“2024 Woodcarving Shows & Events”

Remaining Woodcarving Shows & Events for 2024

The following is a list of the remaining woodcarving shows & events for 2024.  Get out and look for one near you!

July 8-12 – Ellensburg, Washington. Northwest Carving Academy at Kittitas Valley Event Center; 10 carving instructors (see website www.nwcarvingacademy.com). Email Terry: tbmoss@msn.com.

July 13-19 – Creede, Colorado. Creede Woodcarvers Rendezvous at Underground Mining Museum and Community Center, 503 W Wil­ low Ck Rd. Class registration: Marianne Benjamin (719) 648-6854, maben4580@gmail.com. Website: Creedewoodcarvers.com.

July 17-20 – Fletcher, Ohio. Buckeye Woodcarvers Roundup at P Farmers Campground, 7211 Lost Creek-Shelby Rd.; 9am-to 5pm. Barb Foster (937) 773-8820 or (937) 214-0790. Campground: (937) 368-2449. Website: www.buckeyewoodcarversroundup.webs.com.  

July 21-25 – Honesdale, Pennsylvania. 22nd Northeast Woodcarvers Roundup at Cherry Ridge Campsites. Bob Muller (570) 470-2736; rmuller@nep.net. Website: www.cherryridgecarvers.org.

August 9-10 –  Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarvers present annual show. Rick Brooks: reb98765@gmail.com. August 9-11 – St. Andrews by the Sea, NB, Canada. 17th New Brunswick Wood Carving Competition and Sale at Sir James Dunn Academy. Email Tim Griffin at timothygriffincc@gmail.com. Visit website nbcarving.ca.

August 17-18 – Sioux Falls, South Dakota. First annual Hand Crafts, Tool, and Woodworkers Expo at Sioux Falls Convention Center. Website: www.woodcraftsexpo.com. Shane VanMeveren (605) 650-2040; shane@woodcraftsexpo.com.

August 24 – Saginaw, Michigan. 35th annual Tri-City Wood Carvers’ Woodcarving and Art Show at KC Hall, 4840 Shattuc Rd.; Oam to 4pm. Admission $3; under age 12 is free. Jack Haroe· 989 600- 0262; harperjack15@gmail.com.

August 31 –  WIiiiamsviiie, Illinois. Sangamon Valley ‘.’oodca-vers‘33rd show, sale, and competition at Williamsville Village Hall, 141 West Main St.; 10am to 4pm. Free admission. Mike Smith (217) 299-0325; wwsmithms@hotmail.com. www.svwoodcarvers.org

August 31 – September 1 – Wheeling, West Virginia. Oglebay Wood­ carvers Guild presents 45th show in the Pine Room at Oglebay Park on WV-88. Email Clark Adams: clark@unimaxsystems.com.

September 14 – Janesville, Wisc. Rock River Valley Carvers’ 18th show and sale at Rock County Fairgrounds, Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave.; 9am to 4pm. Free admission. Brad Crandall (608) 931-0188, bwkicrandall@gmail.com; or email John at jkraisbeck4@gmail.com. Website: www.rockrivervalleycarvers.com.

September 14 – Ballwin, Missouri. 18th annual West County Wood­ carvers Show and Sale at Salem in Ballwin, United Methodist Church, 14825 Manchester Road; 10am to 4pm; free admission. (Held in conjunction with Men’s BBQ.) www.wcwoodcarvers.org

September 14-15 – Colorado Springs, Colorado. Caricature Carvers of America present “Carvin’ the Rockies” at Colorado Springs Shrine Club. Website: www.cca-carvers.org.

September 16-18 – Colorado Springs, Colorado. Caricature Carvers of America offer classes at Colorado Springs Shrine Club. See website www.cca-carvers.org.

September 20-22 – Honesdale, Pennsylvania. 21st Fall Carve In at Cherry Ridge Campsites. Contact: Bob Muller (570) 470-2736; rmuller@nep.net. Website: www.cherryridgecarvers.org.

September 20-22 – Wellington, Ohio. Lorain County Wood Carvers ( host 46th show at Lorain County Fairgrounds. Friday and Saturday ,”8 8 to 5; Sunday 10 to 3. Ann Mowery (440) 864-0496.

September 21-22 – Cambria, California. Central Coast Woodcarvers Show, sponsored by CCG Chapter #7, at Cambria Veterans Hall, 1000 Main Street. Website: www.centralcoastwoodcarvers.com. Email Melody at mamullis@ix.netcom.com.

September 28 – Eau Claire, Wisconsin. West Wisconsin Wood Carvers Guild’s third annual Chippewa Valley Woodcarving Show and Sale at Brick House Pub and Banquet Room, 2233 Birch St.; 10am – 4pm. Free admission. Charlene (715) 497-6296; thelynums @gmail.com.

October 2-4 and October 7-9- Sevierville, Tennessee. Smoky Moun­ tain Woodcarvers host carving/pyrography seminars. JR Hemmer­ lein (309) 620-1197; CorngrinderSO@yahoo.com

October 5 – Saline, Michigan. Saline Carvers annual show at Liberty School, 7265 North Ann Arbor St.; 10am to 4pm. Peggy Lubahn (734) 548-0194.

October 5-6 – Coon Rapids, Minn. Metro chapter of Minnesota Woodcarvers Assoc. hosts 21st seminar at Coon Rapids VFW #9125 located at 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd. Saturday 8-5; Sunday 8-4. Tom Sheldon (763) 213-4178; tbshel@comcast.net.

October 5-6 – Sevierville, Tenn. Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Festi­ val and Competition at My People Senior Activity Center, 1220 W. Main Street. Saturday 10-5; Sunday 10-4. JR Hemmerlein (309) 620-1197; Corngrinder50@yahoo.com.

October 11-13 – Yorkville, Illinois. Gathering of Woodcarvers (GOW) at Lyon Farm, Rt. 71. Mike Noland: menoland60@comcast.net.

October 12 – Omaha, Nebraska. Mid-American Woodcarvers present 49th annual show/sale at German American Society, 3717 5. 120th St.; 9am to 5pm; free admission. Amanda Bartling (712) 310-1066; bart1ing09l2@gmail.com. Web: midamericawoodcarvers.com.

October 12-13 –  Colorado Springs, Colo. Pikes Peak Whittlers show,

., sale, and competition at Colorado Springs Shrine Club, 6 South 33rd Street; 10am to 4pm. Admission $5 (kids under 12 free with adult); $4 military & seniors. Mark Goodman: Good-Wood@comcast.net.

October 17-27 – Pensacola, Florida. Annual woodcarving competition and display at the Pensacola Interstate Fair.

October 25-26 – Archbold, Ohio. 38th annual Woodcarver’s Show & Sale in Founder’s Hall at Sauder Village, 22611State Rt 2; 10am to Spm. Call (800) 590-9755. Website: www.saudervillage.org.

October 26-27 – Asheville, N. Car. Western North Carolina Carvers present exhibition at Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382. Free parking; free admission. Saturday 10-5; Sunday 10-4. Email John Nieburg at johnnieburg@msn.com.

October 26-27 – Belleville, Illinois. 53rd Midwest Artistry in Wood & Craft Show at Belle-Clair Exposition Hall, 200 S. Belt East at Highway 159. Saturday 9-5; Sunday 10-4. Admission $5 (under age 12, free). www.midwestwoodcarvers.com

October 26-27 – East Berlin, Penn. Conewago Carvers Club Show at East Berlin Area Community Center, 405 North Ave. Bob Nesbit: rjnes80@gmail.com.

October 27 – DeForest, Wisc. Capital Area Carvers of Wisconsin and Badger Woodturners host 33rd show/sale at DeForest Area High School, 815 Jefferson St. Free admission. Cindy (608) 712-2989; cynthia.potthast@gmail.com. Web: www.cacw.clubexpress.com.

November 1-2 – Huntsville, Alabama. 40th annual Mid-South Wood­ carving Show and Competition at Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd.; 9 to 5. Free admission. NAWAwoodcarvers.org

November 2 – Camdenton, Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks carving show, sale, and competition at Community Christian Church, 1064 N Highway 5. Free admission. Doug Bibles (573) 286-1049; dbibles@charter.net/lakeozarkswoodcarvers.org.

November 9 – Inverness, Florida. Nature Coast Woodcarvers present 29th annual show and sale at 9228 E Gospel Island Rd; 9am to 2pm. Admission $2. Email: NatureCoastWCC@gmail.com.

November 15-16 – Oklahoma City, Okla. Oklahoma City Woodcarvers present show and sale at Will Rogers Gardens Exhibition Center, 3400 NW 36th St. Free admission. Marvin Jones(405) 397-2034; carvinmarvinej@gmail.com. Website: www.okcarver.org.

Reader’s Comments

“Thank you Bob, I always look forward to you fantastic news letter Chi Chats. I enjoy your tips, tricks, and articles. Not to mention the odd pattern thrown in to boot. Keep up the great work, trust me You are appreciated. Your Canadian fellow carver John Robinson. Nanaimo.BC Canada.”

Thank you for the kind comments, John.  I really appreciate your words of encouragement.

“thanks Bob! Always enjoy reading these and learning something new. Sue MacCullum (True North Carver)”

Thank you for your comments, Sue.  Greatly appreciated.

“I’m just recently found this great Blog, the “Chip Chatter.” The “21 Tips” make a lot of sense– over the past 40+ years of carving, I have learned many things the “hard way.” Most recently, I really found out why I should not have a carving glove on the left hand while holding the workpiece and using a high-speed rotary tool. The bit grabbed the glove’s little finger which of course included my pinky. The glove is fine, and now, after the trip to the ER for six (6) stitches, and almost two months, the pinky looks okay but is still healing! Lesson learned!

Chuck Strauss, Nelson County, Virginia”

Thank you so much for writing, Chuck!  You raise a very important point.  It is dangerous to wear a carving glove when working with a rotary tool.  The tool’s burs spin at extremely high rates of speed and if contact is made with the glove the bur will grab onto it causing damage to the glove and serious injury to the hand that is wearing it.

My very good friend, Jim Babcock of Columbus, Indiana sent in a nice comment and interesting question.  Jim writes:

Bob:

I have referenced your articles on the use of walnut oil and other finishes several times and find both very useful.   Very much appreciate your tips in the blog.

A separate question.  I am considering using walnut oil on a carving and a water based gel stain in another area of the same carving.  No problem, correct ?

Jim babcock

Columbus, Indiana

That’s correct, Jim.  You should have no problems with using walnut oil and water-based gel stain on the same carving, however, as I always do, I recommend experimenting on a scrap piece of wood first.

Lastly, we have a comment and photo from a good friend in France (I think) who enjoyed carving a Moravian star from my tutorial.  He writes:

Merci pour le tutoriel de sculpture de cette étoile morave,que je connais sous le nom de merkaba,parce que je croyais que l étoile morale avait 26 branches? Merci

Translation:

Thank you for the tutorial on sculpting this Moravian star, which I know under the name merkaba, because I thought the moral star had 26 branches? THANKS

Thank you for the photo.  I’m glad you found my tutorial helpful.

Photo Shop

“Photo Shop” is the section of Wood Chip Chatter where carvers can send in photos of their wood carvings for display. It’s your chance to show off your work…sort of a show and tell. The photos will only be displayed and no comments or critiques will be made.  For critiques on your carvings send them in to the “Carver’s Corner.”  Send your photos to: carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com

This month we have a nicely done carving by my good friend, Terry Grimm.  Terry writes:

“I just finished whittling an Alec Lacasse flower pattern and combined it with a Sara Barraclough honey bee.”

Very well done, Terry!  I really like it.

My very good friend, Vern Freer also sent in some photos of his recent works.  Vern writes:

Thanks again Bob for all you do to encourage the carving community.  There are always nuggets worth mining from every issue.  The recent article regarding the use of rotary tools was very timely.  I’ve been trying out some of the rotary tools for parts of some recent projects like part of the head on the vulture I’ve included.  The pattern was from an article by Kathryn Overcash “Carving a Cartoon Vulture in Cottonwood Bark”.  I decided to just use some basswood and scrap wood.  The rotary tools were great while working on some of the head details (it was a poor piece of wood to be using but the rotary tool made it workable).  The snowman was just a quick fun carving.  The journey continues….

Vern Freer

Thank you for the photos, Vern!  Your vulture and snowman are both excellent, and I’m glad you’re finding useful tid bits in Wood Chip Chatter each month.

My very good friend, Jim Babcock of Columbus, Indiana sent in a photo of a happy Sun Flower he recently relief carved:

Thanks for the photo, Jim!  Very nicely done.

Woodcarving Tip

Keep a Painting Diary

As you paint, it’s a good idea to jot down your formulas for the paint mixtures you use.  Whether it’s 1 drop of paint to 10 drops of water or 1 drop of paint to 25 drops of water, jot it down in a little notebook to keep for future reference.  It will take the guess work out of mixing your paints the next time and make them more consistent.  Remember to jot down the paint to water ratio, and the type and color of the paint you used.

Also, as you are painting your carvings jot down the colors/combinations you are using on a particular feature of the carving.  This way you will have a reference to go by for future painting projects.  This is particularly helpful when painting flesh tone combinations.  Again, this guide will help give you consistency from carving to carving.

Pattern of the Month

Golfer

Upcoming Workshops & Seminars

Bruce’s Brawlers

Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell

Dates: July 9, 23 6PM Eastern

 Location: Online (Via Zoom)

For details and to sign up  click on Dwayn’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/

Dwayne’s website

Carving A Horse Jumping Fence 

Teacher: Janet Cordell

Dates:  Aug 5, 9, 12, 16,19, 23, 2024 

Times: 2-4 p.m.  Pacific Time  /3-5 p.m.  Mountain Time  /4-6 p.m.  Central Time /5-7  p.m.  Eastern Time /

12 hours ( 6 sessions – 2 hours each day) 

 Location: Online (Via Zoom)

For details and to sign up email Janet Cordell 

Contact Janet

George

Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell

Dates:  George – August 6,20 – 6PM Eastern (Tuesday)

 Location: Online (Via Zoom)

For details and to sign up  click on Dwayn’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/

Dwayne’s website

Santa

 Teacher: Dave Stetson

Dates:    Aug 17,18,24,25,31

Times:  Sat, Sun – 9:30am-11:30 Pacific /11:30am-01:30pm Central / 12:30pm – 2:30pm Eastern

10 hours (5 sessions – 2 hours each day)

Location: Online (Via Zoom)

For details and to sign up email Dave lcnmichele@aol.com

Contact Dave

Online Classes With
Chris Hammack

Teacher: Chris Hammack 

Chris Hammack is offering a new series of online
classes to help students learn and sharpen their woodcarving skills. 
Individual and Group Classes are available through his web site
chrishammackart.com/groupclass

TWhittle Tuesdays

Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell  

Dates: Two – 2 hour classes each month on Tuesdays

Location: Online (Via Zoom)

To sign up contact Dwayne Gosnell via email dagwood_76@gmail.com

Woodcarving Academy

Established in 2020, the Woodcarving Academy offers dozens of videos and seminars created by some of the country’s top level instructors.  More videos are added regularly as they are created by the instructors.

With a paid subscription to the Woodcarving Academy you can view any videos you like for as many times as you like.

Subscription rates:  Monthly = $19.95   Quarterly = $49.95   Annual = $139.95

There is even a Free level which allows you to tour the website and watch the sample videos and content, and receive email updates as new content becomes available.

Check out the Woodcarving Academy and learn with the masters right in the comfort of your own home!  Go to: www.woodcarvingacademy.com or Email: support@woodcarvingacademy.com

News & Announcements

The International Association of Woodcarvers has upcoming Zoom meetings on the following Saturdays at 3PM EST with special guest presenters.  Check them out…

Zoom:  310-460-3575

Presentation Schedule:

We will be starting out Summer Series beginning in June.  There will be only one meeting per month during July and August.

Next Meeting

7/20 – Josh Walters – Windy Cape Studios

8/10 – Mike Bloomquist

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOODCARVERS

COME JOIN US!!!

AML Wood Carving Knives

AML Wood Carving Knives are handmade by Andy Loughlin in Monroe, New York.

The blades are made from 1095 high carbon steel sharpen easily and hold an edge well.  The variety of handle styles are all made from diverse exotic woods from all around the world.  The knives are all available for auction on EBay under “AML Knives.”  Bidding usually starts at $22 and most knives sell for between $40 and $100.

Every knife comes razor sharp right out of the package and each one comes with a custom made magnetic wooden sheath (see below) at no extra cost.

I now own three AML Knives and can speak personally about their quality.  These are not production knives. Each knife is handmade by Andy, himself.  The knives are very sturdy, well made, and will stack up to any other knife on the market.  These knives have quickly become quite popular and sell out fast so check the site (“AML Carving Knives” on EBAY) often for availability.

Andy has recently begun making knives with handles made from exotic woods and colored epoxy creating some really beautiful unique handle designs.  Below are examples of some knives currently available or which have recently sold:

KEEP THE CHIPS FLYING!!!

Send in your questions, comments and photos so we can keep Wood Chip Chatter active and keep the conversations going!  Effective discussions are one of the best ways to learn about the topics that interest you.  Remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.  Plus we would all love to learn about the unique tips, techniques and products YOU use in your woodcarving process.  Send your questions, comments and photos to carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com  Thanks!

NOTE: There will be no Wood Chip Chatter published next month (August) as I will be away on vacation.

The next issue of Wood Chip Chatter will be posted on September 6, 2024.

Keep a sharp eye out for it.

Keep a sharp edge, and keep on carvin’!

Funny Bone