Read about how traffic woes reminded me to not rush when carving.
Howdy !
Last Sunday, my daughter and I found ourselves stuck in traffic—twice—thanks to a couple of accidents that brought everything to a standstill. While I can’t say what caused each crash, I’d bet being in a hurry played a part. Maybe someone was running late or just eager to get where they were going. It got me thinking: rushing hardly ever ends
well, whether you’re on the road or carving your latest project.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finishing a project. Maybe you’re eager to see the final result, or maybe a deadline is looming. I know I’ve been there—everything’s going smoothly until I try to rush through the last couple of elements. That’s when things go awry: a cut goes too deep, you lose focus, or you get some dreaded chip-out. Like Charlie Brown says…
AAUGH!!!
Stay Calm and Carve On
When you feel the urge to speed up, take a moment to pause. A few deep breaths and a slower pace can make all the difference. You don’t want a split-second slip-up to undo hours of careful work, but if something does happen, it’s not the end of the world. You may be able to correct it or get creative and find a way to incorporate it into the pattern. If all else fails – it’s still not a mistake -
it’s character. 😉
A Couple of Tips to Avoid Mistakes When You’re Eager to Finish
Set your project down and stretch for a minute before tackling the last details.
As I wrote in last week’s newsletter, keeping your knife sharp is always a good idea, so taking a break to strop your knife allows you time to relax and re-focus…and finish with a scary sharp knife!
I'd
like to hear what you do to keep from rushing at the end of a project!
Joel didn't rush carving his knife box...and it paid off!
Troy, You asked for pics, so here is one I just finished. It is not “great” but an accomplishment anyway. I started chip carving way back around 1987. Did a lot for several years and then, as life can be, got sidetracked with occupation and family . Around the time you took over the baton, I purchased the MCC kit with new set of knives and this knife box…Finally got it carved!!! Around that time I had high hopes of really getting going again on carving. I did the lid to a jewelry box that I built. Actually you featured it on what was your 1st newsletter (I think???). Well after that we purchased land and between building and work, my carving got set aside
again. But I finally retired in October 24 and now have my shop/studio nearly completed, so when I’m not working on landscaping i hope to “play” in the shop and get rolling on carving!! I recently re-subscribed to My Chip carving and worked through many of the lessons that Marty had on there and finally decided to carve the box. I sealed it and then did a gel stain followed up with spray satin lacquer. Anyway,
probably more than you want to know, but it is a start again!!
Blessings,
Joel
Joel - Great to hear from you! Thanks for sharing your latest project. I'd say it came out great. The lines are straight and very uniform in width, and the intersections are clean and crisp. Wrapping the lines around the edges is also challenging and the center rosette is symmetrical. I always enjoy when things are uniform and
symmetrical and find it very rewarding when that goal is achieved.
Congratulations on your retirement! It sounds like it is off to a great start.
Inspired to Carve a Knife Box?
Double Knife Box, Basswood
Protect your knives with this Double Knife Box. Clear basswood can be carved as shown in the pictures using the pattern provided in the Pattern section. Knife box has Snap-to-close hinges to keep the lid securely closed. Knives sold separately.
. Around the time you took over the baton, I purchased the MCC kit with new set of knives and this knife box…Finally got it carved!!! Around that time I had high hopes of really getting going again on carving. I did the lid to a jewelry box that I built. Actually you featured it on what was your 1st newsletter (I think???). Well after that we purchased land and between building and work, my carving got set aside
again
. But I finally retired in October 24 and now have my shop/studio nearly completed, so when I’m not working on landscaping i hope to “play” in the shop and get rolling on carving!! I recently re-subscribed to My Chip carving and worked through many of the lessons that Marty had on there and finally decided to carve the box. I sealed it and then did a gel stain followed up with spray satin lacquer. Anyway,
probably more than you want to know, but it is a start again!!
The lines are straight and very uniform in width, and the intersections are clean and crisp. Wrapping the lines around the edges is also challenging and the center rosette is symmetrical. I always enjoy when things are uniform and
symmetrical and find it very rewarding when that goal is achieved.
