*Post Turkey Day Wrap-up

November 23, 2012

Das Hamonhaus

Our big day (yesterday) lived-up to it’s rep! The Turkey wasn’t the only one stuffed in the room. Get well. Retirement is not for the week or the sick. I’m still in the midst of trying to get these “carving-repairs” behind me so I can get back to my own stuff.  No more repairs; please!

The comments I have made to several, was apparently my own mis-under-standing regarding about being requested to teach a work-shop at next year’s Middletown Show.  I won’t be teaching anywhere for the for-see-able future; nor, clubbing, demo’ing, or judging. Carving has only very recently become my priority and shall remain as such. I may have also mentioned at the show, a commission I’ve accepted (at the show) to carve a tropical bird (sz of a Bluejay). Another, first!

The “list” just doesn’t get shorter as I had hoped that it would. I’m also “itching” to do those long-awaited bases on my router, planner and lathe, cut-out some small critters (chipmonks, cray-fish, fish & bunnies) and finish the herons.

All of this before I can pick-up-to-work-on, the nearly finished Saw-whet Owls, Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk. Oh, don’t forget my proposed Wood Duck Drake, Eagle Cane and Eagle Walking Staff (wood/blanks on hand). You can feel my frustration (and eagerness). I wouldn’t trade places with anyone.

Best wishes to all of our Carving Buddies for the rest of this Holiday Season. May all of you be equally challenged and re-gain your full measure of health and happiness.

Happy Carving, Bill & June

*The Future of Das Hamonhaus, In the Near Term

The Hamonhaus Artmeisters

I’ll be going out there (my garage/shop) shortly and turn up the base-board heater to get things cozy. I’ll putter around moving my “stuff”; since it was mostly just unloaded from our Nissan when we arrived home from Sauder Village Sunday night.  I’d like to plow right into carving on my pair of Green Herons which are both coming along nicely. However; I first need to “jump” on several bird-carving-repairs which I’ve agreed to do for perfect strangers in need. I don’t know how my name got out there (to several states) but, I certainly don’t have plans to do any more repairs (unless, I’m the carver who sold them).

We  plan to continue doing our five wood-carving shows per year; as well as our exclusive seasonal weekly “Carve-Ins” with the “Hamonhaus Carvers” . I said “with”, because, now I’m just one of the flock. If I don’t have carvers around me, everyone will wonder who I’m talking to!  The main difference  I’m really heavily counting on, is that I will  focus on my own carvings much more; and, not on my responsibilities to the students. Hopefully, this will have the desired affect of improving the out-come and quality of my own carvings!  I am no longer a member of any Carving Guild or Club; with the exception of the National Association of Woodcarvers (Chip-Chats), for the same reasons I am retiring from teaching. Distractions!  I fully expect to continue this blog inperpetuity.

I’m definitely available with-out a fee to any Hamonhaus Carver who has any current or previous carving-class project, as yet unfinished. June will be open (at previous rates) to assist or to teach the painting on these existing projects. She can not undertake teaching new projects unless the terms are increased to a reasonable amount for her time. This is how we are spelling-out our “retirement”. The Wood Duck project several of us are sneaking up on is a “Carve-In” project and has no fees; just individual material costs . Hopefully, we’ll be successful and possibly undertake future projects, as well.

I plan to attend Bob Guge’s Bird Carving Workshop for the three days prior to the Sauder Village Woodcarving Show in October of next year . I’m excited about that. This time of transition feels good to both June and me. We’re getting our Saturdays back for one thing. I’ve carved most every day for several weeks, indicating to me that my new motivation might just be “kicking” in.

There; I hope we’re all on the same page. As I always like to say and think, “we’re all in this together“!

Happy birding and carving,   Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*Carving a Wood Duck Drake Tip 3

I urge those Carvers contemplating the Wood Duck Drake Project with me to bookmark this tip. Remember the project is not a “class” per’ce because this is my first Duck ever. None of us have to pay me! More Video Tips to Follow.

Happy birding and carving,   Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*Wood Duck Drake Carving Tip 2

I urge those Carvers contemplating the Wood Duck Drake Project with me to bookmark this tip. Remember the project is not a “class” per’ce because this is my first Duck ever. None of us have to pay me! More Video Tips to Follow.

 

Happy birding and carving,   Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*Carving the Wood Duck Drake Head Texturing Tip 1

I urge those Carvers contemplating the Wood Duck Drake Project with me to bookmark this tip. Remember the project is not a “class” per’ce because this is my first Duck ever. None of us have to pay me! More Video Tips to Follow.

 

Happy birding and carving,  Bill

Bald Eagle #3

 

*The Plot Thickens on the Wood Duck Project

Wood Duck Drake

It was decided today between Sam H. and myself that I will go ahead on Monday and order four blocks of Tupelo of sufficient size to do four Wood Duck Drakes. If we have two more interested enough in the project to purchase the wood and eyes that will soon be on hand, we’ll each do a Wood Duck. If not, Sam and I will each do a Drake and a Hen Wood Duck. If a third carver buys the wood and eyes, only Sam will do the pair. Confused yet? This will not be as a class, as previously noted on this blog; it will be a “Carve-In Project” which means no fees beyond materials as required. I’m now motivated to do this Wood Duck. Who can say what I’ll think of doing next!

Happy birding and carving, Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*Wood Duck Drake Project (Not a Class!)

Wood Duck Drake

In my previous posting referring to repairing broken wood-carvings, I can mention that one of them is a Wood Duck Drake which has a broken bill. As most of you might know, I’ve never been tempted to carve a Duck! Not even a Waterbird of any kind until my current Smmer Class Project, The Little Green Heron. This particular repair actually led me to purchase a study-beak, pattern and (why not) a set of eyes. While I was in pre-ordering mode, I asked the carvers that were with me that day if they wanted me to order for them also. They did. Guess what? We’re now contemplating  an “off-the-books” project to carve the Wood Duck Drake as a “Carve-In” Project. Basically it’s NOT a class so, we each will only pay-for or acquire our own materials!  We alsow ill basically carve together or apart at our own speed.

We’re at the juncture where we will discuss the pattern modifications (separate for each of us?) and the size of the individual wood-blocks to be ordered soon. It’s looking like a “Winter Project”. Will try to keep you posted as we go.

Happy birding and carving,  Bill

Bald Eagle #3