010 Annual Membership Directory -   Names, pictures, and phone numbers. Copies available every Wednesday morning session. $2.00

Carving Wood, all kinds - Del Lohr, 40251 West Rt #2, Lightsville Rd, Forreston, IL 61030, 815-938-2263

Rich Andersen has a whole bunch of woodcarving things that he is selling for a friend.  Great values, good prices, too.

 

CIRCULATION STATEMENT:  This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 88 members, 17 Friends of Blackhawk, 26 Associate Members.  Total = 131.  Our Newsletter goes USPO, First Class, for most benefit to all.