Viking
Wood Carvers Newsletter
October 2006
Russell Scott
Newsletter Editor
1238 Edmund Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-917-2125 rscott56@netzero.com
VIKING Woodcarvers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Vol. 32 No. 8
PRESIDENT
* Dennis Schuster
VICE PRESIDENTS
SECRETARY
* Lynne Medgaarden
TREASURER
* Leo Mielke
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
COFFEE COMMITTEE
* Leonard Kampa
SHOW CHAIR
* Russell Scott
Viking Web Site - http://www.russscott.com/~rscott/vwca/
* Meeting Location – Knights of Columbus, 1114 W 79th St., Bloomington
* 4th Monday – October 23 – Meeting Time – 7:00 PM
-----------------------------------------------------
October Presentation: We will have a ‘Christmas Ornaments’ carve-in
where several members will each be demonstrating a carving. The
projects are intended to be small so that they can be (nearly)
completed at the meeting and tools are minimal. Bring your knife, a
small v-tool and a medium gouge to work on the project. Another carving
event is also planned for the November meeting. I’d like to thank John
Krantz for supplying the wood for our projects. Each carver will be
provided one blank and additional blanks will be available for sale by
the club.
President's Notes
I want to thank John Anderson for arranging to have Jorgge Sundqvist, a
renowned traditional-style carver from northern Sweden. His
presentation and demonstration on how to make a ‘shrink box’, i.e., a
drinking cup, out of green wood was so interesting that nobody wanted
to leave early. I would like a few volunteers to fill a nominating
committee at the October meeting. The following officer positions:
Vice-President (Program Chair), Editor, and Secretary are needed to be
filled for the start of the new fiscal year in February. I’m
streamlining the administration of the club to make the duties of these
officers less onerous and welcome those with new ideas and enthusiasm
to share. Currently, we still have several spoon kits and a chip
carving kit for sale. If you’re interested in helping us provide a
sharpening service, please contact me or any of the other officers.
Attention carvers: Please bring your work, completed or not, to ‘Show
and Tell’. You may talk about the piece if you like or simply request
help if you have a problem area with which you’re having difficulty. If
anyone has a project that they would like to do at one of our
carve-ins, please let us know.
The next two meetings are planned to be ‘carve-ins’, so be prepared to
bring some of your tools and go to work.
Good carving to you all,
Dennis ‘Denny’ Schuster
__________________________________________
Meeting
Minutes of Viking Woodcarver’s Meeting
September 25, 2006
By Lynne Medgaarden
President, Dennis Schuster called the meeting to order. There were 47
members present and one visitor, Frank Kelms. Once again members had
donated carving kits for sale. Proceeds go to the club. Thank you for
the donations.
Jim Forrey mentioned that he had seen Don Groen at a football game and
reported that his cancer is in remission and he is feeling good. We
hope he will join us at a future club meeting.
Treasury/Meeting Minutes: Leo Mielke reported a treasury balance of
$2,926.37. We have 112 members in good standing (2 new members) and 26
non-current members. If you would like to order a Viking Woodcarvers
name badge or a patch check with Leo.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer’s report as printed in the previous
newsletter were approved and seconded.
Newsletter Editor Report: Russell Scott sent out more newsletters via
email this month and saved the club money in printing and postage
charges. Contact Russ if you had any problems receiving your
newsletter. The by-laws state that if you don't pay your dues by March
you won't receive a newsletter. Russ will finish as newsletter editor
with the January issue. If you would like take over this position
please contact Dennis or Russ.
Show Report by Russell Scott: The Fall Viking Carving Show is scheduled
for October 28-29. Applications for the show were available at the
meeting and were mailed with the newsletter. The cost for a table is
$22 this year. Get your application in to Russ by October 1. We need
volunteers for set up on Friday night (4:00 p.m.) before the show. We
especially need help for the Sunday afternoon clean-up as everyone is
tired by then so more help is really appreciated. We need volunteers
for the club table also – talk to Russ.
Old Business:
Dennis is still looking for someone to offer sharpening services during
club meetings. If you know of someone who would do this please contact
Dennis.
We still need a Vice President/Program Chair – please volunteer. Dennis
has a committee lined up to assist the chair with this effort.
Thank you to those who demonstrated at the August meeting: Bob Horvet –
figure carving; Gerry Erickson – painting; Nancy Dardis – wood burning;
Swede Bengtson – intarsia; John Mitchell – chip carving.
The carving demonstration at the Minnesota State Fair was a success. We
had several people carving and talking with visitors. Thanks to all who
participated. We will plan to do this again next year.
New Business:
At the next meeting, October 23, we will have an ornament carve-in so
bring along a knife, v-tool, and chisel. Dennis is still looking for
volunteers to lead this event.
The newsletter editor and secretary positions will be coming open in
February. We need a nomination committee to come up with nominees for
these two positions.
The December meeting is scheduled for December 25. We will vote on
moving that meeting during the October meeting.
Classes:
Lake Area Woodcarvers – Contact Esther Allen to register for these
classes.
* Nancy Dardis, October 21, wood burning
* Karen Henderson, November 11-12, bark house or leaf bowl
* Lonnie Gay, December 8-10, intarsia
* Bob Ristau presented the September program for the Lake Area
Woodcarvers on making Shaker boxes.
Vendors
* George Effrem had a selection of books and tools related to the
speaker.
* Bob Spagenberg had some diamond willow walking sticks for sale for
$3-$5.
* Russell Scott had a selection of cottonwood bark for sale
* Jim Forrey had a collection of Chip Chats dating back to 1971 for
give away.
* John Krantz had a fine selection of wood
* Charlie Eiler had some miscellaneous items for sale.
_________________________________________________
Program for September
Jorgge Sundqvist, from Umea, Sweden, gave a presentation on Swedish
carving and shrink box making. Jorgge is traveling in the U.S.
lecturing and demonstrating. He is a second generation wood carver. He
has been teaching carving at craft education schools in Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Germany and Belgium, since 1986. Jorgge gave a PowerPoint
presentation showing some of his work and some ancient pieces of
woodcarving.
Jorgge teaches in the old traditional style. These traditions are still
surviving in his area of Sweden. His father wrote a book in 1970 on how
to do certain crafts in order to preserve the techniques. He mentioned
that Swedes are modest and don't brag about their skills but rather say
things like, "I am not un-crafty." This is a statement with a double
negative that makes a positive. Some of the techniques he teaches date
back to 900.
He teaches techniques for carving that stress the importance of using
the whole body, ergonomically to be efficient and effective. He can get
more power behind his carving with his ergonomic movements. Jorge cut a
round cylinder of green wood – aspen. He cleaned it out with a knife
and spoon gouge. Next he cut a line around the inside of the bottom and
then cleaned out a groove. He marked and cut a round piece of wood from
a piece that he had planed earlier. He tapped that piece into the
groove. When the green wood dries it shrinks into place and creates a
tight, waterproof seal. He mentioned that you could poor boiled milk
into the vessel and the casein in the milk would work like glue to give
an even tighter seal.
His box could also be dried in the microwave to speed the process. It
dries from the inside out. Be very careful not to burn the wood.
Include a glass of water in the microwave if you are using that method.
The shrink boxes that Jorgge brought were painted bright colors – red
and blue – and some had words or phrases painted or carved in the
sides. Jorgge was going on to the Volkschool in Grand Marais to teach
Swedish carving.
_________________________________________________
Upcoming Wood Carving Classes
Duane Heng has a very nice woodcarving shop at his home in Woodbury
(I’ve been there for a class and it is really, really nice). He is open
to present upcoming woodcarving classes in 2007.
* Pat Moore from Fargo, North Dakota will come out in May, 2007 to
teach the ‘Miniature Mallard Duck’. This will be a three day, Friday –
Sunday class. Pat is asking for $165.00 per student for the class, the
cut-out will be provided. Water colors are taught to paint the carving.
A minimum of 10 students are require to hold this class.
* John Engler form Oklahoma will teach a relief wood carving class in
the end of July, 2007. This will also be a three day class, Friday –
Sunday. The cost is $130.00 and 10 student minimum is required.
Duane is requiring an early commitment by February, 2007 and $50.00
down.
Russell Scott has created wood carving videos for sale. They are
demonstrations of carving different projects with the camera over his
shoulder as if you’re sitting next to him. The videos are:
Absolute Beginning Wood Carving, Next Step Wood Carving (Corn Cob on a
Base), Intermediate Wood Carving (Old World Santa)
Bark Carving Basics (Wood Spirit and Nome Home). For information, go to
www.russscott.com/carvings/
VIKING MAGNUM OPUS
(SHOW AND
TELL) – September, 2006
|
NAME
|
CARVING
|
WOOD
|
FINISH
|
COMMENTS
|
|
Erik Meade
|
Sven – Norwegian
Fisherman
|
Basswood
|
Unfinished
|
In Progress
|
|
Hugh Salisbury
|
Crappie
|
Basswood
|
Acry/Poly
|
Walnut Base – Manzaita
Root
|
|
Lew Forsmark
|
Chef Tooth Pick Holder
Hill Billy
|
Basswood
Basswood
|
Acrylics
Acrylics
|
|
|
John Sailor
|
The Dancer
|
Basswood
|
Stain
|
|
|
Charlie Eiler
|
Pheasant Feet
Spoons
|
Basswood
|
|
Welded Threaded Rod,
Putty
And Mahogany
|
|
Clarence Moe
|
Clown
Carousel Horse and Santa
|
Basswood
Basswood
|
Acrylics
Acrylics
|
|
|
Russell Scott
|
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Cowboy
|
Basswood
|
Acrylics
|
Mr. Gerald Sears, Mrs.
Mine
|
|
Duane Edwards
|
Santa
|
Basswood
|
Acrylics
|
|
|
Nancy Dardis
|
Big Horn Sheep Cane Holder
|
Basswood
|
Unfinished
|
|
|
Swede Bengtson
|
Intarsia
|
Mix
|
Polyurethane
|
|
|
Paul Thompson
|
Purple Finch
|
Tupelo
|
Acrylics
|
|
|
Jeff Lippka
|
Fur Trapper Head on Cane
|
Cedar
|
Acrylics
|
|
VIKING WOODCARVERS
2006 Fall SHOW AND SALE
October 28 and 29, 2006
Har Mar Mall at Snelling and
County Road B, Roseville, Minnesota
Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
(7:30 Doors Open)
Sunday, Noon to 5:00 pm (9:30
Doors Open)
This is your LAST CHANCE to participate in the VWCA Fall Show 2006 at
the Har Mar Mall October 28, 29. Send in your application and payment
ASAP.
I will need people to help me set up tables in the mall Friday October
27 at 3:30. Anyone who can help would be appreciated.