Why bother to carve anything?

[DiLeon]

I love how engaged woodworkers and carvers are on this forum. I would like to get some feedback on whether I should look at buying some plans to get me started. I found this guy on the internet and the cost isn't too bad, so I was hoping you all could help me...

Yes? No? Thank you in advance!

This is not wood carving....it is wood craftsmen's work.... a major difference between the two kinds. This forum is for wood carving. If you want to make chairs go to various forums for that kind of work.

[woodburner807]

Seems to be SPAM?

[DiLeon]

Seems to be SPAM?

I agree, other post are about woodcraft plans....do not even know it is about carving.

[vtx rudy]

In these days full time negativity, it's what makes me happy.

[Hooked on Carving]

Since I was 4 years old, my father would take me across the street to his friend Inky. Inky was a master self taught carpenter who was always doing fantastic stuff! He had another house in upstate NY and when he sold it off he would refurbish a sled into a garden planter and also a wagon. My father always watched him and brought me when he had to watch me. So by osmosis from watching Inky I was able to make things when I got married and bought a house. I built a big shed, my sons big boy bed shaped as a treasure chest and other things when needed. My father only taught me basic things like how to use a screw driver to put in a screw and to hammer a nail, he wasn't very handy. In 1997 I worked in Manhattan during this time and on my lunch hour, I wood look at Wood Carving Illustrated, but wouldn't buy an issue until 2000 because I thought they were trying to get you to buy the books. Wood was expensive and we bought the rest of the furniture unstained for my son's room because I had very little time and a wife that was in a hurry. I bought a #3 3/4" stubby gouge and a knife, glove and strop and carved a six inch Santa for the first project which I put in my sisters stocking. For my 40th birthday my brother gave me money for a gouge set which got me started in relief carving. I have been commissioned for things from friends and have been hooked since.

[JerseyGirl]

Little late to the party but I’ll add:
1. Fun
2. Calming (except when frustrating)
3. Learn something with each carve
4. Sparks my creativity
5. So many different carving methods to explore
6. Sense of accomplishment (when things go right)
7. Get to make cool gifts for loved ones
8. Stops the squirrels from running in my head during times of stress
9. Has triggered my strong desire to learn more to carve better
10. Window shopping for the “perfect” knife is way more rewarding than searching for the perfect pocketbook