[MJC4]

There is a huge craft fair at the county expo center about a week before Thanksgiving. Last year we went and looking at what items sold I think this one might be a decent venue to take some of my sticks. We talked to a couple vendors at the show and got a couple tips. As a vendor U need some "smalls" to sell, they pay for the booth and your bigger items make your profit

The show being Christmas themed, I have started carving some ornaments to take along with my walking sticks. I started with Santa ornaments. They are carved from a 1"x1"x4" block of basswood. I figure between taking some to the craft show and some to give away as gifts I need to carve up around 3 dozen, maybe. I better get busy! Here's the start on the first 4.

 

[norson]

I see you also got an early start by posting this EARLY in the a of the m! Good work. Nice carvings. Wish I could carve.

 

[CV3]

It is the right time to start on Christmas projects. It is only about 120 days until the shopping season gets under way. And it will take some effort to build a inventory of carvings in that time. I am planing to start on Christmas gifts soon. That is only about a dozen projects.

 

[gdenby]

I agree that having "smalls" is important. My mother sold at a local art fair, and she was determined to make at least enough to pay for the entry fee. She was a flower painter, and did huge numbers of tiny studies of one or two blossoms. She sold those for really low prices, so low some of her friends claimed she was cheating herself (and ubdercutting them, I 'spose). But she always made her entry fee, and paid for the materials,

With time, some of the tiny studies were among her best works. Little jewels.

So, go for it. I haven't reached the point where small work is easy. But, "Practice makes ..." and you may get to where you can knock 'em out.

 

[MJC4]

First batch of Santa ornaments is done. Never going to get close to the actual labor involved in a sale price. That is not the point I suppose. I really do enjoy the making of them. The Santa on the far right is made from branch trimmings from a little leaf linden (lime in the Europe). I have enough linden for two more. The rest are 1"x1"x4" basswood. Not sure I like the "rosy" red cheeks & noses. Thoughts please? Thanks for looking

Mark

 

[MJC4]

Yep I don't like the "rosy" Red cheeks and noses. Red noses look like clowns and the red cheeks are too bright. Painting over the noses and toning down the color of the cheeks. Will post progress later.

 

[MJC4]

Updated pic with the repaint on the noses and cheeks and a couple more whittled out. I can carve one of these little caricature Santa's in 2 1/2 hrs give or take, then figure another 1/2 hr to highlight with the burner. The most time consuming part of these guys is the paint. Can't rush the paint, especially when thinning it out to a wash or it'll bleed all over! One more piece of linden to do then I need a break from Santa. I am thinking about doing an eagle topped walking stick. Thanks for looking.

Mark

 

[MJC4]

This one started out life as a silver maple limb. After carving basswood and linden the last couple weeks I forgot how hard soft maple really is! After carving the hat, face and moustache my fingers were numb! I "cheated" a bit with the barber poled hair & beard. Cut the spirals out with a roughing knife then did the finer details with a sanding drum on the dremel. Off to the paint booth next! Thanks for looking.

 

[MJC4]

Painted and satin poly finish.

 

[MJC4]

Two more silver maple spiral beard Santas and a cotton wood snowman ornament. Ready for paint.