Blackhawk Carving ClubThe Blackhawk Woodcarver
Volume XXVII, Issue 3
Presidents Report March
2022
Thank you to Tony Devita (brother
Anthony), Bob Hallstrom (Chip carving a coaster) and Gordy Moscinski (Hedge
Hog) for there projects. The projects have been fun and easy to do. If
anybody has a fun little project or a simple pattern to do and you feel
uncomfortable let us know and we will help you out. I am going to step out
of my comfort zone and do a painting demonstration on Wednesday March 9th
with watercolors. Keep carving and see you next meeting, Denny.
This is an email I received from the guy wanting to sell cotton wood bark.
He will be at my house on April 2 around 5pm. 1846 2nd Ave,
Rockford
I will only be at any location for a short time, likely not more than 1 &
1/2 hours then I hit the road again. We will accept checks, credit cards and
cash.
The bark will fall into three categories, and you will understand more on
that shortly. There is the bark that can go to 3.5 inches thick but keep in
mind those pieces are few and far between. This bark will run $7. a pound.
The next category is the regular stuff, and the bulk of this bark falls into
that category, perhaps 90% of the bark. This bark runs around 2 to 2.5" in
thickness. It will run $5.50 a pound.
The last category is what I call the “J " group. This bark has serious
cracking and while I know that bark carvers will sometimes glue pieces to
stabilize the bark, I think these checks are too large to glue. I have
attached pics to show examples. This bark is $3 a pound and that bark shows
a J on the back with the depth and weight. I would rather sell this bark by
the box and will discount more if a box is taken. Most boxes run around 16
to 20 pounds for the J bark.
All bark will have the thickness and weight written on the back in black.
Please bring bags or boxes to carry
the purchases. My extra space is extremely limited and when you see the
truck you will understand more. I am bringing as much bark as I possibly
can. Special orders cannot be taken for this trip.
This bark comes North Dakota and from a first-time collector for me. I
definitely have seen better, and the future will guarantee better quality.
I've already got two experienced collectors gathering for me and the pics
show good stuff up to 4.5 depths. The problem with that is it will not be
available to purchase till next summer, if then,
I do have a few bark panels, several over 4 four in length. Pics of those
are also attached.
I hope that handles most of the concerns and questions that will arise.
Please get in touch if more is needed Thanks. Jim
Summited by Denny Neubauer
Secretary
Report February 2022
Minutes of the regular monthly
business meeting of Blackhawk Woodcarvers; held on, February 16, 2021 at Ken
Rock Community Center, 625 Adams Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107.
President Denny Neubauer opened the
meeting at 9:25 am.
Secretary, Steve Terrill read the
minutes of the January meeting. There were no additions
or corrections.
Treasurer: Larry Stenzel reported
that we continue to be solvent.
New Business: Gordy brought up a
concern that we continue to pay for a post office box at the monthly cost of
$135, and that we cannot afford that at this time, plus we no longer have a
need for it. He made a motion that we quit the post
office box. The motion was seconded by Bunny.
Don Stansfield noted that it does give us a permanent address.
There was discussion of pros and cons of spending that money.
Denny notes that we are not broke, Tyrone points out that the price
keeps going up. He does recommend that we quit publishing
the address. Gary Johnson checks it regularly.
We do continue to publish the officer’s phone numbers in the
newsletter. We continue to pay the $135 a month so that 2
members can send in their dues. Denny called for the
vote. There were 11 against and 1 for paying for the post
office box. We will not renew the post office box and
will advertise that in the newsletter until we stop paying for the P.O. Box.
Persons can contact any of the officers.
Gordy noted that he has an avenue
for selling carvings. Let him know if interested.
Gordy will post that in the newsletter.
Bob Matthews talked about displaying
carvings in the Cherry Valley Library and will notify the membership when
that becomes available.
Denny got a call about bark for
sale. Two people expressed interest.
Denny will let that person know that there is slight interest but
maybe not worth his time.
Next week Bob Hallstrom will be
demonstrating a chip carved coaster for anyone interested.
The Janesville club is carving
peppers for a festival and Denny will get more information to see if we are
interested.
Gordy will be doing a class in two
weeks on carving a Hedgehog and Scott Grey will be doing a class on carving
Gingko Leaves at the end of next month.
Respectfully submitted; Steve
Terrill, Club Secretary.
We have started some mini carving
lessons starting in January. They will be held on Wednesdays at KenRock
during our usual Wednesday morning sessions. It is
thought that a member will bring in the materials for a
carving, woodburning, etc. and share their knowledge and help in completing
the project. The first mini lesson was on January 5 with
Gordy providing a blank for a comfort bird and Denny substituted as the
instructor. There will be a minimal charge. Hopefully
these projects will be completed in one or two morning sessions.
We need some ideas for these mini
lessons and a brave volunteer to lead sessions. All
members of this club are very talented and many are especially talented in
their given style. Please feel free to submit ideas to
Richard Dunphy and volunteer to be a presenter. It will
take everyone to make this fun, informative, and improve our craft.
Gordy Moscinski
Mini
Lesson April 6, 2022
Denny Neubauer will be demonstrating how
to do a face study
Mini
Lesson April 13, 2022
Gordy Moscinski
will have many cutouts to carve. A knife is all you need.
New
Member
I
became interested in the Blackhawk Woodcarver club due to the CLR class
being cancelled that Gordy was supposed to teach. Since I did not fill
out any form when I joined I thought I would tell a little about myself. I
am Rich Talbot and I live in Loves Park on the Rock River.
During the pandemic I needed an outlet besides the refrigerator and I
started watching YouTube videos about carving wood. I really like
watching Doug Linker and carverswoodshop. The picture shows a couple
of figures I learned from these sites. I must admit I was a little
intimidated when I was walking up to the entrance of Ken Rock and noticed
license plates that had something to do with wood carving. But I could
not have found a group of nicer people then this club. I like the mini
lessons and all the insights from the club members. Glad to be part of
this club.
Rich
Display
in Cherry Valley Library
The lasted info on the display in
Cherry Library, I checked the schedule and we have the month of May.
I would suggest that members who want to put stuff in the display bring
their items at the April Biz meeting. The display has 3 shelves with a
glass front that is locked. Height of any item should be limited to 12
inches. Items should be wrapped to avoid damage and I will put the
stuff in my car and set up the display. Do we have any members who
could develop a small sign that could be used in the display?
Bob Matthews
Door
Prizes
Don't forget the Door Prize drawing
on First Wednesdays. Bring something you don't need or want
anymore, but know someone would be thrilled to win at the drawing.
Carvers
wanted
Sometimes I get calls from people
wanting to have a carving done (for money). If you are interested in
any of these contacts, let me know and what kind of carvings you are
interested in doing for people. Don Stansfield
dchip1508@comcast.net
Want to
buy or sell
If you have anything that you would
like to buy or sell send me an email and I will put it in the newsletter.
Gordy
April
Birthdays (that we Know of)
10 Franklin Johnson
19 John Skaggs
21 Bunny Nordheim
President, Denny
Neubauer, 238-5296
Vice Pres, Richard Dunphey, 633-9003
Treasurer, Larry Stenzel, 389-4714
Secretary, Steve Terrill, 708-0471
Committees
Programs, Richard Dunphey, 633-9003
Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Gordy Moscinski 874-7978
Photographer Steve Terrill
Picnic Tony Devita
Upcoming
Shows in 2022
· The Minnesota Woodcarvers
Association of St. Cloud, MN will host “Snow Daze Carve In” on March 26 &
27, 2022 at the American Legion Post 398, 2333 Wilshire Boulevard, Mound, MN
55364. For more information contact: Ron O’Kray or Greg Wirtz.
· Carve in 6 will be held @ the
Bekkum, 206 North Main Street, Westby, WI on April 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM to
4:00 PM. April Bird will be the featured carver. For more information
contact: John Sutton (608-634-4396) or lbarnfarms@gmail.com.
· The Mid-Wisconsin Chippers will be
holding their 46th Annual Show, Competition, & Sale on Sunday May 1, 2022 at
the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 Main Street, Oshkosh, WI from 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM. For more show information contact Paul Wolters (920-727-2139) or
www.nidwisconsinchippers.weebly.com.
· The International Woodcarvers
Congress will be held from June 11 thru June 19, 2022 at the Jackson County
Fairgrounds, 1212 East Quarry Street, Maquoketa, IA. This will be their 54th
annual event, the oldest competitively judged woodcarving art show in the
USA. More information @ http://woodcarverscongress.org.
· The Creede Woodcarving Rendezvous
will be held from July 9 thru July 15, 2022 in Creede, CO. More information
@ www.creedewoodcarvers.com.
· The Rock River Valley Woodcarvers
of Wisconsin will be having their annual show on September 10, 2022. More
information when it becomes available.
· The Waupaca Area Woodcarvers will
be having their first woodcarving show on November 6, 2022 @ 407 School
Street, Waupaca, WI. More information available from Harold Mohr
(715-281-4923) or Kathy Brehm (920-740-1986).
The Wisconsin River Woodcarvers will not be having a show in 2022.
Newsletter deadline
Keep sending your pictures and
stories by the April 6, 2022 deadline.
Thyme
and Again Farm
Does anyone want to sell Fall and
Winter wood items at a pumpkin farm? They are thinking signs/fall
decorations. 815.978.3358 11515
IL-2
Need a
carving
Jeff Geoble would like someone to
carve a figure of a person 21” tall. 815.403.3949
Show and
Tell
The first one is about familiar
flora for a close friend in Sister Bay who is a naturalist. The large
one displays walnut gears I made in the early 1970's for a wooden clock that
was never finished because I misplaced the directions.
Roger Benedict
Jim Foster showed a pair of googly
eyed roosters he had carved and stamped his name and face on the bottom from
a stamp his wife got him for Christmas.
Tony Devita showed a couple of older
carvings he found in his basement of unknown wood (God only knows) one was
the head he copied from Imokellen (sp?) based on a brass
sculpture. He also did a leprechaun
Gordy Moscinski
showed bowls cut on a band saw to look like they have been turned in a
lathe. He has printed out instructions on how to do it
from Woodcarving Illustrated Summer 2020 issue. He also
showed a Brother Anthony he carved
Tyrone Johnsen
showed a meditating cat that he finished and will give to his daughter.
Ron Stephens, a
prospective new member from McHenry, showed a Buffalo, a dog and a
caricature he carved and a cane with basket weaving on the shaft and a man
and his dog on the top.
He also carved the following 4 items
on the next two pages.
