• From karey reese on Carving an Acanthus Leaf on a Cabriole Leg - Episode 2

    I'm enjoying the videos very much and I would also like to see how you finish the carving with the scraper and sand paper. As a beginner I believe it would be beneficial to see at what point it would be ready for a finish to be applied.

    Thank you.

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    2014/12/28 at 8:15 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving an Acanthus Leaf on a Cabriole Leg - Episode 2

      Hello Karey,
      I'll admit, I really don't like to sand (and often leave that part to the furniture maker). If I do prepare the surface for finishing, I mainly use sandpaper - about 320 grit to minimize scratch marks on the surface. Ideally, I try to get the carving to a burnished surface from the gouges and try not to touch it at all. However, there are times when tool marks will need to be "softened" with sandpaper. Just be careful - it is very easy to lose some of the crisp definition in the carving by sanding the nice, sharp corners. Only sand the surfaces to remove tool marks. Sometimes I use a small riffler file to clean up inside sharp corners. Just don't let the files scratch the surface too much.
      I will do a lesson on finishing soon, but hesitate because I certainly don't want to claim to be an "expert" on this. Maybe I'll have a special guest who knows a lot more than I do about finishing surfaces.

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      2014/12/29 at 10:54 am
  • From Richard Conner on Carving San Serif Lettering in Capitals

    Am so excited do not know where to start . I have had some success carving , just gotten my chisels commissioned.
    I will need to come to Charleston for a hands on with you some time .
    Dick Conner

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    2014/12/23 at 9:25 am
    • From Mary May on Carving San Serif Lettering in Capitals

      Hi Richard,
      Glad to hear you are excited about carving! I would definitely recommend starting with the basic projects first - just to get you started. If you jump too fast into the more difficult ones, it can get frustrating and maybe discouraging. Have fun!

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      2014/12/24 at 5:56 pm
  • From JOE LAMBERT on Carving a Philadelphia Cartouche - Episode 1

    Thanks for the Cartouche carving lesson. I am looking forward to carving this. Was hopeful that it would come out before Christmas and it did. How many sessions for this carving? Hope you have a Wonderful Christmas and a successful New year. .......Joe Lambert

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    2014/12/19 at 7:53 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Philadelphia Cartouche - Episode 1

      Hi Joe,
      The cartouche is a great project to carve - and quite a challenge. This lesson should be going through January 15 as I add a new episode each week for the next 5 weeks. Have fun carving and have a Wonderful Christmas!

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      2014/12/19 at 10:51 pm
  • From Gerry Mayberry on Carving a Large Sunburst - Episode 1

    Enjoyed to the 12:03 mark and could not get the video going again after multiple attempts. The video also stopped several times early while viewing but I was finally able to get it to go on to 12:03. Nice project, particularly for a mantle. I have a new Dell computer. I don't think the problem is with my equipment.

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    2014/12/16 at 10:00 pm
    • From Bob Easton on Carving a Large Sunburst - Episode 1

      Anyone having video problems, please use the Contact form. Be sure to include two things:

      1. The browser you are using (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome...)

      2. The results of running a network speed test at http://www.speedtest.net/

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      2014/12/17 at 5:58 am
  • From David Taylor on Carving San Serif Lettering in Capitals

    Mary,

    Beautiful work! Seemingly, looking at the end product, the sans serif would appear to be "easier" than other styles. I have done some carved lettering, though, and even sans serif can be as challenging and even more so than any other kind of intaglio work. The eye can really pick out inconsistencies with lettering (I know, the sign I finally gave my parents was the third try, and, while they approve of it, being my parents and all, I can point out many flaws in it!)

    I am curious, though about one aspect of your letter carving style. You use a gouge on outside curves, but a flat on inside curves. Is this just a personal preference? When I first learned (from some YouTube video I saw years ago) the instructor used a slightly tighter gouge on the inside than was used on the outside, and with the bevel up to cut the inside curves. Either way works, of course, straight chisel or gouge, I was just wondering how you came by your method.

    Thanks for all you do!
    David

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    2014/12/14 at 9:18 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving San Serif Lettering in Capitals

      Hi David,

      Thanks!

      That is how I generally carve letters - and it was simply the first process I learned, and became comfortable with it. Flat chisel on inside curves, curved gouge on outside curves. It is much easier for me to get a clean cut that to try to fit a curved gouge along the inside curve. It is easy for the gouge to dig into the wall, and also it is more difficult to get a clean inside corner (unless the curved gouges have a slightly rounded edge). But if you have developed a technique that works better that way - go for it! There are many ways...

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      2014/12/15 at 10:56 am
      • From David Taylor on Carving San Serif Lettering in Capitals

        Mary,

        Well, to be honest, I have only carved the one sign, and maybe it was the process of using a gouge on the inside curve that made it harder than it should be. I am putting the finishing touches on a Christmas present that I am carving a (very fancy) T on the top of for my parents, I will take the opportunity to try it with a flat chisel. I'll let you know how I get on!

        Thanks!
        David

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        2014/12/15 at 8:05 pm