Catching Up Is Hard To Do .......

..... But not as hard as breaking up!
This (lame) paraphrase of Neil Sedaka's 1962 hit, "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", is sure to stir memories among most of my fellow 'geezers". For me, it makes this point; it's been a very long time since I last reached out to you all - too long for me to cover all that's happened in the meantime, so I won't try. But here are some "bullet points" (to be followed, in a week or so, by expanded information and topics:

- Chip Carving, in the Southeastern US at least, seems to be growing rapidly in terms of interest among woodcarvers and in the quality of work being done. It seems that more classes are being offered than ever!

- The Art of Woodcarving was given an impressive introduction to art lovers and supporters in and around Winston-Salem, NC, by way of an impressive gallery presentation on Woodcarving, hosted by the Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston, NC. Six woodcarvers participated in the Show that ran for about seven weeks. The Gallery was beautifully designed to display about 60 carvings.

- I completed a couple of new Ready-to-Carve designs and have posted photos and descriptions of the "blanks" as well as completed pieces, on my website at:  http://www.carolinamountainreefs.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html- Ready-to-Carve.  Please take a look and let me know what you think.

- The Woodcarving community's Fall Season of Shows and Competitions was busy and rewarding. The highlight for me was having the Chip Carved Bald Eagle, commissioned by my good friend Rollin Stickle (who showed more patience than anyone could ever expect), receive Best of Show honors in three out of four Shows entered. Thank you for your trust and your foresight, Rollin! What's next?

- New Chip Carving Classes have been scheduled to take place over the coming months. The Ready-to-Carve pieces shown below will be the projects. Please contact me directly for more details if you have an interest in taking a class.
In the spirit of brevity, here are the basics in chronological order. I'll have more details posted on my website shortly. Sample photos below:
​* May 5-6, 2018; Novice/Beginner @ Klingspor's Woodworking Shop, Fletcher (Asheville Area), NC. Four-Seasons Trivet
* June 21-23, 2018 (2.5 days); Intermd/Adv @ Charlotte Wood Carvers Club, Charlotte, NC. Tall Desk Clock or 10" Sampler Plate (student's choice)
* June 29, 30 & July 1, 2018 (2.5 days); Intermd/Adv @ Klingspor's Woodworking Shop, Fletcher (Asheville Area), NC. Tall Desk Clock or 10" Sampler Plate (student's choice)
* November 9-10, 2018; Novice/Beginner @ Sawtooth School for Visual Art, Winston, NC. Four-Seasons Trivet

Four-Seasons Trivet

Tall Desk Clock

Sampler Plate