Kathy Stauffer
The PebbleCreek Woodcarvers Club completed a relief carving class on Nov. 25. Class members were Alan Collinsworth, Del Trost, Robbi Lowe, Jane Peacock, Chris Pelikan, Elaine Rajeski, and Kathy Stauffer (instructor).
A relief carving is a type of carving out of a flat panel of wood. There are four types of relief—high, bass or low, deep, and pierced—which indicate how deep the relief is. Most of the class used mainly hand tools and some used micro motors to create their piece.
We now offer two beginner classes taught by Larry Matney. The first class is a spoon carving, along with a safety class on using our large equipment (bandsaws, etc.). The second class is a Sun Maiden Kachina, which introduces pyrography (wood burning). After completing these, if you decide you like the craft, you can join the club and sign up for other classes. Other classes have included Cottonwood Wood Spirit and Chip Carving (in progress). Upcoming classes include Whimsical Cottonwood, Pacific NW Mask or Bowl, Soapstone, Acorn Woodpecker, and, new to us, Fiber Clay. For the newest carvers, we also offer mentoring. Most members have never carved before joining the club.
The Woodcarvers Club meets in the Quail Room in the Creative Arts building and holds their meetings every second Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. from October to April. Stop by to see what you can create from a block or panel of wood, and see what the members are working on now.