Greetings, wood carving enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to share the highlights of our recent adventure at the Tri-Valley Carvers show in Pleasanton, CA. Our Santa Clara Valley Carvers club was back in action this year (2023), and it was a wood carving extravaganza!
First and foremost, a big shoutout to the awesome folks at the Tri-Valley Carvers club for making this show happen. Without their dedication, none of this woodsy magic would’ve come to life.
Our club set up an impressive table that featured a treasure trove of wood carvings in various stages of creation. Picture this: a stand with five candles, each showcasing different phases of becoming a Santa-faced masterpiece. It was like a mini wood carving time-lapse!
Our club president, Alan Huntzinger, took the stage with his remarkable wood carvings crafted from found and reclaimed wood. His wonderful wife, Carol, joined in the festivities, engaging with show visitors and sharing insights into the captivating world of wood carving. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?
Then, there’s Jim Phipps, our whittling virtuoso, who dazzled the crowd with his intricate ball-in-a-cage sticks and a splendid collection of whittling knives. But Jim didn’t just show off his skills; he also had some words of wisdom for the visitors. He’s all about carving silly and whimsical projects and reminded everyone that wood carving is all about having fun.
Over at Joanne Carroll’s table, it was a sight to behold. She showcased an array of pyrography (that’s burning stuff onto wood) projects and intricate carvings. Her years of experience and steady hand translated into awe-inspiring precision, transforming her projects into masterpieces. Seriously, her pieces were on fire!
See Joanne’s pyrography and woodcarving galleries.
Jordan Makower was all about the sea and showcased his talent with scrimshaws on delicate sea shells. He ingeniously used his phone to magnify those tiny scrimshaw items, allowing visitors to admire the intricate lines of engraved sea creatures. It was like peering into a miniature ocean world!
Rena Gooding, on the other hand, had her table brimming with beautiful wood carvings. From intricately decorated spoons to relief carvings, playful children, and carved animals, her creations were a testament to her remarkable skills.
Fun fact: Rena’s recent lizard carving snagged a major award at the show competition. Impressive, right?
Roman Chernikov, with his cute miniature whittling carvings, caught the attention of the showgoers. He not only displayed his expertise but also took some eager show participants under his wing, teaching them the art of chip carving on his practice boards. And guess what? He delved into the difference between whittling and wood carving and gave the lowdown on Tramp Art. Fascinating stuff! See Roman’s gallery or visit his website READ N TRY.
Ron Richards, our seasoned caricature carver, wowed the crowd with multiple carved faces, both realistic and hilariously exaggerated. He even spilled the beans on knife sharpening techniques that left everyone in awe. Sharp knives are indeed happy knives!
But the surprises didn’t end there! Allan Aldridge demonstrated how to use a carving bench that he built himself. He also carved adorable mice from basswood eggs and handed them out to kids. However, there were two conditions: the kids had to name their mice and promise to feed them once a week. How’s that for spreading the joy of wood carving?
That’s a wrap, folks! Our Santa Clara Valley Carvers club had a blast at the Tri-Valley Carvers show, and we can’t wait to continue our wood carving journey with all of you. Stay tuned for more woodsy adventures, and remember, wood carving is an art that brings joy to young and old alike!
Catch you on the carving side!
P. S. The featured picture of the post, the vine with grapes, was carved by Charles Noack.
