It was a fun night for all with bragging rights at stake. Jerry Murphy set us up to compete in a two hour carving challenge. Halloween was the theme, wood was provided and the carvers responded. The chips flew and prizes were awarded.

Featured Carvings and Meet the Members:

Gwen H. finesses her wise “men” carving, burning then painting them.

Wendy A. “in the spirit” has done some great little carvings as well as collaborating with Ted.

Bill W. it’s all in the details. Bill’s bark carvings have the tiniest most carefully carved details. He must be a chip carver at heart.

---

President’s Message

Thanks to all that came out and participated in the Halloween quick carve. It went over well I think. All seemed to enjoy themselves, at times all were consumed with what they were carving and the room was dead quiet and then all broke out in laughter. There were more chips flying than from a beaver strung out on speed and at the end of the night we were left with the largest pile of wood chips yet. 

So maybe we can have a special night another time.

JERRY MURPHY

KEEP THOSE CHIPS FLYING

---

Something of Interest: William Barsley

WILLIAM BARSLEY started carving at a young age inspired by his father who could fix anythingmaking and his mother who was an artist. He began by making gifts for family and friends.  He was increasingly fascinated by historic carving as he began carving more seriously himself in 2009. Woodcarving was no longer a hobby for him but had become a passion and in 2013 he took “a leap of faith” leaving a secure office job working for the United Nations in Rome to seek out the masterful and inspiring woodcarving seen across Europe. He documented his journey all the while honing his skills in the techniques and craftsmanship of bygone eras.

He cycled across eleven countries in six months and met hundreds of talented craftsmen. A testament to woodcarving being alive and well but leaving him far more versed in the techniques employed in Asian countries than his own U.K. Looking to right this “void” in his own self education he enrolled in and completed a three-year diploma in Historic Woodcarving and Gilding at the City and Guilds of London Art School, widely considered one of the best woodcarving courses Europe had to offer.

Since graduating, William has completed a wide range of commissions both for private individuals and prestigious institutes such as the Royal College of Arms, as well as working on large-scale restoration projects including at the Houses of Parliament.

It is also most noteworthy that in 2012, when in Calgary, he spent time carving with none other than the Calgary Carvers.

Barsley is as diverse a carver as he is educated, carving anything from sublime award winning hops to “bespoke” commissions and teaching workshops.

To see more of his work and “meet” the man himself, you can go to https://www.williambarsley.com/about-william-barsley-carving

Calcarver Family Album: A Random Sampling of Life in the Calgary Carver’s Club

Woodburning is alive and well in the club. Bill W. uses woodburning to trace the beautiful grain in a piece of bark to create abstarct art. Arezoo feathered a bird, one her first carvings.
Natasha uses her graphic design muscles and combines them with drawing skills to create a beautiful woodburning keepsake for her doctor.

Dave B’s  truly creative start to a new project. Gwen H tries a piece of exotic wood for her new project.

Lori F, prolific as ever, has multiple tiny creations under way.

Andre‘s bear gets a nose and seems to come to life and Howie C. returns to the club after a prolonged absence due to surgery. Welcome back, Howie!

Ted W. teaches Arezoo how to make feet for her bird as a finishing touch.

Ken K. motivates us all with his beautiful show and tell bandsaw box. Salvador, an aspiring new member,  shows us an amazingly skillful piece of work in progress, and around the room, we have some serious heads down work going on, including yet another prospective new member, Phil.

Special thanks this month to the ever industrious, ever-so-willing-to step up, Dave B., for his photography and reporting in my absence. Nobody makes more chips fly than this guy.

Name the Tool: Table saw Band Saw Featherboard

Name the Tool: Table saw Band Saw Featherboard

---

Help me serve you better

Send me your news and your photos! With your help, the newsletter will only get better. Please send me info on your events, news, and photos so that in upcoming issues, I can support you and keep the club updated.

If you have an idea for a story or a great article to share, send me those too.

Send your ads to create a classifieds section with woodworking supplies and equipment for sale.

I appreciate your help. Contact me here!

Mary-Leigh D.