Merryl Bustin Woodcarving

Wow, it’s been awhile! Sorry about that.  After the marathon-like carving sessions back in the fall I took a long break after the holidays.  A self-imposed hiatus as it were. A time where I would only venture down to the carving corner of the basement to look at the tools, sharpen those that needed it, organize (clean up) a bit, and otherwise try to find some inspiration for the next project or projects. I guess I wasn’t thinking of the cold winter months that lay ahead when I finally settled on this project.

No, my mind was miles and months away, to a streamside where you only hear the rush of the current fed waters. A magical place where one pits fur and feather against the mighty.  Living within an hour of the world famous Margaree River you’d think I’d be rather rabid about fly fishing for the king of all freahwater sports fish – the Atlantic Salmon.  I admit I was once for a short time, but life sort of gets in the way sometimes of such haughty endeavours. But I promised myself that I would return in the future.

Maybe this is as close to that promise as I’ll get, who knows!  In any event, I surely was carried away like a dry fly on a run while I was creating this lucky fellow. Looks about a 20 pounder to me!!  One he will surely release back to the river in short time, or will he??  I will let you decide what his future moves are.

I hope you enjoy the Salmon Angler.  It was a fun project, not only in the carving but the fashioning of the detail pieces as well.  These pics show the carving without the base, which is a simple rounded block of cherry wood. That will be added as soon as the varnish dries.

So here’s hoping for an early spring that will see us all on the rivers and lakes soon. Which now reminds me to start looking through my fishing gear.  Until next time, keep the chips happening.

Tags: caricature fish, caricature fisherman, caricature salmon angler, fish carving, woodcarving
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Finally finished up the Celtic Santa! Just in time for the annual Elves Fair, which is the only local fair I’ve been taking part in for four years now.  Nope, didn’t sell him, but he got lots of wows and ahhs nonetheless. The only thing I don’t like about the fair routine is the frantic carving and painting one does during the weeks leading up to the event.  There were evenings I asked myself why! I thought it was enough to embrace this art/craft just for the pleasure and the odd challenges it provides. It’s not like carving for a competition, where one is constantly striving to improve technique and stretching creativity. This was just a factory-like crank ‘em out as fast as one can to build up a suitable inventory. Interesting.

Now that I’m in the aftermath stage, it’s hard to find motivation to pick up a tool!  Not that the fair was a bust, however the crowds didn’t show up like other years and I think the general economy has a lot to do with that. The rural areas are struggling it seems with little or no heavy industry in the area, and the tourist season is behind us so it all leads to flatter sales.

So, at least now is a good time to clean up the shop area, locate all the tools that have been scattered about and get ready for the next project. I have no clue as to what it might be at this time. In any event, you will see below the final finished Santa. Hope you like him! Til next time, keep the chips happening.

That's "Merry Christmas" is Scottish Gaelic on the base

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Its that time again!  Madly carving up a storm these days, getting ready for that one annual craft sale I attend in my local area.  I’m behind this year, and the inventory will be scant.  I try to carve one ornament, or pin,  each evening. So far it hasn’t worked out that way, but I try.

Been doing up some new items, at least for me anyways – bottlestoppers.  I have three made so far, two santas and a moose!  Don’t know what I will do with the last two corks, maybe snowmen. I’m hoping they will be an easy sell. Of course, I am hoping all will be easy sellers, but with the economy and the general employment malaise in these parts of rural NS, it’s tough.  One of the most frustrating things is coming up with fair prices  for the pieces.  Over the nine or so years I’ve been carving, and the five or six years I’ve been lucky enough to sell things, I am convinced hobby carvers like myself will never get rich in this venture.

But while money is not the driving force behind the craft, at least for me, it would be nice to at least break even. Let’s do some quick figuring. A block of basswood 4 inches thick by 8 inches wide and 16 inches long costs about $25.00.  But the store is, for me, 3 1/2 hours one way from home. Thats adds considerably to the cost.  So lets say the costs just doubled for the wood – $50.00.  Out of that block I can get 16- 2x2x6 pieces and 8- 2x2x4 pieces for a total of 24 units.  Lets say I go into a new production speed mode and can crank out an ornament in 5 hours total, painting included. Thats a total of 120 hours.  Minimum wage here just broke at $10/hr., but I’m going to do the calculations at less than that because you can do that when self employed – lets say $8.  So the total labour charges come to $960. I will include into the labour the additional ancillary costs for electricity, paints, brushes, pinbacks,  sandpaper, etc etc.

So the costs associated with my 24 units is 50+960= $1010, or 42.08 per unit average.  Fat chance getting that much locally.  So the result is you’d better be doing this carving stuff out of love, or else lower your labour rate to $2/hr and be happy with that.  I enjoy carving for the challenges and the me time it provides. The rest is gravy.  Hats off to the pros who somehow do eek out a living from the craft.

In any event, I will offer here a sneak peek at one figure that’s been getting some attention lately at the workbench – my first Celtic Santa! He’s far from complete, but a little each day gets him closer. The hard part will be finding the tartan paint for his kilt!!  Any suggestions?  Enjoy the picture, let me know what you think! Til next time, keep the chips happening.

Celtic Santa

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Hi folks. The summer we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. The past 10 days have been wonderful. All it took was Hurricane Irene, which was really a non-event here in Cape Breton, to change the air patterns.  We’ve been bathed in sunlight ever since she swept by, leaving some magnificent days and cool overnights. I hope it holds until January! Perhaps that’s asking for too much, but no harm in dreaming.

Not a week went by from delivering the finished cane (last post) that I had orders for two more. That’s the way it is sometimes, I guess.  The customer wanted something similar, but was open to a few diversions.  First off I wanted to check on my supply of suitable maple wood for the handles. I knew I had at least one block remaining, and was hoping for two.  With a slight adjustment in handle styles, I did manage to forge out two blanks. The photos below will show the results.

Shaft material was poplar once again, from my stack of winter cut blanks now dried and ready for working.  The customer wanted similar shaft ends as the last project.  Now I know there are ends available commercially which are composed of a rubber foot which, when removed expose a steel spike, presumably for ice or rocky terrain.  Well, not having access to those stores nearby, and with the alternative being expensive mail order, I thought long and hard for a simpler, less expensive, and readily available solution.

I was once an avid archer and bowhunter. Although my prowess with bent wood and dime store arrows was never of olympic proportions, I knew enough about modern archery gear to think about field points and their glue in adapters. Hence a search at the local Wally World store where I came upon a dozen 125gr. screw-in steel field points for about ten bucks.  I stopped at an archery supply store and came home with a handful of inserts for the cost of xl double-double!  A few appropriately sized drill holes later, some 2 part epoxy mix and my solution was found.  As I usually fix a rubber foot to all my canes and walking sticks, I merely had to cut a hole to have the point of the steel to have it protrude about 1cm. For summer use, take off the rubber foot, unscrew the point and replace with a regular foot. Total costs are less than $3.00 per cane for the whole setup.  Not bad ingenuity.

I took a few photos of the results.  This idea will work well in providing some grip on icy sidewalks or roads.  I am anxious to try this method out on a hiking staff.  So, it just goes to show there are solutions and alternatives to problems one encounters even when carving up some wooden canes. These cane projects were fun to do.  Give one a try sometime and let me know how it turns out. Just keep the chips happening!

Two handle styles, both of bird's eye maple.

Aluminum insert epoxied in shaft end, screw-in field point, and rubber foot.

Assembled foot – ready for winter.

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Not much of a summer we’re having in the Maritimes.  That cold front air mass just stayed and stayed for what seemed like months.  Only a handful of scattered summery type days since June really.  And more rain than we know what to do with. Maybe Mother Nature will bless us with a spectacular fall!  That would be so nice, as the autumn is my favourite time of year.

I haven’t found this weather conducive to woodcarving either. Or at least that will do for an excuse, I’m sticking to it. I did get another commission earlier this month – a carved cane.   Seems the guy wanted a cane for his wife, who is recovering from a spring surgery.  As there was nothing else on the workbench at the time I was able to start it right away. Over a few emails and design ideas, including the gentleman settling on a handle style, overall size, colour and finish, I headed to my rather small pile of suitable woods.

Unlike a walking stick, the shaft of a cane should be as straight as possible. With a walking staff you can get away with the odd crook or slight bend – adds to the character of the piece. But for a cane, especially one that will be used to assist in walking and support, you want a stout piece of hardwood that is straight so that forces on the handle are directed down  to the foot. I settled on a well seasoned piece of aspen. It is light yet sturdy enough for cane use – when dry.

I next sifted through a small pile of select sugar maple blocks, recovered from the fuelwood pile several years ago.  Now and then, a few good maple logs will be included in my annual 8 cords of firewood, which I must then cut to size and split. When I notice a piece that contains striking grain, like tiger striping or bird’s eye figure, I usually put them aside for other less consumable purposes, like cane handles. I have collected some fine, albeit small, pieces over the years, which are now dead dry. Some of those pieces have found their way into violin necks and heads, although not by my hands. I have a luthier friend who a few years back made good on my offer to pick out a few pieces of my collection.

In the pictures below you will see the progression on the handle. First draw out the shape on the block, then to the bandsaw, then the shaping and carving begins. The top of this handle is simply peppered with bird’s eye, I only wish I had taken some better quality pictures.

For even more strength, I epoxy in a piece of steel rod into the handle and at least four inches or so into the shaft. I made a spacer piece out of contrasting walnut which I think really made the piece look great. Lots of sanding on this one. Starting out with 100grit and moving down to a final ‘smooth as a baby’s butt’ 400 grade.  The customer wanted his wife’s name on the shaft as well as some sort of Celtic design, so out came the pyrography tools. Overall I was quite pleased with the piece after about ten evenings worth of work.

Just yesterday, I brought the finished cane to the folks. They were both quite impressed which made me smile.  As simply a hobby, I get enough enjoyment out of carving a piece. But to see someone else’s face light up in delight over something you created – well, that takes happy to a different place. For me, a humbling place.  I hope you enjoy the pictures and will try making a cane or a walking stick for yourselves sometime. It’s not that difficult really.

I hope the remaining summer will bring me some inspiration for more projects!  Seems the tide is out a long time now since something grabbed my attention enough to start something. Oh well, the batteries need recharging I guess. Until next time, keep the chips happening!

Almost finished handle. Look closely for the bird's eye figure along the top.

Finished cane

Tags: cane handles, carved canes, walking sticks
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Yeah, I know, it’s been a spell. But I have been busy, at least for the past month or so.  Recently got a commission for an outdoor sign.  All I got was an e-mail with the request, along with some dark photos showing a basic idea, and the wording the customer wanted.  What the heck, I thought at least I would answer the mail and see where it goes.

The client replied in a few days and it seemed we were both excited over the project!   The client, who we will call Stu, wanted a particular font for the project lettering.  My version of Word and WordPerfect didn’t employ such characters so the search was on. After some long hours on the ‘net, I was successful and downloaded Kleist-Fraktur.  First step accomplished. Then came the design, which was to be based on the Lord of the Rings’  ”The Prancing Pony” Tavern/Inn.

I came up with some graphics which was well received by Stu and family.  Now we got down to the good stuff, like choice of wood, overall size, colours and finish.  I decided on some clear Eastern White Pine.  It is relatively easy to carve (compared to oak!) and is the wood of choice for N0va Scotia’s  outdoor park signs. I figured since those signs stand up well to our maritime climate, I would give it a shot.  I searched all wood outlets in my locality only to find unsuitable or knotty pieces. It took a trip to the big city (Halifax) to find what I needed.  Twelve board feet of clear pine a full 2 inches thick!  The sign was to be almost 3 feet tall and nearly 2 feet across, so that meant some glue ups to create a substantial piece to begin with.  No problem, joint the ends and use a top grade waterproof glue. Several days in the clamps and I had my piece.

And here we are – July 4th, delivery date!  Yup, lots of chips and dust later we have Stu’s sign ready with all the design features and elements, coloured and topped with several coats of marine grade spar varnish.  That should keep the weather out of it for a few years of seasonal exposure, with only minor touch-ups needed as time goes on.  It was a real fun project and one that stretched my repertoire and experiences.  I learned a good deal about sign making from this project.

Below are pictures of the finished piece, not yet in its final mount.  I plan to return to visit Stu when he’s got it up to take more pictures. Maybe by then his neighbours will get a hankerin’ for one of their own!  You never know!  I hope you enjoy the pics, feel free to ask for details through the comments here on the blog. Enjoy the summer and keep the chips happening!

3x2ft outdoor sign. Based on LOTR "Prancing Pony Tavern".

two sided sign.

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So the Nova Scotia Carving Competition and Show is in the can for another year!  It was a super event again this year with many absolutely splendid pieces. This year the NSWCAA added wildlife paintings as well and not a bad one in the bunch I might add.  All carvers and artists that entered pieces deserve much praise as it was an excellent display of talent and love of the arts they represented.

As for my success, I am pleased with the results.  Nothing earth shattering mind you, still missing out on the elusive Best of Show prizes, but I ribbonned with each of my five entries.  I only had one full bird carving this year but got to speak with the judge and he gave me some real good advice on how to improve. That’s what it’s all about for me, with little chance to learn from others on a regular basis, I rely on the annual show to put my efforts to the test of the experts.

So now what’s next?  I have a whole year to research some birds, finding and choosing ones to eventually carve out. Then there’s the habitat, pose and overall composition to think about and deliver. In the meantime, there will be other carving challenges throughout the year to come in addition to birds. I bought a book on soap carving at the show, that should help me clean up on something!!

Enjoy the pics and until next time keep the chips happening!

Second place - got a great critique from the judge. I'm pleased.

Second place for the Pine Marten

Third place for the Kestrel

Red Tailed Hawk takes a blue ribbon in pyrography!

Mantracker takes a First!!

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Since we are into spring, the singing of the morning birds got my creative juices flowing again and caused me to follow new challenges in bird carving. My research took me into the lives of Belted Kingfishers, which we have a good number of here in CB.  This bird sort of stands alone as not really what you would call a songbird, but I guess some sort of terrestrial merganser – kinda!!

Its nest is found mostly in burrows dug deep in riverside sand banks. It eats fish and invertebrates and tadpoles, so you’ll likely find one along a stream, pond or lake. I thought it would be neat to catch one just at the moment of entry into the water, in full dive mode.

The most challenging part for me was creating the habitat. I used Enviro-tex , a pourable 2 part polymer which cures to a glossy flat surface. I will admit the finished piece here came out a little dimpled and I don’t know why. Too late to fix it as the Annual Carving Show and Competition is coming up in a few days. It’s the only show I get to around these parts and this will be my fourth year of entry. Alas I have but only one bird entry, but I will add the Mantracker caricature and several of the pyrography pieces I did over the winter.  Wish me luck and hope you enjoy the pictures below. I should have some neat pictures for the next installment of the blog. Until then, keep the chips happenin’!

Just at the moment of entry!

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I know it’s been a while – the main problem with blogs I guess. If you don’t have much to show or say, the posts can be a long time between.  In any event, recently I have been working on walking sticks, which is what I did in the very beginning of my woodcarving hobby.  Every year it seems I can’t turn down the opportunity (which usually come as a commission) to create a unique stick or two.  I was blessed with such an order, not only for one, but five.  I was given a wide choice for designs, but one main theme overall – celtic.

I can do celtic!, I said to myself, and quickly delved into the world of ancient celtic motifs and of course, the Gaelic language. Sticks do not lend themselves easily to all types of carvings.  Reliefs have to be shallow, stick toppers can work but dimensions must be kept small, and with small pieces you lose in strength, which is clearly a need for any walking aid. I intend these sticks to be used, not necessarily put on display or left propped in a corner.

After much research on the internet, and with significant help from Scottish gaelic speaking friends, I jotted down some sayings and words that were short yet meaningful to the theme. I selected some carvings to do, and some designs which look great when burned onto stick shafts.  In just under a month, using evenings and a few weekends, I have completed the task.

The most challenging part I found was to accurately photograph the works.  The photos must be edited in some sort of computer program to reduce the size for web use and crop the empty spaces.  I usually use Irfanview, which is actually freeware and real easy to use – does most of what I need to do.  I thought this time to venture further and create collages, one for each stick, for use here on the blog. We will see how successful it is.  Below are images of the completed sticks, with a description of each. Let me know what you think, and if this is the best way to demonstrate walking sticks and their detailing. Leave a comment or concern as always, and keep the chips happening!

Walking stick with Celtic Cross and basic knot design

Designed after the famous Scottish Claymore Sword

Trinity Knot relief carving, and Nova Scotia in Gaelic

Gaelic sayings adorn this styled hand grip stick

Cape Breton, with the Scottish Thistle in silver and gold.

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It seems this year the carving tools are staying untouched until I get this burning bug done with.  The only things I seem to want to work on is more pyrography.  I’ve even ventured into new burning media – paper! Yes, you can create successful burns on a variety of surfaces, even paper.

Burning on paper is somewhat different than wood I found. The tips have to be real hot and each will texture differently than on wood. I’m using watercolour paper, 140 lb stock. (thats real stiff paper) But here I go talking like an expert and in reality, I’ve done only one paper piece to date.  Sheesh!!

In any event, the pics below are my January pieces so far.  With more winter storms ahead, there will be lots of time to create more, and I promise to get back into carving wood soon. Heck, the competition is only 4 months away! I have a radical bird carving idea in mind, but I’ll keep it to myself for now, but stay tuned to the blog and I might just do a series showing progress as-it-happens, much like the eagle project of last summer!

This first picture is on a loon and it’s done on birch plywood. Hope you like it.

Pyrographed Loon on birch plywood.

This Kestrel is done on paper, as explained above. Came out not too bad I think.

American Kestrel burned on paper.

If you have any comments or critiques, feel free to leave them on this blog.  Have a safe winter, and keep the chips happening!

Tags: paper pyrography, pyrography, wood burning
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