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BlackHawk Woodcarver Blackhawk Woodcarvers at Kenrock Community Center 3218 11th Street, Rockford, IL Vol. No. XVI Issue No. 3, March, 2008 |
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Blackhawk
Woodcarvers Club Meetings Meet to carve
Wednesday morning 8:30-11:00 am |
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Let me begin by saying how honored I am to have the opportunity to serve as President of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers. I consider this to be a privilege, and with everyone’s help, I know it will be a successful year. "Thank You" to Don Stansfield for accepting Vice President; to Gary Lundquist for being Secretary; and to John Wacker for continuing as the Treasurer.
I also want to say, "THANK YOU," to Elaine for the great job she did as President, and to Roger for being the Secretary and taking care of the newsletter. Both Elaine and Roger held their respective positions for a number of years, and I know all of us want to express our gratitude. Let me also say "Thank you," Tod Wisner for accepting the job of publishing the Newsletter; and to Dona Wisner for taking the new position of Membership Chairman.
I believe that volunteering is what makes or breaks any organization, and that applies to our carving club so we will be looking for many volunteers this year. We will need a Chairperson, or ChairpersonS, for the Show, and someone for publicity. We are fortunate to have Roger Benedict and Rich Andersen taking care of programs for the year. We would like to have speakers two or three meetings per quarter, and one meeting where someone from the club has a hands-on carving project.
We have a number of carving projects planned for this year that everyone will be able to do on his or her own. As most of you know, we have been asked to carve a quilt for the Center For Sight & Hearing Impaired similar to the one we have at Klehm Arboretum. Jim Griparis and Larry Christenson are heading up this project. We would like to have Club members carve small ornaments or pins for Halloween and Christmas to distribute to children’s wards at the area hospitals. We will be starting those projects soon.
At our last meeting on February 19th, I proposed that we move the business meeting from the third Tuesday in the evening, to the third Wednesday morning, attached to the regular carving session. I have talked to the people at Kenrock, and they have agreed to let us stay to 11:30 AM on Wednesdays. (Actually, I think we can stay until 11:30 every Wednesday.) It is my belief that we have more to gain than we do to lose by changing the meeting time, because there are a number of people who come to the Wednesday sessions but not to the Tuesday night.
In order to accomplish this, we (Members of the Blackhawk Wood Carving Club) must amend Article VI of the By-Laws. I will bring this subject up for a vote at the March 18th meeting. For anyone who is out of town, and has an opinion on the subject, please email me, or call me at (815) 963-1326. Or, you can call any of the other officers or members.
Thank you for allowing me to be your President.
Bob Hallstrom
CLUB NEWS WRAP-UP
¬ Snow storms last week of January and first week of February absolutely decimated attendance at our Wednesday morning carving sessions. As a matter of fact, the ONLY person to show up on February 6 was Rich Andersen, and the reason he came at all was to invite Club members to the 50th wedding anniversary party for him and his wife Karin at the Riverside Church in Loves Park the following Saturday evening. (You should have been there! It was a joyous occasion, and the food was terrific.)
¬ Please excuse the handwritten scribbles in the last Newsletter. They were to cover last-minute details that came in after the letter was at the printers’.
¬ Four Blackhawk Woodcarvers - Went down to Bettendorf, Iowa, the last week-end of February for the Harley Refsal Scandinavian flat-plane caricature class. Larry Christensen, John Wacker, and Judy Suit went for the first session Wednesday thru Friday, and Roseley Wesley was in the second class, Friday thru Sunday. Tony Valdez was scheduled to go with them, but guests from Japan changed plans -ironically, at the very last minute, the guests had to cancel their trip.
¬ Gordy Moscinski’s flute carving class has ten members. They are meeting during the regular Wednesday morning Club carving session, but in another corner of the room. The class was originally scheduled to meet for only two seasons, but it looks like it will run at least another week.
Sometimes there were so many chips flying around that it looked like a bunch of beavers at work! Gordy hovers over his students advising and teaching ... super teacher. He not only has all the supplies for the flute project, he has some finished flutes to show as examples. And to show that these flutes really make music.
¬ Community Service - besides Roger Benedict’s CLR relief carving class, there was nothing else to report this month.
¬ From Don Stansfield comes this honing tip for a gouge you simply cannot get honed to your liking. First, get a nice piece of straight-grain softwood. (basswood or aspen is OK) Next, use the said gouge to cut a single channel in the wood, parallel to the grain, and a little deeper than the sides of the gouge. Also, remember that this is a lapping surface that you’re making, so it should fit the outside of the gouge quite closely and be long enough to allow a fair stroke with the tool. Finely, rub honing compound into the groove, coat the surfaces evenly. As you draw the gouge backward through the powdered groove. Keep the gouge bevel flat in the bottom of the groove so the gouge cutting edge does not get rounded over. Remember that you want to work on the whole surface behind the cutting edge - all the way to the heel of the tool.
Many carvers use aluminum oxide powder for lapping. but Don is suggesting Lee Valey diamond honing compounds for this particular application. (Leevalley.com or 800-871-8158) They come in 6, 3, and 1-micron. A set of all three pastes (Order #70M14.10) is $32.50, or you can buy them individually for $11.90 each.
To finish any burrs on the INSIDE surface of your gouge, simply use a wooden dowel wrapped in leather to match the inner diameter of your gouge. No leather? Not to worry, you can (if you’re delicate) use some 1200-drit wet-n-dry carbide paper wrapped around a dowel, to fit the inside curvature of your gouge..
SICK BAY REPORT
¬ Tom Backer is going back to University in Madison on March 13 for more work on his pacemaker. Depending on what the initial investigation reveals, it may mean some adjustments of the present system or perhaps placement of the present device with a new one.
¬ Tony DeVita’s wife Mary Lou had arthroscopic surgery on her knee. The anesthetic experience was pretty rough, but she’s seems to be coming along OK from the surgery.
¬ Bob Hallstrom is apparently coming along just fine from his triple=by-bass heart surgery last October. Now, it’s only a matter of time and some re-hab. And being delicately cautious with activity.
¬ Tod Wisner, had surgery to rebuild the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Everything seems to be just fine. Only another 12 months of re-hab, and the joint might be as good as new.
NEW MEMBERS
Especially warm welcome to our new friends who have joined the Blackhawk Woodcarvers since the last recognition.
¬ Linda Mensching - Just joined the Blackhawk Woodcarvers the last week in February. Linda was in Gordy’s CLR Introduction to Woodcarving class last fall. She lives in Genoa, Illinois, and drives up for Wednesday morning carving. At present, Linda’s busy as a member of the flute-carvers class.
SHOW & TELL
Click on the picture to make it larger
¬ Rich Anderson
brought in a 21" scale model of a road grader. This is the second in the
series of scale model construction machines he has been commissioned to build.
What is amazing about Rich’s models are all the
moving parts he builds into them. This road grader motions include wheels, the
grading blade itself, the whole front end swivels, and the steering mechanism
which faithfully replicates the automotive-style of wheel motion.
Click on the picture to make it larger
¬ Bernie Budzinski showed this cougar stalking its prey down a mountainside. It’s of basswood, with a very light cherry stain and finished with a Deft spray. The engraved plate on the base reads, "To Nicholas from Grandpa Bernie - 2008." What a truly wonderful gift!
Click on the picture to make it larger
¬ Gordy Moscinski showed five flat-plane carve figures. These were in the Harley Refsal style of Scandinavian carving: a seated old lady; another old lady with her coffee, a standing old lady with babushka (head scarf), and a couple of old men.
¬ Bob Hallstrom showed two Santas: one holding a candle, and the other one pulling a sled with a pine tree on it.
¬ Tom Backer showed a whimsical 3-story house carved from cottonwood bark, and a chip-carved sign which reads "Choose Joy!"
BUSINESS MEETING
February 19, 2008
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President Bob Hallstrom. Following members were called out for special recognition and "Thank you" for special services to the Club:
¬ Roger Benedict for being Newsletter Editor for so many years;
¬ John Wacker for services as Treasurer;
¬ Don Stansfield for his recent article in Chip Chats.
No new members were present.
Secretary’s Report and Treasurer’s Report were read and approved as read.
¬ OLD BUSINESS ¬
¬ Jim Griparis and Larry Christensen reported on the quilt project for the Center For Sight & Hearing. They were scheduled in for another fact-finding meeting on Wednesday, the day after our Club business meeting. Rich Andersen volunteered to help as the third member of the Quilt Committee.
¬ Gordy Moscinski reminded everyone of the Indian Love Flute carving class he would conduct on Wednesday mornings, February 20 and 27. A nominal fee is being charged to cover costs of materials. These are real, authentic, working Native American Indian flutes. Should be interesting to see the results. Especially since NO TWO NATIVE FLUTES ARE EVER ALIKE. This holds true even for flutes from the same maker. No problem, because these instruments are used as solo instruments, and not intended for group music.
¬ Don Stansfield reported he has engaged Denny Neubauer (the carving tool maker) and Greg Wirtz ( a well-known carver) to serve as Judges for our Carving Show Competition August 16.
¬ Marshall Field reported there were no new additions to our Club library. Bob Hallstrom said he has some books and videos he will donate. And Gordy Moscinski announced that there will be a complete listing of all library contents included with the next Newsletter. (That’s this Newsletter, and the list is attached.)
¬ Don Stansfield reminded the members that we need suggestions for guest speakers for our meetings. A lively discussion followed, after which it was generally agreed that the program did not necessarily have to be about wood carving, but it did have to be interesting.
¬ Dues News -
Remember that annual membership is now $20. (And worth probably twice that.) If
you have not paid, THIS WILL BE YOUR VERY LAST NEWSLETTER.
¬ NEW BUSINESS ¬
¬ Bob Hallstrom broached the subject of changing the business meeting from the third Tuesday evening to the third Wednesday morning. See his comments in the President’s Letter, above.
¬ Marshall Field, who keeps attendance at ALL Club functions, said the Tuesday evening sessions are not at all well attended. He wonders if it is really worth while for the Club to even have Tuesday evenings on our schedule at all.
¬ In honor of the 150th
Anniversary of the invention of the
Eraser-Topped-Lead-Pencil, Don Stansfield presented each member present at the
meeting with a brand new "Big Red Pencil", and challenge all to carve their
pencil into some design or character. The only rule is that the pencil must have
the eraser and the point still intact. In other words, do with it whatever you
want, but it must stay all connected.
¬ PROGRAM NOTES ¬
¬ Orville Roan, a highly-skilled Intarsia Artist, was introduced by Lou Suit for our program. Mr. Roan showed several pieces he has done. These included the 33" fish shown here, as well as a life-sized wolf’s head, a "half-size" lion’s head, and another fish. Mr. Roan works mostly in black walnut and maple.
CLUB CALENDAR
Meeting Schedule -
¬
April 15 - Tony DeVita will show and demonstrate the dust-collecting system he built.¬
May 20 -¬
June 17 -¬
July 15 - committees report on final preparations for Annual Carving Show¬
August 16 - SHOW TIME !¬
August 19 - Show re-cap¬
September 16 -¬
October 21 -¬
November 18 - Select Carver of the Year - Nomination of officers¬
December 16 - Election of Officers - Christmas Party & SwapOur Carving Show -
August 16
, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PMSETUP Friday afternoon
Chair & Committee - recruited in February
Rules & applications - published in May
Special Show events - TBA
Food Concessionaire, etc. - TBA
CARVING CLASSES
*April 12-13, Bettendorf, IA
, Gen Grayling teaches a class in pyrography. Lessons will be graded to individual skill level. 9:00 to 5:00, $100. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa, 52722, 800-397-2278.*April 26-27, Bettendorf, Iowa. 9:00 to 5:00, The Southwest comes to Bettendorf! Sara and Larry Cornwell will teach students to cut, carve, and decorate gourds with Southwest themes using Dremel or Fordham type tools as well as woodburning. All supplies (and some tools) will be furnished. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722, 800-397-2278.
*April 12 & 13, Des Moines, Iowa, Mike Shipley, $120 plus blanks
*May 16, 17, 18, Bettendorf, IA.
Kirk Davis teaches Realistic Animal Carving, power and hand tool carving, with pyrography- a black bear and cubs, “burn the fur ‘til it flames” $250 plus blanks. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722, 800-397-2278.CARVING SHOWS
¬ These are listings of events for the next few months and close to home.
¬ March 16, Greenfield (Milwaukee) WI. Badger State Carvers host annual show and sale at Mount Carmel Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, 5700 West Layton Ave; 11:00 to 4:00. Free admission and parking. Contact Richard Wawrzyniak 414-476-8754.
¬ March 29-30, Plover, WI. Eighth annual competition sponsored by Wisconsin River Woodcarvers, 434 5th Ave, Stevens Point, WI, 54481.
¬ April 5-6, Portage, Indiana, Duneland Woodcarvers’ Show & Sale - 2100 Willowcreek Road, Woodland Park, Indiana. Sat. 10am - 5pm & Sun. 10am - 4pm. $4 aadm, children under12 free. Contact David Kings, 219-988-5610. www.dunelandwoodcarvers.com.
¬ April 12-13, Wheaton, IL "Artistry In Wood" at Cantigny Park 15151 Woodfield Rd. Sponsored by North Suburban Woodcarvers Club ($20 per year). Admission to park is $8.00 per vehicle. Jogn Hackamore West Benton Ave, Naperville, IL, 60540, 630-355-6589.
¬ April 12-13, Waterloo, Iowa, Iowa State Woodcarvers Show & Competition. Northeast Iowa Woodcarving Club. Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial Stret. Sat. 1pm - 5pm, Sunday. 11am - 4:30 pm. Free admission. Mary Lou Snyder
¬ April 27 - Appleton, WI, Mid-Wisconsin Chippers host annual show, competition, and sale, am to bpm at (new location) Monarch Gardens, 2311 Spencer. Jayne Neuenfeldt, W10831 Everts Lane, New London, WI, 54961, 920-982-5582
¬ May 17-18, Bloomington, IL. Corn Belt
Carving Club’s "Sculptures In Wood" woodcarving show & sale. Challenger Learning
Center, 2901 East Empire Street. Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. Noon - 5pm. Adm. $2,
children under 12 free. Mike Hartzler, 309-662-4276,
www.cornbeltcarving.org.
WANT ADS
¬ This is a monthly listing of things carvers and/or suppliers want-to-sell or want-to-buy. As a public service and a way to get some publicity, this will be open to members and non-members alike. No charge. As a special added attraction, we will even include any Vendors’ special deals that we hear about. - - The only rule is that the item MUST be related to carving.
