October Meeting--Pumpkin Carving

Never have I seen a group of wood carvers  so silently engrossed in their creative use of sharp knives and gouges as they were this Saturday morning.  Normally there is a conversation or two or more going on about something--even when the president is trying to get everyone's attention for a short time-out for club business or special announcements.  No doubt the ease with which everyone's Tormek sharpened, razor edged tools pierced the hide and flesh of their garden grown victims was a new and rather captivating departure from the experience of carving basswood.

By lunch time there were at least five pumpkins and one somewhat squashed squash with faces carved in them.  Thanks to our president, Derek Boekhoff, for rounding up all the pumpkins, and providing printed samples of the many possibilities for pumpkin carving!  Pumpkins were still available for members who arrived for carving after lunch, and I believe everyone had a very good time.

It has worked well to extend the Third Saturday Meeting time for the S D Woodcarvers, Inc. from 1 PM to 9 AM, thus merging with the Active Generations carving class, which meets weekly, almost every other Saturday morning and every Monday morning.  It gives the class leader, Nancy Cummings, a little break, and while several members of SDWC, Inc. also attend the weekly classes, it gives non-SDWC members a chance to participate in our monthly project and decide how beneficial it might be to pay the $10 and become a voting member of the club.  

A hearty welcome to our newest such member, John Schaefer!

Tormek T-7 Sharpener

The new Tormek T-7 sharpening system is now available for use by qualified members of SDWC and/or Center for Active Generations Woodcarving Class.  A "qualified member " means someone who has read the little booklet on Safety and has watched at least one of several U-Tube videos on sharpening with the Tormek T-7.  There is also an instruction book and DVD available in the accessories tray for "how-to-do" viewing and learning.  At no extra cost, a little pack of band-aids was included with the accessories--because there is always someone who thinks it is a good idea to test the sharpness of a tool by rubbing the edge with the flesh side of his thumb.

Here is one suggestion for a "how-to" video on U-Tube: Standard Package

Here is another: Sharpening a Chef's Knife

In Memory of Ron Schulte

Ronald Schulte, dear friend and devoted member of South Dakota Woodcarvers, passed away suddenly on Monday, August 31, 2015, at the Sanford Medical Center.  During the past fifteen years as a member of our club, he rarely missed a meeting.  His talent for woodcarving was exceptional, and we will miss him very much.

Miller Funeral Home

Grandpa Nils Wins at National Exhibition of Folk Art

My figure carving entry entitled "There is a Better Way" won a First Place in the wood working division  at the National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition.  The event was held this past month at the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum in Decorah, IA.  The  figure was carved from a block of  4 X 6 basswood, and it earned the three points needed for me to become a winner of a Gold Medal.

Visit Vesterheim.org  to see a complete list of winners.

Nils Langum was the Grandfather of my Grandmother, Nettie (Rogen) Bortnem.  At age 25 he immigrated to America with his brother Andreas and eventually settled with his wife Karina on 80 acres of land about twenty miles north of Decorah, IA.

According to Our Nordic Heritage, a family history written by Mervin Langum, grandson of Nils, "Nils Langum invented and had patented the first grain harvester.  He was offered $18,000 for the patent, but declined, hoping for a better offer.  In the meantime the McCormick harvester came out with a similar model with modifications that ended his chance of a lifetime."

The original patent model for the Langum Reaper was handed down to Mervin's brother, Nathan, and was finally donated to the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah.  There it remains, at last sighting, in a glass case on the third floor of the Old Mill.

Celebrating the Stars and Strips

Perhaps in a time when even the flag of the United States of America is being scorned by some who probably refer to themselves as citizens, the flag carving project for our last meeting could not have been more appropriate.

The idea was suggested by our devoted secretary, Evelyn Huntimer, and she provided patterns and samples of work she had done.  Our president, Derek Boekoff, provided basswood cut outs in various sizes as well as how-to-do tips and techniques.

It was a fun and surprisingly challenging project--especially for some members who had never experienced carving the back and forth folds of flowing banners or drapery.  There was a question about how to divide a space into thirteen stripes of identical width.  Roger Coon, one of our new members, suggested spotting the lower edge of the blue rectangle just over half way down and get the correct stripe width by dividing just the six stripes below.

Painting (or carving) the stars was another problem.  Evelyn found a star shaped paper punch at Hobby Lobby, which she used to make a stencil from card stock.  But the flags in various sizes also need stars of like various sizes.  Making a stamp from a wine bottle stopper might work for the larger flags, but not the smaller one I worked on.  When all else fails. a tiny brush and a steady hand will get the job done!

Happy Independence Day!  (Assuming it will not be ruled out as being offensive to some people...)