Viking Wood Carvers Association
Newsletter October 2003

PRESIDENT
· Jim Forrey
 (952) 831-2758

VICE PRESIDENTS
· Jim Ayers
 (612) 721-6074
· Myron Asper
 (952) 445-7274

SECRETARY
· Nancy Dardis
· 952-888-3479

TREASURER
· Lew Forsmark
· 952-888-3650

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
· Jim Ayers
· Myron Asper

COFFEE COMMITTEE
· Keith Fredrickson
· Leonard Kampa

SHOW CHAIRMEN
· Carol “Swede” Bengtson
· Merle Erickson
Viking Web Site - http://www.russscott.com/~rscott/vwca/

· New Meeting Location – Knights of Columbus, 1114 W 79th St., Bloomington,
· 4th Monday – Meeting Time – 7:00 PM

October, 2003 Presentation – October 27, 2003
Tom Dangler will give a presentation on spoon carving. Tom is a longtime woodworker who has a habit of really getting into his projects. Several years ago he and his wife spent time with woodcarvers in Bali, Indonesia, and he shared his experiences with our Viking group last year in his presentation on Balinese Masks. Tom’s approach to spoon carving is quite straightforward, and recently he has taught classes on spoon carving at Woodcraft in Bloomington.

President Jim Forrey called the meeting to order.  There were 57 members in attendance.
No guests this month.  We are glad to see the change in night and location did not severely impact attendance.  There are some individuals who will miss meetings that now coincide with previously scheduled events.  We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope to stay in touch with you at least through the newsletter.

Jim reported that Merle Erickson suffered a severe stroke over the summer.  He was in the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Center at the time of this meeting, but will be moved to another location soon.  He is still hopeful for a strong recovery, but progress is slow.  He cannot have visitors at this time, but would appreciate your cards and letters. We wish you a strong and speedy recovery, Merle!

With the beginning of a new meeting year, Swede has been working with the printers to give our organization a more professional look.  Hopefully, this will also cut down on some of the manual labor required for tracking memberships.  A new membership form has been printed, business cards are available, and we now have nice numbered membership cards.  Once you receive your membership number, it stays with you as long as you renew your membership.  Dues for everyone are payable in February of each year.  Unless you are a new member from this first meeting, you will have to wait for your special number.  A note in the newsletter will advise you when to come clean with the payment.  Some members have already pre-paid for next year.  We appreciate your commitment!

Business Reports
Treasurer Lew Frosmark updated the treasurer’s report.
                      Expenses     Reason                                     Income
July               $483.37        Caps and Patches                         $0.00
August          $2.00            Postage                                          $0.00
September    $315.19        Printing, postage and Swede   $957.00

The balance on September 22, 2003 was $4,532.78.  The Treasurer’s report was approved and seconded.

The June meeting minutes as printed in the previous newsletter were approved and seconded.

Editor, Russell Scott, noted two items missed in the newsletter.
· The Red Wing show is Oct 11-12 at River Center in Red Wing.
· The time for our Viking meetings.  Even though we changed location and moved to the 4th Monday, the meeting still starts at 7 PM.  Arrive early to browse available vendor products and chat over a cup of coffee.

Program Chairman, Jim Ayers is always looking for more program ideas.  If you have suggestions, call him at (612) 721-6074.  Next month’s presentation is on spoon carving.  November may be a ‘holiday project’ carve-in.  If you have a project you would like to share, let Jim know so he can add you to the roster.  He’s thinking of setting this up similar to the woodcarver’s buffet where members can join a carver at any table, get the project pattern and see how it’s made.  Sounds like a great idea!

2003 Fall Show - 2003 Fall Show
The show will again be at Har Mar Mall – Saturday, October 25 (10-6) and Sunday, October 26 (Noon – 5).
Swede needs your help!
With Merle out of the picture and Swede having surgery in a couple weeks, the success of this show hinges on the membership.

Signup has been less than spectacular.  Ninety notices were sent out and only 53 members responded and requested space. (By the printing of this newsletter around 73 tables were reserved). Now is the time to reconsider and sign up before Swede gets on the phone and ‘starts getting nasty’!  As some of you noted, the cost of the tables has increased to $20.  This is due to an increase in the table rental fee at the center and the new Usage Fee charged by Har Mar Mall.

Caps and Patches
Before we took the summer break, we authorized our committee to find a place to get caps and patches printed.  They made a wonderful selection with EmbroidMe at 98th & Lyndale (Clover Shopping Center).  The caps are $15, the patches are $4.  Most of the caps sold out at this first meeting.  Do not fear you can still get a cap – or anything else - with the Viking logo!  There are two ways you can get in on the action:
1. An order form will be available at future meetings where you can select the item(s) you want from a large array of items (not just hats!).  Pay for the item at the meeting and the Viking club will order it for you.  It should be available at the following meeting.
2. Go to EmbroidMe and tell them you are a Viking member.  Browse the catalog and select your item.  They will put the Viking logo on and deliver it to the club as soon as possible.  You pay for the item at the next Viking meeting.

MEETING ROOM RULES:  We do NOT have to pay for the room PROVIDED we put all cups and trash in the receptacles provided, and replace the tables and chairs the same way we found them – three chairs to a table, all tables in rows.  Some members forgot these little rules and your Board had to clean up after you.  Remember: We want to go home too!

Esther Allen invited the group to attend one or more of the October classes provided by the  Lake Area Carving Club.  She also noted that on Jan 17-18, 2004 (9am – 5PM), a Scandinavian Flat Plane Carving Class is being offered at the Forest Lake Senior Center.  Bill Jaeger, a former instructor at the Swedish Institute, will teach this class.  If you would like to sign up, contact Esther at 651-464-2087.  The cost of this class is $40, plus cost of the blank.

Jim Forrey checked into the possibility of dining at the Knights of Columbus building.  They do have a dining room that is open to the general public.  However, it is closed on Mondays.  Jim was happy to announce that the bar is open on Monday.  He noted that he must stay away from the bar since one drink seems to leave him light-headed…he’s not sure if it’s the 7th or 8th one, but he knows it’s one of those!  Must not be drinking water, Jim.

Presentation: Chip Carving with Ken Brown
Ken is a member of the Rochester Carving Club and was recently inspired by his wife’s quilts to transfer the designs to chip carving.  His results were spectacular.  Jim Ayers quoted Garrison Keillor in his introduction, noting that Ken’s artistic endeavors are his ‘Head Stop’ program transitioning his energies from his analytical job at IBM.  Ken actually presented three different topics:  Making a Chip Carving Knife, Woodcarver’s Use of Shellac, and finally Chip-Carved Quilt Boxes.

Making a Chip Carving Knife
Chip carving knives are readily available, but generally expensive.  Ken walked through the steps he uses to grind down a Stanley utility knife blade, and mount the blade in a handle.

His technique allows you to customize the length of the blade and produces a stronger and thinner blade than those generally available commercially.  An added benefit is they only cost about 25 cents!

Woodcarver’s Use of Shellac
Ken uses shellac on his carvings.  His reasons are:  it is an excellent sealer, it provides a warm color, it is a great sanding prep, it allows easy removal of spray adhesive from pattern application, and it can be used on water or oil base paints (also as a separator to put one type of paint on top of another).  Shellac is child-safe (edible) and adds a nice warm accent to Jo Sonja Crackle paints.

Shellac can be purchased as dried flakes to mix with denatured alcohol or pre-mixed.  It can be ‘clear’ or in a variety of tones.  Ken has found a light coat of shellac stops the uneven absorption of paint into the end grain when working in soft woods such as Basswood. For more information check out woodfinishingsupplies.com.

Chip-Carved Quilt Boxes
‘Let the quilters do the design work!’  Ken loves to browse his wife’s quilt books and magazines for patterns to use on his chip-carved boxes and ornaments.  The removed chip shapes are then painted to simulate fabric colors.  Note:  Sealing with shellac also allows easy paint application.  Ken does a cross-grain cut first since this requires the most pressure.  The second cut is with the grain.  Ken’s steps for his Quilt Boxes:
1. Develop/Select the pattern – Try to adjust the pattern so the points, rather than a flat side of the pattern, are on the edge of the design.  Visualize the pattern.  Leave space around the edge or between blocks for variety.
2. Shellac the item and lightly sand.
3. Trace the outline of the pattern and dent the inner corners of the pattern.
4. Paint the background color (this may take several coats).  This makes the chips stand out better.
5. Spray Acrylic finish.
6. Attach the pattern using spray adhesive.
7. Carve out the chips.
8. Remove the pattern pieces.  Hint:  Use a blow dryer (to heat the adhesive) and pencil eraser (to flick the small pieces off the carving).
9. Remove glue residue with a light buffing of Acetone.  Repair nicks with wood putty or paint.  Use a toothpick to press undercuts close.
10. Spray Acrylic finish.
11. Paint chips.  Work with 8-10 same-colored chips at a time.  You don’t need to be real careful.  You can ‘slop’ the paint into the depressions and wipe off the excess, since the wood is sealed.
12. Use a veiner on the edge to produce a frame effect.
13. Paint the vein ditch or the raised frame.
14. Spray Acrylic finish.
15. If the item is an ornament, use a belt sander to smooth the edges.

Thanks, Ken for some great inspiration!
 

From the Carvers' Companion - Woodcarver Online Magazine
Loren Woodard, editor of Notes From the Net  http://www.carverscompanion.com/

USING SUPERGLUE AND HOW TO MAKE QUICK REPAIRS
Arthur Morley (arfer@itl.net):
Am I alone in finding cyanoacrylate glues (Superglue) temperamental? Sometimes "Those little accidents" mend superbly, other times the darn stuff won't stick, except of course to yours truly. What's best to repair the little bits that fall off a carving?
Ainslie L. Pyne (woodart@woodart.com.au):
I thought I was the only one with problems with cyanoacrylate glue. I think part of the problem could be associated with the type of wood it is used on. If you use too much glue it takes forever to mend. Try using a little less glue and hold the piece in place with something like a strip of tape.  Short of that, you can hold it in place for a couple of minutes until the glue takes hold. If there is a chance this could cause your skin to become stuck to the piece, try using a little plastic film between your skin and the wood. You can then pull this away and sand off the residue. Easier than losing some skin!
Camille Courtright (camillec@efn.org):
I put my vote in for Elmer's! I usually use it to fix a finger, ear, or nose. If you don't use too much and hold it tight for about 10 minutes it will stay in place. Then I usually just lay it down and 24 hours later it is ready to go. The joint is usually stronger than the surrounding wood.
Sheri (shlew@denver.net):
I learned a cool trick this summer in a Bob Guge seminar. When preparing to glue a joint, broken or planned, apply wood glue like Elmer's to the surfaces, then add a drop of super glue and hold it together. The superglue fastens it quickly while the wood glue dries and holds it permanently.

Material from Woodcarver Online Magazine is copyright protected and is reprinted with permission. Visit http://carverscompanion.com for more information.

Anderson Elaine June (nee Pinks) Anderson, age 79 of Bloomington died peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2003. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Iver J. Anderson. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune from 10/8/2003 - 10/9/2003.

NAME                 CARVING          WOOD         FINISH                 COMMENTS
Leonard Kampa        Arabian Horse          Butternut         Acrylics                        4th @ 2003 State Fair
Nancy Dardis            2 Wood burnings      Ash                   Wax                             On mini canoe paddles
Russell Scott             Indian Relief             Butternut Log  Wax                             1st @ 2003 State Fair
                                   Yellow Lab                Basswood        Acrylics                        1st @ 2003 State Fair
Bill Larson                Green Man                Basswood        Oil
Elaine Stenman         MarineRelief Scene Basswood        Acrylics                        Unfinished
Marv Meyer             Duck head/call          Walnut             Oil                                Brass Trim
                                   Snow Goose              White Cedar
Clarence Moe           3 Clowns                    Basswood        Acrylics
Bill Pedersen             Sea Captain              Basswood         Acrylics                       From a figure in a Maritime Store, Duluth
Gen Jansen               3 Caricatures             Basswood        Acrylics                       From Lloyd Merg Class
Jeff Lippka                Indian Relief             Cotnwd Bark   Acrylics                       First Painted Face
Jim Forrey                 Gldn Retriever Urn   Pine                 Oil
Walt Grittner             Chip Carved Box       Basswood        Polyurethane              1st Place and Special Awards
Duane Heng              Golfer                          Basswood       Poly, Ac, Wax
                                   Wreath                        Bass, Butter   Poly, Ac, Wax              Class Project
Jupe Houman            Uncle Sam / Rocket   Basswood        Acrylics                        Heading for the Moon
Hugh Salisbury         Ballet Dancers            Butternut         Polyurethane               Walnut Base
Esther Allen              Shallow Relief Quails Basswood         Poly, Acrylics              Stenman Class
Dick Allen                 Ranch Hand                Butternut         Oil                                Wahpeton Workshop
 

Color pictures, click <HERE>

Woodcarvers Store and School
3056 Excelsior Blvd., Minneapolis, MN  55416-0127 (612) 927-7491 (www.woodcarversstore.com)

Jim Abicht, Fine woodworking
Specializing in bases for carving projects  (651) 451-7217

Ivan Whillock Studio
122 NE 1st Avenue, Faribault, MN 55021  (507) 334-8306 (www.whillock.com)

 Krantz Wood Sales - Carving & Specialty Woods
 16748 Stanford St., Forest Lake, MN  55025  (651) 464-5632 (Evenings)

David Lindroth, Custom Cut Woods for Woodcarvers & Artists
8150 – 137th St. W.  Apple Valley, Mn  55124  (952) 432-7066

Nelson-Johnson Wood Products, Inc.
3910 Bryant Ave No., Mpls., MN  55412    (612) 529-2978 - cell phone (612) 644-4567

Chris Thompson, Carver and Instructor, (651) 457-4130

Gen Jansen, Carver and Instructor, (320) 252-3966

Bob Masse “Ruff-Cuts”
4930 Whitcomb Dr, Madison, WI  53711  (608) 271-2883

Brad Oren Sculpture Supply
Complete source for stone, wood, clay, abrasives & tools.

Rockler Stores:
Maplewood, MN  (651) 773-5285; Minneapolis, MN  (612) 822-3338;
Burnsville, MN  (952) 892-7999; Minnetonka, MN (952) 542-0111

Woodcraft Supply
9741 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN  (952) 884-3634

Gregg McCabe, Stubai tool distributor
425 Madison St NE, Minneapolis, MN (612) 379-9342

Garry N. Kolb - Woodcarving Supplies
2528 24 Ave NW, Rochester, Mn. 55901 (507) 289-9138

Copperhead Road Logging and Lumber
Joe Jewett – 54852 Great River Rd. Palisade, Mn. 56469 (218) 845-2832

Duck-r-us.com Ron Fisher
Duck Decoy Blanks. 1-800-231-7370 www.ronfisher.com