"NO-SEE-UMS"

    John Greener, Norm Sullivan and I (all members of the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, (www.idahowoodcarversguild.org) did a demo of these "no-see-ums" at the Woodcraft store in Boise this past Saturday (April 7, 2012) as a publicity for the club, to demonstrate basic carving, and to plug the sale of carving tools at Woodcraft. It went very well, even with only a handful of people showing up. They were interested, and one gentleman signed up to take carving classes. These were easy simple projects that can be completed using scrap wood, and for carvers who are reluctant to try carving eyes in small carvings, these do not require eyes.
     I urge beginning carvers to give these a try. They are easy to do, the possibilities are endless, and it is great practice in the other mechanics of carving faces. Many carvers are reluctant to carve faces. I find them a great opportunity to recreate the endless faces I see every day. These small projects allow inexperienced carvers the chance to get some great practice in carving different faces. And if they do not work out very well, they make great "designer firewood". After all, it is wood, so it will burn. Just toss it in the fire and start over.
     Anyway, enjoy these projects, and happy carving!