Phil Bonham looks forward to what onlookers have to say during his live carving segment.

Sawdust, earthy smells... this Beach Haven sculptor in wood couldn't ask for more. Sharu Delilkan captures his passion.

Showing work in the Live Wood Carving segment of the Sculpture Festival 2010 is an opportunity Phil Bonham was never going to pass up.

"It's not often that you get the chance to work with chainsaws and large logs without any space or noise constraints. Ideas have been going through my head at random times about what I'm going to do, even in my dreams," says the Beach Haven wood sculptor.

Not knowing what to expect when he starts work is what Bonham thoroughly enjoys.

"You can plan as much as you like but until you make that first cut, you have no idea what direction the piece is going to take. It's critical to respond to the life force in the log."....

Read more at  -  http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/have-your-say/news/woodn-you-love-it-too/3912168/

Laura Hockton of Niagara Falls works on her latest piece at the Niagara Woodcarvers Association s annual show & competition over the weekend. Photo: John Law, The Review

by John Law

The bloody hand and seven stitches didn't stop Laura Hockton. This was still her one relaxing night of the week.

It was 1997 and she was carving a canine. A few birds and horses were also going under the knife at the Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre, where the Niagara Woodcarvers Association met every Tuesday night. While digging into her dog, the knife slipped and cleanly sliced a gash into her left hand, sending her to the hospital. She wasn't discouraged. All woodcarvers have their battle scars.

"I looked at it like a badge of honour," says the Niagara Falls mom, manning her table at the association's 31st annual show and competition held over the weekend.....

Read more at  -  http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2511914

THE FUNNY BUNNY: Master Wood carver, Charles Melnick, completes a rendition of the comical white rabbit from “Alice In Wonderland.”

by Herald Staff

Super promoter Norman Schaut sold Atlantique City, the world’s largest Arts, Antiques and Collectibles Show, seven years ago when it was at the height of its popularity. To keep active and give back to his beloved Ocean City, Norman and his wife, JoAnne, decided to produce a series of seasonal craft festivals with all of the profits donated to local charities.

The Schaut’s have established a new tradition in this family resort. They have made it a center for quality craft shows on the East Coast.

On March 27-28, the Spring Festival of Quality Crafts, at the City’s Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, will be presenting the best of the best. The Schauts recruit the finest artisans available.

An example is master wood carver, Charles Melnick, of Union, who will exhibit, sell and demonstrate his skill. Melnick has completed carvings of the white rabbit and other characters from Alice in Wonderland.....

Read more at  -  http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/60137-craft+festival+ocean+city+tradition

Hand carved wood is often used for decorative purposes and includes statues, figurines and murals of varying designs. Making beautiful figurines and designs out of wood is a hobby that has been around for many years.

Hand carved wood is unique and beautiful to look at. Whether it is a wooden statue or an intricate doorway; the details and designs of wood carvings offer a unique and vivid impression. Time and patience has gone into the carvings, and it is often easy to see the love that has been instilled in the projects. Over the years, working with wood has led to many new hobbies and pursuits for people who are finding satisfaction in putting their hands to good use.

Wood carving tools are important in order to make beautiful and intricate carvings. Depending on the design and the intricacies of the details, different wood carving tools may be required for a number of different projects. For broad and generalised work, a single carving knife may do the job, but for smaller detailed work, chisels and bents may be more appropriate. Wood carving tools can be used to design intricately detailed doors and murals, making vases and bowls, making toys for children and furniture as well as designing unique portrait frames and murals.

Learning which tools work better for various jobs is something that comes with a little bit of time and effort, but will not take long to learn. With the right tools and the right wood - wood carving is a hobby to be enjoyed despite the age.

Brighten the gray winter days with an art class or workshop. Sequoia Gallery,at 136 S.E. Third Ave, has new classes beginning soon. 

Learn the art and craft of woodcarving with Janet Clemens on four Tuesdays in February, noon to 3 p.m. Tuition is $60. You will learn to carve wood from a blank or rough into a finished work of art.

Or get started in the versatile medium of pastels. Sequoia studio artist Christy Perrine will teach "Introduction to Pastels" for five Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Feb. 4. Tuition is $100. You will discover the immediacy of drawing but with the rich, painterly experience of color. 

A two-day class, "Art Journals and Creative Healing," will be taught by Susan Kent from 1 to 5 p.m.  Feb. 6 and 7. Find tranquility through paint, calligraphy, and collage in your personal art journal. Tuition is $60 and covers the cost of materials. 

These and other classes are listed on the Web site:www.sequoiagallerystudios.org. Or stop by the gallery between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday to pick up a printed schedule. Students should pre-register. Phone 503-693-0401 for more information. 

SOURCE  _  http://blog.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/2010/01/put_color_in_the_day_with_art.html

by Holly Meyer

The carving tool in William Bellucci's hands touched the spinning chunk of South Dakota walnut, sending spiral shavings flying around his work space. As the pile of wooden ribbons grew with each rotation, he slowly worked the piece into a round hollow shape during the first stage of the turning process.

The roughly carved vessel secured on his lathe has at least a year to wait before it is transformed into one of the polished golden brown works of art that Bellucci and his business partner, Rachel Scheffel, create seven days a week.

The good friends are wood turners. They take a segment of tree trunk and transform it into all shapes of vessels - including bowls, urns and platters - as owners of Woods of Wisdom in Rapid City.....

Read more at -  http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/business/article_beb95976-06df-11df-8e27-001cc4c002e0.html

Parkersburg, WV - December 28, 2009 -- Woodcraft Supply, LLC, and PFEIL Swiss-made carving tools, are offering woodcarvers opportunities to win prizes in a woodcarving artistry contest and a random drawing contest that run now through February 28, 2010. The Woodcarving Artistry Contest winner will receive a trip to Brienz, Switzerland, to work with a PFEIL master carver. The random drawing contest entrants are eligible to win PFEIL carving sets and Woodcraft gift cards. Information about both contests and entry forms are available at Woodcraft stores in the United States and through the company’s online shop, www.woodcraft.com/swiss. No purchases are necessary to enter either contest.

The Woodcarving Artistry Contest is open to woodcarvers who wish to submit photos of their original works through the mail or by the Internet. Judging will be based on creativity, originality and craftsmanship. The grand prize winner will receive a 4-day/3-night trip for two to Brienz, Switzerland, and private carving training with master carver Paul Fuchs at the Kantonale Schnitzlerschule Brienz woodcarving school. A second prize winner in this contest will receive a PFEIL Swiss Made Brienz Collection Boxed Carving Set.

In the random drawing contest, which can be entered at stores, online or through the mail, entrants are eligible to win one of two carving sets and gift cards from Woodcraft.

“We are excited about this special opportunity to give a dedicated woodcarver a trip to Switzerland to study with a master woodcrafter,” said Jeff Forbes, president of Woodcraft Supply LLC. “For more than 80 years, our company mission is not just to sell woodworking tools, but to offer educational workshops, community service projects and events that encourage people to discover the excitement of woodworking.”

Woodcraft Supply, LLC is one of the nation’s oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies. Woodcraft stores are located in more than 70 major metropolitan areas in the United States. The Woodcraft catalog features more than 8.000 items and is distributed to customers in all 50 states and 117 foreign countries.

For additional information or to find a Woodcraft store near you, visit www.woodcraft.com/swiss.

This Allison Ford necklace is made of walnut. Ford has a studio in Harrison Center for the Arts on Delaware Street. - Frank Espich / The Star

by Julie Cope Saetre

As a girl, Allison Ford loved to get together with pals and craft friendship bracelets, earrings and other beaded treasures. But during her college years, the hobby drifted away.

The urge to create, however, did not.

Although Ford, 31, had worked in a series of "funny jobs" among the 8-to-5 office crowd -- the last in the field of international importing -- she longed for a more hands-on career."My dream in life was to just make stuff and have people want to buy it," she recalls. "It didn't matter what it was, just as long as I could work with my hands and make a living out of doing that."......

Read more at -  http://www.indystar.com/article/20091220/LIVING19/912200314/Wood-jewelry-has-a-forest-of-options

A star-shaped Santa ornament carved by George Milton Hasker hangs on the tree at Hasker's Temple home.Photo by Ryan McFadden

by Bruce R. Posten

Temple, PA - The Christmas tree in George Milton Hasker's Temple home is loaded with chunks of wood.
Mostly, they are pieces of pine and basswood, but even mahogany, walnut and oak.

All are transformed into wooden holiday ornaments: Santa Claus faces, gingerbread men, stars, trees, bells, candles, drums, geese, almost any classical image or icon associated with Christmas. He used to sell some of his creations, but doesn't do that much anymore.

He donates the ornaments he makes these days to friends, family and area wood-carving clubs or other community organizations.

For more than 66 years, ever since he was a Boy Scout at the age of 14, a block of wood always turned out to be something else in the hands of the 81-year-old Hasker.....

Read more at - http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=178820

The Central Texas Woodcarvers Association invites anyone to join.  It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an expert or a want-to-be carver. They have a great time sharing tips and great conversation. The group also meets for informal carving sessions to work on projects in a relaxed social setting with experts in the club to supply advice.  Just show up with your tools and project.

SOURCE -  http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=10&recordid=1680&returnurl=index.asp%3Fpage%3D10

For more information on meeting location, dates, and times please go to the web site at www.centraltexaswoodcarversassociation.com or call Clarence Born at 512-255-4373.