I have many folks as where do I come up with my carving wood supply.
The answer is everywhere!
I look for trees that need to be trimmed in my neighborhood. I have located three Butternut trees that I keep a very close eye on and if I hear a chainsaw running you bet I’ll be the good neighbor, I offered to assist when they trim those beauties.
Since I live in Indiana, Basswood trees grow everywhere. If you have a nature trail in your location take a walk, often you can find fallen limbs that can be saved from rotting away. Yes I know that the basswood that grows in Indiana is just now the same quality as what is grown in Minnesota or Wisconsin. When I want a really nice piece of straight grained basswood, I turn to a supplier from one of those states. I recommend Heinecke Wood Products because they offer a quality products and an inexpensive price. Don’t just take my word for it, check out their website at http://www.heineckewood.com.
Happy carving,
Jerry

Basswood Bellamy Styled Eagle

Wood Species: Basswood (Native Indiana)
Finish Used: Acrylic paints, Gloss Lacquer, Bees Wax
Tools Used: Bench Knife, Assorted Gouges, Power Carving Burs.

This project was found in the pages of Carving Magazine Issue#23. This pattern was modeled after the famous eagle carvings from John Haley Bellamy. » Continue reading “Bellamy Styled Eagle”

Jerry's Carving Vise

This wood carving vise was inspired by an article in Wood Carving Illustrated Issue #5, titled “Build the 1797 carvers vice” and was the winner of the 1998 Poor Man’s Contest.

I use this vise for all my “in the round” carvings, because it is inexpensive, ease of use and is portable.

Oh, and did you catch it is cheap and easy to make! » Continue reading “Jerry’s Wood Carving Vise”

Basswood Angel

Wood Species: Basswood, Butternut, Cherry, Walnut, Aspen Pine, Mahogany.
Finish Used: Gloss Lacquer
Tools Used: Bench Knife, Assorted Gouges, Power Carving Burs, Carving Vise.

This project like most of my wood carving projects was found in a Woodcarving Illustrated Holiday 2006 Issue #37 publication (Herby’s Angel). I found a roughout of this angel project can be purchased online from White River Crafts. I prefer to cut patterns using a bandsaw, but if you do not have these tools available, a rough out can be a good place to start. » Continue reading “Equality in Heaven – Angel project”

Formal Education

• Electronics Associates Degree – Glen Oaks Community College
• Firefighter I & II – Portland Fire Department
• Masters in Firefighting Tactics – State of Indiana
• Masters in Arson Investigation – State of Indiana
• Cisco Networking I & II – Adams County High School Adult Education
• MS Access 2003 – Skill Path
• Web animation with Macromedia Flash – HP Learning Center
• Network administration best practices – HP Learning Center
• Building web application with PHP and MySQL – HP Learning Center

During my 10+ years working in the IT field, I have had first hand experience with web site development & design, development of database applications, data reporting, project management, IT budget development, contact management, needs analysis, systems design, network installations and the maintenance of network systems.
» Continue reading “Skills Overview”

I started in the IT field as a part-time computer sales/repair technician on my days off as a professional firefighter. Self study activities allowed me to move into a full-time systems consulting position where I performed customer needs analysis and system designs. My continued self study activities and on the job training allowed me move into a IT Directors position and to startup my own IT management/web development business in Jay County Indiana. » Continue reading “Professional Overview”