• From Autumn Doucet on Carving a Shell & Acanthus Leaf Design - Episode 1

    Do you have a plaster casting available for purchase of the shell and acanthus mirror carving?

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    2013/08/18 at 5:18 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Shell & Acanthus Leaf Design - Episode 1

      Autumn,
      I did make a rubber mold of this, but will probably need to make the casting with resin so it is more stable, which will make it more expensive. It might be as much as $45 or $50 for the casting. If you're interested, let me know and I will make one.

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      2013/08/18 at 10:25 pm
  • From Michael Greenwood on Carving a Donut - Beginner Lesson #6

    Hi Mary,
    Just starting the course and really liking it.
    Question: What type or species of mahogany is best for carving?
    Thank you.
    Michael

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    2013/08/18 at 12:12 pm
    • From Mary May on Carving a Donut - Beginner Lesson #6

      Hi Michael,
      That's a tough one because I really don't purchase my own mahogany much of the time. I quite often get my wood from furniture makers that I work for and they normally try to get Honduran (which is very difficult to get these days) or African mahogany. Try not to get what is referred to as sepele, as it can be very dense and grain going in some crazy directions - switching direction about every 1/2 inch or so. African mahogany is a hit and miss - sometimes it can be very good, sometimes not. Ultimately try to be in a position where you can see the wood before purchasing it - get straight, tight grain. Hope this helps.

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      2013/08/18 at 10:32 pm
  • From Abbas Moghadam on Starting to Carve

    I would like to appreciate you for your good method in learning .For me as a beginner , watching the videos are very interesting and useful.

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    2013/08/12 at 4:50 am
  • From Abbas Moghadam on Starting to Carve - Beginner Lesson #2

    I would like to appreciate you for your good method in learning .For me as a beginner , watching the videos are very interesting and useful.

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    2013/08/12 at 4:50 am
  • From JOSEPH BRECKENRIDGE on Carving Egg & Dart Molding in Poplar

    Do you carve standing or sitting? About what height is your bench in relationship to your height? I would have sent this via email but that part of the website is not working at present.

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    2013/08/11 at 10:18 am
    • From Mary May on Carving Egg & Dart Molding in Poplar

      I generally stand while carving because of all the different angles I need to get to. Also I end up leaning into the carving quite a lot and wouldn't be able to do this as well if I were sitting. The only time I sit it if I am doing something very small and very focused (or after I had a long day of carving and am just tired). The best height of the bench for relief carving is about 2 inches below elbow height. That usually means that the standard bench height needs to be raised quite a bit, depending on your height.

      Also, thanks for letting me know about the email issue. It has been corrected.

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      2013/08/11 at 11:39 am