carv-fest

One of my new hobbies is woodcarving. My grandfather was an excellent wood-carver and for nearly as long as I can remember, I've wanted to carve, too. I still have the pocket jack-knife my grandfather gave me, along with a carving he'd started and he told me to go to work on it. I did, and ruined it completely.

About ten years ago, my wife, knowing of my desire to carve, gave me a set of carving tools. I picked up some wood, some books about carving, and got totally frustrated at my lack of ability.

Finally, about two years ago, a carving class was offered in my new town, and at my wife's encouragement, I signed up for the class. There I learned that my earlier problem was not that I couldn't carve, but that I had dull tools. I enjoyed the class completely, and now carve whenever I get the chance.

In Fairbault, MN is a two-day festival of woodcarving (aptly titled Carv-Fest). Last year was their first year, which I also attended. I took one, two-hour class on Scandinavian flat-plane carving, and actually had my two oldest children signed up for a class on relief carving, which they both enjoyed.

I had a very nice conversation with one of the top carvers in the country, Ivan Whillock, who grew up in Trempealeau, WI and attended Winona State University, graduating with a degree in English.

I didn't spend too much money at the Carv-Fest this year... one new tool, three books, and two pieces of wood -- one just because it looked nice, and one for a project I plan to do for my daughter.

It was a very nice way to wind down the vacation.