Saturday, October 04, 2025

New Work Holder

 Two by Two lengths milled from salvaged maple tree branches were glued together for the top.  Material for the rest came from scraps saved over the years because "they might come in handy someday".  The only "store bought" items were the bench dogs.  








Tilted
Rotated


Elevated
Underside





Sunday, March 10, 2024

A Modern Master Woodcarver

 One of several YouTube videos featuring Alexander Grabovetskiy: 

The Way to Become a Master Woodcarver




Sunday, March 05, 2023

February Third Saturday Carving Project


 
Our club president provided basswood blanks for members of SDWC to carve a blue bird as featured in the 2003 Spring issue of Woodcarving Illustrated.  Pictured is a sample of the project completed by Arne Bortnem.  The carving was done with a whittling knife and a few little gouges (no power tools).  The eyes were carved with a #10, 4 mm, back bent gouge, painted black, and highlighted with clear fingernail polish.  Left over copper house wire (14 and 12 ga.) was used to make the legs and feet.  Wing and tail feathers were outlined with a small 90-degree V tool.  A wood burner added the final detail to feathers. 

Sunday, January 22, 2023

A Good Time to Visit Florida!

Feb 7-10, 2023 .... tues-fri

WELCOME to the 2023 Florida Woodcarvers Roundup!  Please check out our excellent class lineup listed below. You are welcome to take one class or even four straight days of classes. Create your own schedule! Walk-ins welcome however it is best to pre-register before the class fills up. Register by class # by email or call Chris at 507-339-0336. 

Location: VFW/North Port • 4860 Trott Circle

Carve Fest 

Monday, May 02, 2022

Dick Peterson

Retired Lutheran pastor, Richard Peterson, was a long-time member and one time President of South Dakota Woodcarvers.  After a struggle with kidney and then lung cancer he died April 2, 2022, at Sanford Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD.



Dick was a big fan of well-known woodcarving instructor, Desiree Hajne


Friday, March 11, 2022

2022 Good Egg Award

In the year 2020 the South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. initiated a Good Egg Award to be presented to one member of this non-profit organization for his or her exemplary service and participation in promoting the advancement of the art of woodcarving.  Our Secretary, Ellison Kalda, received that first award along with a blank wooden egg to be carved and presented to the next SDWC member to be chosen to receive this award.  Ideally a caricature likeness of the recipient could be carved into the egg, but there are no restrictions on who does the carving or how it should look.  Our Vice President, William Dickey, was chosen for this year’s award, and his carved likeness was masterfully executed by Ellison.  The award was presented at the Dickey’s house in Brandon, where wonderful displays of Bill’s carvings were happily viewed.  

His realistic fish carvings are Awesome!   



Friday, January 14, 2022

In Memory of Dick Sabers

We mourn the passing of Justice Richard Sabers, former member and Vice President of S D woodcarvers, Inc.  As a fellow woodcarver, while still active as Supreme Court Justice, he was admired for his proliferation and unique style of wood carving.  He called it "enhancing nature".


See his obituary at:
 https://www.argusleader.com/obituaries/sal079673 

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

In Memory of Ronald White

A lifetime member of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. has passed away. Ronald White, age 81, of Worthington, died Saturday, November 6, 2021.  Before his battle against cancer, he regularly made the trip from his home in Ellsworth, MN, to attend our monthly Third Saturday meetings.  His versatile talent in woodworking included chain saw carving and building fascinating birdhouses.  May he rest in peace!   

See Obituary:

Ronald White Obituary (tributearchive.com)  

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

Call for Artists | 40th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show & Sale

 The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University is thrilled to announce the 40th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show will be held November 5-7, 2021, at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Sioux Falls.  To be considered for the 2021 show, please complete the artist questionnaire and return it to CWS no later than September 17, 2021.

Also:

Artists of the Plains:  40th Anniversary Exhibit  

September 13--November 7, 2021


Arne's Norwegian Ale Bowl will be there
along with fine art by previous Artist of the Plains exhibitors
Center for Western Studies

Fantle Building

2121 S. Summit Ave

Sioux Falls SD



Sunday, June 06, 2021

New Project for June 3rd Saturday Meeting

 Carve a spoon  by Mark Ivan Fortune featured in Woodcarving Illustrated Summer 2021, Issue #95!


See more of Mark's carvings on Facebook

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

In Memory of Rush Limbaugh

RUSH ON MT. RUSHMORE, carved in a 4x6x12 inch block of basswood for the purpose of raising money via the Red Cross for Sioux Falls area victims of the 1993 flood.  (Photo shows carving posed between a painted background and trees cut out from pages of a Nature magazine).  The project was inspired by Jeff Gould, then a popular radio broadcaster for KELO AM, where one could tune in every day since 1988 to hear Rush Limbaugh.  


Sunday, January 03, 2021

Bill Huntimer

 

BORN

September 13, 1931

DIED

December 31, 2020


We mourn the passing of our dear friend and loyal member of SDWC.  Both he and his wife Evelyn were talented club members and served respectively as Treasurer and Secretary.  Bill's service to country and community extended way beyond our woodcarving club: Over the air and far away | The American Legion.


Evelyn posted the following on FaceBook:


I am so grateful for all the kind expressions of sympathy now at the time of my husband Bill's death. He didn't really care much for Facebook or took the time to figure out a way to appreciate it. But to me it hasn't been just a gossip place, but a source of comfort at this time. Other times a place to see things that make me laugh. Even the political arguments are interesting. I didn't know Bill in his younger years. He was 49 when we met. I'm sure I missed a lot, but these last 40 years have more than made up for it. Now in the middle of the many decisions that need to be made I'll keep all the memories in my heart. He was a great man, maybe a little rough around the edges at times, but always kind to me and the children. He had a determination and drive that kept him going all these 89 years. Even through the pain of injuries and illnesses he kept going. His philosophy was that when he was sick he could work it off. Very hard for me to understand that. I'd rather just go to bed until I am well. It didn't work out so well for him this time. I guess he had to give in and go rest. A rest that he very much deserved after all he did and accomplished in this life. With God he's getting the rest, peace and happiness that he so deserves. Our family and I are going to miss him. It is a comfort to know that he is in a better place and we'll all hold these memories in our hearts. And thank you everyone for your caring expressions of sympathy. God bless you every one.

See Obituary: William Huntimer Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information (legacy.com)

Monday, May 11, 2020




An Online Conversation with Harley and Norma Refsal

Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 7:00 p.m.

Location: Online Webinar - See link below

Celebrating Norwegian Folk Art from Sámi North to Wooded South with Harley and Norma Refsal
Join Vesterheim and North House Folk School for a virtual tour of Norway as told through beautiful folk art. Guests Harley and Norma Refsal will share some favorite pieces from their personal collection and tell the stories of the lovely and diverse landscapes and history of Norway. In anticipation of the upcoming Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day) celebration, escape with us to the land of the midnight sun for the evening!
Register in advance for this webinar here!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.


https://vesterheim.org/program/celebrating-norwegian-folk-art-with-harley-and-norma-refsal/

Monday, November 11, 2019

Remembering Gene Abdallah 1936-2019


It was an honor, a privilege, and a bit of a challenge to be commissioned to carve a caricature of the late Gene Abdalla to be presented at his party for retiring as U. S. Marshal in 1994.  The assignment by former honorary member of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc., the honorable Frank Gibbs, was to show Gene attired as an old west marshal holding a hat with two bullet holes.  The end of his many years of service under President Reagan was supposedly due to shots fired by Sen. Daschle and Pres. Clinton. 

It was admittedly a boost to my ego to see glimpses of the carving on the KSFY news presentation remembering Gene Abdallah:
https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Remembering-Gene-Abdallah--564731712.html

A quote from Gene’s Obituary (well worth reading): “Former Governor Bill Janklow perhaps summed it up best when he stated: "Someday, years from now, historians will rediscover Gene Abdallah in the files. From all the official documents, they will learn a lot about him and discover both what most people know about Gene and what most people never knew about him. These historians will come to know that behind the biggest badge in South Dakota was the biggest heart in South Dakota.”
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=gene-g-abdallah&pid=194344771&fhid=18053