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MAY 2014

Membership and subscriptions Membership is on a par with last year. Thank you all for sending in your subs (keeping Bob Browne happy). There are still a few people, who we have been long standing members, that have not yet renewed their membership. Maybe no longer interested, or perhaps just an oversight. We are sending this edition of Chips to those people, but unless your subs are paid this will be the last edition you will receive. We would love to see you return to the fold.

CHIPS WEST AUSTRALIAN GUILD of WOODCARVERS Inc

From the President Hello Carvers, Welcome back from your visit to Queensland Fred and many thanks to Bob Filby for taking on the responsibility of opening and closing the shed at wandi each Monday morning. The last few weeks we have seen an increase in members attending the Wandi group and the majority have been new members joining us from Rockingham Autumn centre and some who have joined us from Tuart midweek carving group in the city. Welcome to you all. It’s great to see some new faces attending the group. At the monthly general meetings the committee tries to invent new and varied ideas to encourage a wider membership attendance from all the carving groups. Unfortunately these ideas don’t seem to be working even though we have tried to hold meetings on weekends as well as weekdays. On a positive note, we do get a regular attendance of 20 plus members when we do hold the general meetings and we are open to suggestions from you the members should you have any lightbulb moments for enhancing these meetings. It has been decided seeing as there is a lack of interest in attending a Jaques Vesery workshop due to inhibiting costs we will not require his services. I believe he may be doing a demonstration with the wood turners and we will investigate the possibility of our members attending that demonstration should it happen. Regards Ray

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Stoneville Group Who said the Stoneville group no longer exists. Well our friends up there in the Hills certainly do meet. So if you are looking for a group in that area here are the details. The group meets at Bill Marshall’s home at 7 Tassell Place Stoneville on Monday evenings, starting at 7 pm. What better place to carve timber than being surrounded by a magnificent forest. If you need more information give Bill a call on 9295 0915.

Presentation by Andre Vanne of Feathers of Australia On April 7 Andre gave a presentation of his work to quite a good gathering at Wandi. He told us about the development of his company in South Africa, and how he has ended up in Perth. He also brought along examples of his work, some of which are shown here. The work is not quite what we do as wood carvers, but impressive nevertheless. Perhaps a better name for his company would be Birds of Australia. He explained that generally the head of the bird is first made out of sculpture’s wax from which Andre makes a silicon mould. He then makes a resin head using the mould. The body of the bird is formed using tools such as sanding belts and an industrial Dremel. Then hand carving is used to form feathers if necessary, for example the tail of the duck. Finally parts of the bird are painted by Cathy Vanne using oil paint. The end result is impressive. If you want to find out more you can contact Andre on 0407087959. Or look at www.feathersaustralia.com.au

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Market Place If you have anything to do with wood carving that you wish to buy, sell, swap, or even give away you can do it in Chips. Just let Bob Tanner know and he will try to fit it into the next edition of the newsletter. Here is what you need to do-send Bob an email to barry.tanner76@yahoo.com.au or a letter to 66 Bedford Rd Ardross 6153, or give him a note. Please no telephone calls or word of mouth. Whatever form of communication you use you need to give details of the item, including price, and how the other party can contact you. The Guild would not be party to any transaction-it would be between the seller and the buyer. The wonderful world of www. Do you spend hours browsing the Internet. It can be a wonderful way of using your time, and a really good way of wasting it too. If you have come across an interesting website for things carving why not share it with fellow Guild members by letting Bob Tanner know, so that it can be publicized in Chips. As a kick off the Editor recommends Flickr and Pinterest. Smosh also has some good things from time to time. Want to make some money. Here’s a way to make a box full of money. All it needs is a block of wood, a shed load of imagination, lots of patience and a high skill level in several areas. Here is how Randall Rosenthall does it. Why not give it a go. And that’s how you do it-simple I don’t think And now for something different per Bob and Dakota Svendsen

I bet your grandkids would think this was

a lot of fun. Why not give it a go next

Halloween, or just the next time you are

eating watermelon.

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Now something to exercise the little grey cells by courtesy of Jim v Brink Answers elsewhere, but don’t cheat until you have given it a good go. Wood Show 1-3 August It’s only 3 months to the Wood Show. How are your entries shaping up? Please give some consideration to these points,

The Show looks better if we have plenty of entries.

Display items are also welcome. These are examples of wood carving you consider might interest the public, but which you do not wish to enter into the competition. They could also be items you have picked up on your travels.

Can you help at the Show-we will be looking for volunteers soon.

We like to have items for sale. We are looking for small carved items that would sell for a few dollars. Some suggestions are wood spirit key rings, fridge magnets, carved golf balls, small animals such as mice, and anything else you think would sell well. We are looking to have a Monday workshop soon to discuss and work on these items. It is proposed that these items are our gift to the Guild.

As usual we offer to sell your pieces at a small commission.

1. What tree grows nearest to the beach …………….. 2. What tree is older than most ……………… 3. What tree always has a partner ……………… 4. What is the neatest tree ……………… 5. What tree grieves the most ……………… 6. Zsa Zsa Gabor’s favourite tree ……………… 7. One half of a famous comedy duo ……………… 8. The RAAF’s favourite tree ……………… 9. What tree is reduced to nothing ………………. 10. What is the loneliest tree ………………. 11. William Tell’s favourite tree ………………. 12. The tree that bore ‘a hundred yellow ribbons’ …………… 13. Early convicts felt the wrath of this tree …………….

14. A very handy tree ……………. 15. A pronoun tree …………… 16. A tree that is ill all the time ……………. 17. A tree with a burnt bottom …………… 18. A tree with a deep voice ………….. 19. A tree to make crates from …………. 20. A tree that makes you lay your own floor coverings ……….. 21. A very regal tree ……………. 22. A tree to make cloth from …………… 23. A tree that secures the bottom of a dress ………………. 24. A tree that comes from Colorado …………….. 25. A well liked tree if it has you ……………. 26. A female tree …………………

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Not another bl***y cathedral.

Some of you would have experienced this problem. On my recent trip to Myanmar, at a place called Bagan I

experienced a version of this. There, in a space of only 40 square kilometers, there are 2500 temples. I drew the

line after we had looked at 2000 in 2 days. There was very little of interest to wood carvers at any of them.

However as wood carvers we are at an advantage. Many of the medieval cathedrals in Europe are full of

exquisite wood carvings. Perhaps not as well known are the carvings on what are known as misericords

(sometimes known as mercy seats) Before Henry V111 did his nasty work on monasteries the poor monks were

obliged to stand up during several long services each day. To make this a less painful experience the seats were

designed so that the monk could appear to be standing whilst actually being semi-seated on these mercy seats.

The wood carvers were allowed some freedom of expression with these items, with sometimes surprising results.

Some of the carving is religious, and some definitely not. Here are a few examples.

So next time you are being dragged round another bl**dy cathedral just tell your partner you are just going to

research some misericords.

Diary Dates of Guild Events for 2014

Mon 5th

May General meeting at Wandi-presentation by Terry Blenkinship

Mon 2nd

June General meeting at Wandi-presentation by Ron Jones

Mon 7th

July General meeting at Wandi

August 1 – 3 Woodshow Claremont showgrounds

Mon 1st Sept General meeting followed by chip carving for all who are interested

Mon 6th

Oct General meeting at Wandi

Mon 3rd

Nov General meeting at Wandi ----October/November we generally try

To make a trip down to Denmark to catch up with our country

Members and we are waiting for confirmation of a date from

Graham and Ingrid.

Mon 1st Dec General meeting

Dec 14th

Christmas function at Wandi Please note that this diary of events is subject to change

and we are open to suggestions

With regards to themes and workshops please let us know what interests you. We are here to please..

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Carving Groups Applecross Area: Country – Denmark Area: Meet Meet Tuesday 3:00 – 5:00pm at Denmark Visitors Centre Applecross SHS, East Entrance Contact: Graeme Rhind: 9892 3019 37 Ardessie Street, Ardross Contact: Ron Green 9330 2623 Rockingham Area: (55+ year olds) Wandi/Anketell/Canning Vale/Kwinana Meet Tuesday 9:00am to Noon Meet Monday 9:00am - Noon Rockingham Autumn Centre Wandi clubrooms McNicholl Street, Rockingham 302 De Haer Road Wandi

Contact: Karel Groeneweg 95281187 Contact: Fred Brewer 94193558 Warwick Area: Meet Friday 3:00 –5:00pm Warwick Senior High School 355 Erindale Road (North End) Contact: Vicki Nicholson 9309 2652

Answers to Jim’s quiz

Ray Carter President 94371869 7 Casella Close Wandi 6167 rayc.6@bigpond.com

Jin van Brink Secretary 95911463 24 Ninda Rd Shoalwater 6169 Jim.vanbrink@gmail.com

Bob Brown Treasurer 95939713 45 Proserpine Loop Port Kennedy 6172

bobanddee@optus.com.au

Bob Tanner Editor 93641830 66 Bedford Rd Ardross 6153 bob.tanner76@yahoo.com.au

Officers: W.A. Guild of Woodcarvers 2014

Stoneville Area

Meet 7pm

7 Tassel Place Stoneville

Contact Bill Marshall 92950915

1. Beech. 2. Elder. 3. Pear. 4. Spruce. 5. Weeping Willow. 6. Fir. 7. Laurel (and Hardy) 8. Plane. 9. Ash. 10. Pine. 11. Apple. 12. Oak. 13. Birch. 14. Palm. 15 Yew. 16. Sycamore. 17. Blackbutt. 18. Basswood. 19. Boxwood. 20. Utile. 21. Kingwood. 22. Satinwood. 23. Hemlock. 24. Aspen. 25. Pop(u)lar. 26. Olive, Cherry, Myrtle, Willow or Dragonwood !!!

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Husband of the Year-can you beat this

A politician was sitting in his office thinking “ If only I could win at the next election with a huge majority I might become a Minister, or even Prime Minister. Suddenly a voice boomed out of nowhere saying “ I am the Devil. I can make your dream come true.” The Pollie says “That’s great-what do I have to do.” The Devil said “ All you have to do is give your soul, and those of your family, to me. Then I own you, and you obey me.” The Pollie sat in deep thought for quite a while so the Devil said “Is there a problem-why do you hesitate” to which the Pollie replied “ I’m just trying to work out what the catch is”. One from the slightly- rude box It’s when you notice a mosquito landing on your testicles that you realize that some problems cannot be solved by violence. True- more people in New Zealand die whilst playing lawn bowls than when scuba diving.

West Australian Guild of Woodcarvers website

http://woodcarverswa.wandiprogress.org/

Only joking!

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