Recent Comments

Recent Comments 2017-11-30T01:05:07+00:00

  • From Qristofer (Qris) Lewis on Starting to Carve - Beginner Lesson #2

    Hello Mary,
    What are your recommendations with regards to tools for use on very dense wood species', such as Bubinga, Zebrawood, Shedua, and Honduran Rosewood?
    Are there specific chisels to use with these species of wood, or does the technique differ in execution vs. softer woods?

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    2019/01/15 at 3:32 pm

  • From Carrie Carino on Carving a Beaded Oval Panel - Episode 2

    Hi Mary, this is another great lesson! Now that I've felt the ripping and I can understand why you don't care so much for carving poplar, are there any other types of wood more on the "affordable" side that you would recommend? I intend to carve moldings that will be mainly gessoed, painted, and gilded, although if the wood could stain well too, that would be an added bonus for other projects.

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    2019/01/15 at 9:37 am

  • From Qristofer (Qris) Lewis on Preparing to Carve

    It is truly a privilege to be able to learn from you. Your instruction is clear, concise, and direct.
    Thank you for sharing all of your years of experience with us who are fascinated with this beautiful craft. I am very much looking forward to learning a great deal from these lessons.
    As a retiree, this is the perfect craft in which I can express my artistic statements and appreciate the relaxation and solace that this craft offers.
    Again, thank you!

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    2019/01/15 at 3:41 am

  • From Christina McGlothlin on Carving an Open Book & Rose

    Just finished this lesson. Thank you, I learned alot. I did find it challenging, but those are the best. When I repeat this lesson, as I'm apt to do, I'll do better. Now I need to decide how I'm going to display it.

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    2019/01/13 at 7:09 pm

  • From Dan Moerman on Carving a Camellia Flower - Beginner Lesson #8

    Hi all. I have some questions for Mary.

    1. Lighting. I find my hands are always blocking the light. In low relief carvings like the camelia flower, I need to see the shadows. What do you do for lighting??

    2. Cleanup. I notice that you frequently blow off the chips. When I do that, they end up all over the place. Do you cleanup before or after a session?

    3. Starting a session. Seems to me I heard you say you sharpen your tools before you start. But as a novice, I don't know which tools I'm going to use. I don't have a fractions of the tools you have, but if I sharpened all of them, even just a honing, it would be time to prepare dinner. Is it reasonable/efficient to sharpen as you pick up a new tool?

    4. btw, this is a lot of fun!!!

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    2019/01/06 at 5:47 pm

    • From MaryMay on Carving a Camellia Flower - Beginner Lesson #8

      Hi dan, in answer to your questions:
      1. I try to have side lighting on my bench to show shadows. A small table lamp works.
      2. :)) I wish I was that disciplined. Maybe I like the clutter, but I don't get too stressed about the cleanliness of my shop. Maybe I need an apprentice to clean my shop every evening...
      3. I don't sharpen all my tools before each lesson, but strop them on the leather if necessary. With each lesson I show what tools I use at the beginning, so hopefully that will narrow it down. I also really try and limit the gouges I use in a lesson to the bare minimum.
      4. Great!!

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      2019/01/10 at 9:40 am
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