Shoe Carving Challenge #5: Remembering...

Oct. 7/10

Today as I was carving out the toe area of my shoe (yes, it still looks like a shoe at this point!) I was contemplating what I could write about in my blog and thought that I wouldn’t have anything to say. (I know you boys are surprised at that and are probably breathing a sigh of relief as well)—but …. :)

With my Dremel in hand I started thinking of when I first bought the tool. (Note: I was thinking BETWEEN carving sections… focus, focus, focus.) Anyway, I realized that when I first bought my Dremel I was excited about the possibilities.

After a couple of little projects the Dremel pretty much sat idle, basically because the wood I had was not conducive to beginner carvers. And because of this difficulty I needed help. I searched for (and requested) tutorials and videos on carving with a Dremel. But I never found anything that was of help to me. And so my little Dremel set has sat all alone, other than the few times that I have used it for the drill press abilities for scrollsaw work.

That all seems so long ago but since I’ve only been a LumberJock for 3+ years, in the big scheme of things, three years ago is basically yesterday! So, for three years I waited.. actually forgetting about my desire to try carving things with the Dremel. And then along comes Jordan who proposes offering a carving class. I threw my hat into the ring and have been “carving”. We started this journey a week ago but it wasn’t until today that I realized that I was fulfilling a wish! I’ve been so caught up in not letting fear stop me from doing this that I had forgotten about the joy that is part of the experience.

I think this wisdom was pointed out by a few people already—relax and have fun—but my mind was elsewhere.

And today – it’s a whole new ballgame! I’m carving. With my Dremel. And having fun. And it isn’t that difficult or frustrating. Yet.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)