SCAWC Newsletter

Our 15th annual show is scheduled on Sept 18th and 19th at the St. Peters Community and Art Center. The show is open to all woodcarvers and vendors. It is presented to provide a public learning experience, to encourage the further pursuit of our art form, and to provide the opportunity for fellowship with fellow woodworkers. Applications and additional information on the show may be obtained by contacting: Charles W. Sapp; 771 Meadow Cliff Drive; St. Charles, MO 63303 or calling 636-928-0149 or emailing Charlie at charles@thesapps.com. Please continue to post our flyers of the show and forward the email flyer to all your friends and family.

Carvers that are working on the friendship cane are asked to have at least 8 completed by the first meeting in September so the canes can be displayed at the annual show. There are nine carvers participating so you will need 8 carvings to trade. Rather than shorten the cane, you can fill in the remaining spots with your work until others get theirs completed to trade.

The John Engler seminar is Nov 19-21, 2004. The cost is $75 + blanks. The roster is quickly filling up so if you are interested, contact Pres. Mitchell.

The O'Fallon festival is October 9th. The Club will pay for the tent rental. Members may have to provide their own table depending on what is available from O'Fallon. Let Pres. Mitchell know if you are interested in hosting a table.

Charlie Mitchell and Charlie Sapp will be offering carving classes at the St. Peters Community and Art Center this fall for beginners and intermediate carvers. If you know of anyone that is interested have them contact the Art Center or one of the Charlie's.

Several of our members went to Doane for a week of carving. John Bouchillon, Don & Dee Kley brought in their projects for show and tell; they are displayed below.

Although I did not get to attend Doane this year, I did have some carving experiences on my vacation this year. While touring Grandfather mountain in North Carolina I saw a sign in the gift shop that said "Tom Wolfe Carvings Upstairs". Much to my surprise Tom Wolfe was upstairs carving. We have several of his tapes and books in the club library. I never expected that Tom Wolfe would be on site.

On the way home I convinced my wife and daughter that we should cross the Smokey Mountains to find Townsend, TN. Townsend is the home of the Smokey Mountain Woodcarvers Supply and I had some flyers advertising our fall show that I wanted to leave with them. They were super people, I got to meet Beth Proffitt and Gene Webb. You can check out their web site at www.woodcarvers.com.

Walter Schmierback has the show case this month. He says it is relaxing. But I still do not see how chip carving the detail that he puts into his work can be relaxing. It is certainly precise and beautiful, check out his slipper and sewing box below.

Members quickly joined around Wilbert as he provided instructions on tool sharpening. Sharing knowledge is part of our charter. Members are anxious to learn - let's do more of this. Wilbert assures me that even though the sparks are flying he is keeping that tool cool.

Walter Schmierback

Affiliations: St. Charles Area Woodcarvers

Training: Self taught and assisted by fellow wood carvers.

Background: Grandfather was a woodcarver and Walt took it up after he retired and joined the SCAWC.

Awards: Best of Show and several blue ribbons at the Wonders of Wood Show

Interests: Chip Carving

Thoughts: Woodcarving as a hobby is relaxing and enjoyable. You also get to meet some very nice people.

When you have an item for show and tell, please get my attention before you leave (presuming that I remember to bring the camera). If you have a digital picture of your work, send it to me for publishing.

Dee Kley carved this wolf head in butternut to top off a diamond willow walking stick in a class at Doane.	Mahogany sewing box made and carved by Walter Schmierback for his wife.	Baskets weaved by Don Kley in Buck's class at Doane.


Mountain man carved by Corky from a Rex Branson roughout.	Another Doane project in shallow relief carved by John Bouchillon.	Arnold Fritz (great to have him and Joyce back at the meetings) completed a couple of Stu Martin roughouts that he started at Silver Dollar City. He used tung oil with burnt sienna for the base coat.

Relief carving by Don Kley.	Santa Claus by Dee Kley.	Russ Sears completed this relief of praying hands. It will be his donation to the fall show raffle.