CLUBS
AYCOCK
FUNERAL HOME
BYRD, YOUNG AND PRILL CHAPEL 772-879-9300
Leroy Johnson, a wildlife carver, was invited to join the club by a neighbor.
He favors wolves, bears, and large game animals.
Good hand tools are essential, which can be acquired
gradually. A basic set of gouges, carving knives, a V tool,
coping saw, chisels, sharpening stone, Kevlar glove, thumb
guard and a carver’s mallet will fill your carryall. The need
for eye, hand and respiratory protection is critical if you want
to use power carving tools. Selecting a style or area of interest
and honing in – whether it is relief, caricature or carving love
spoons – is up to you.
First rule of thumb: Protect your hands and fingers. A Kevlar
glove and friction tape are essential accessories because
they protect fingers from the knick of a knife or chisel.
Getting to know your wood is just as important as having the
right tools. Softwoods like butternut, pine or basswood work
well for small beginner projects.
LOVE OF WOOD
Club president Keith Jones says that his industrial arts class
in high school launched a lifelong love of wood. His interest
lies with canes for veterans and a little bit of everything.
“We gave 50 canes to Purple Heart vets,” Jones says. “A
handful of carvers make them. We are growing the membership
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through our show and public outreaches.”
The woodcarvers return to Langford Park in Rio for their
February show. The two-day event features demonstrations
by carvers and turners. A premier exhibit and sale since 1986,
it is one of the largest woodcarving expos on Florida’s east
coast. As the show grew over the years, the club moved locations
to accommodate the crowds.
The 34th annual woodcarver’s show, Artistry in Wood,
will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 10 and 11 at the Vince
Bocchino Community Center (Langford Park, 2369 NE Dixie
Highway in the Rio area of Jensen Beach). A suggested donation
of $5 for adults will be collected at the door. Children 12
years old and younger are free.
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