Let's take a look at how some carvers approached solving physical challenges when carving.
Howdy !
I think it's safe to say that we all have experienced challenges when carving at one time or another. Sometimes it's with technique, other times it may be equipment, or it may be physical. The My Chip Carving courses are designed to help address challenges with technique, and several items are available in the store to help with equipment challenges. However, physical challenges tend to be more individualized.
I’ve read emails mentioning physical challenges such as arthritis, surgeries, and illnesses that have all made carving difficult. The good news is that bodies can heal, and where
there’s a will, there’s a way. A while back I asked a fellow carver, Darlene, for tips on how she has helped or seen fellow carvers deal with their physical challenges, primarily arthritis. Here are a few of the tips:
One carver, in particular, wrapped a piece of thin foam around her knife handle to accommodate the fact that she was not able to close her hand enough to grasp the handle. Works great for her.
My hand knuckles are a bit enlarged and stiff, so I have learned
to grasp my knife in a way that works for me.
Another carver has an arthritic shoulder and has found that carving in his lap works very well. He took a garage sale cutting board and spray glued a piece of rubber toolbox liner to both the top and the underside, Two purposes....the wood does not slide around while carving and it does not slide off of his lap.
One of our excellent chip carvers had a stroke that affected his right side. We built him a table
board with holes and pegs to hold his wood piece. It worked well, but he had to learn to use his left hand.... he was right-handed. Interesting note though, he said it made his eyes hurt. I tried it and he was right. My eyes had to look in another direction and it did cause eye aches after carving with the opposite hand for a while. Unfortunately, he no longer carves. Never could master left-handed carving. But, the board worked.
Darlene’s final tip - is to
never give up carving but ask other carvers with a similar problem, what they do. It's all part of sharing!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience Darlene! Those are all excellent tips!
Do you have any tips on solutions you've used to overcome a challenge? I'd love to hear about them! And I'm sure others would, too!
You can even order the plate with the pattern applied!
On the Outside Beaded Rim Plate page, select 10 inch for the Size, and then use the Pattern pulldown to select 6 Point Rosette with Arches Border
Do you have time...for another gift email?
Hi Troy!
My favorite wedding gift to make is a Mantel
Clock. I first saw the pattern and idea in Woodcarving Illustrated Spring 2008 issue by Wayne Barton. It has the couples name on it,
and I feel it will be an heirloom to pass down in the family. I have also made it for a 50th wedding anniversary gift. I have also made a smaller ladies clock for graduation gifts with flowers on it. That pattern is by Wayne Barton, and in his book "New & Traditional Styles of Chip Carving". I use butternut wood, and the grain is always beautiful!! I enjoy carving the clocks, and they have always been appreciated. I feel they are made with
love!
Looking forward to your other replies and ideas!!
adrian
Thank you for sharing Adrian! Your Mantel clocks are wonderful!👍No doubt they are made with love, and cherished by the recipients.
Limited Number of Woodcarving Illustrated Issues
Free with order!
Your order must include items that will be shipped.
Select the issue you'd like and add it to your cart.
This is the vertical view of the same. Interestingly, the most difficult step in this project was transferring the design (slightly adapted from a W. Barton design). I did first the complex rosette, because it was the most straight-forward, and then carved it. I moved then to drawing the ellipse and the leaves (one by
one). Carving itself was not that difficult.
Andrei
Thank you for sharing your plate in the Forum Andrei! It is very well done! I also love the warmth and richness of the finish you used.
Platinum membership gives you access to ALL of the Courses, Patterns, and Video archives!
Click below to Sign Up!
What are your latest projects?I'd love to see them! Send them to me at:troy@mychipcarving.com
Have a great week, !
Mia's look when I'm taking too long getting ready.
