First Meeting of the 2018-2019 Season
September 8, 10:00am

The temperatures gauge might not be showing the end of summer, but all the back to school sales in the store seem to differ.  With the end of summer, we welcome the beginning of the 2018-2019 Club classes and meetings.  We have instructors lined up for the monthly classes, and will have a variety of projects in store for you.

If you haven’t attended our  meetings before, please consider joining us as a guest.  We usually meet the first Saturday of the month (with a few exceptions – like September).  The full schedule can be found here.  We are a friendly bunch ranging from those that just recently picked up a carving knife to members whose carving experience extends through the decades.  No matter our experience level, we look forward to sharing and learning from one another.

 September Class
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Maynard Hemmah will be teaching how to carve a male or female figure out of basswood.  The carving will be in the flat plane style.  We will not be painting the carving in class.  You will have some choice as to which figure you do, and extra blanks will be available.

Maynard has been a frequent instructor for our club classes and has many years of carving experience to draw from.  If you get a chance ask to see his photo album of his work.

Class will run from 9 am to 4 pm with a break at 10 for the club meeting which you are invited to attend.  Lunch is not provided but you may bring a sack lunch or there are many venues available in the area.

Tools needed: Safety glove and thumb guard, carving knife, small gouge, small v-tool.  There will be a limited number of tools available to borrow if needed.

Fees:     $30.00 paid to the Red River Valley Woodcarvers (RRVWC)
The material fee depends on the blank chosen and is paid to the instructor

Click here for printable registration form.

Our club has been invited to display at the Red River Zoo on Saturday Sept. 22 2018.  The time is 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, they have tables and chairs we can use.  The cost of the Carousal building is free and admission for the persons displaying is also free.  This is a great opportunity for our club to get out in front of the public.  We should plan on having a club table with information on what we do.  Offer the Saturday classes we have scheduled for this year and get some non-club students.  We should think about having a beginning carving class offering this fall. 

This is a great opportunity for our club and we need to put on a good showing.  We need all to participate and fill the carousal building with carvings.  Our cost is free  all we need is to show up, but you must signup before hand.  I don’t know how many tables the room will hold, so Patty and I are taking names and are hoping that everyone who wants to show can.  It is ok for Dave to offer soap carving.  And anyone who wants to sell can. 

 Let’s have a fun day and make this a big show, so big they might ask us back.  To sign up contact Patty Molm or Dick Skauge.  

 Beginner Category (0-5 Years of Experience)

1st Place – John Randash

2nd Place – Rhonda Smith

Intermediate Category (6-15 Years of Experience)

1st Place – Phyllis Rieppl

2nd Place – Bev Ashmore

Advanced Category (16+ Years of Experience)

1st Place – Bernie Davenport

2nd Place – Kenny Willits

It’s finally here!  Join us April 14-15 at the Ramada Inn, 1333 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND
Admission is $3/person, under 12 free or $7/family

There will be wood carving and wood turning on display as well as a variety of demonstrations through the weekend.

Interested in becoming a wood carver?  Sign up for the FREE adult beginning carving class being offered Saturday and Sunday morning.

May 5 – Carve Santa Ornaments with Dick Skauge

Click here for printable registration form.

Dick Skauge will be teaching how to carve a Santa face ornament.  We will use a corner of basswood, sizes will vary.  We will carve a Santa face with a cap and a lot of different types of hair.  We will use smaller hand tools.  The class will not include painting.  There is a limit of 12 students.  Class will run from 9 am to 4 pm with a break at 10 for the club meeting which you are invited to attend.  Lunch is not provided but you may bring a sack lunch or there are many venues available in the area.

Experience level: Beginner and up

Tools needed: Safety glove and thumb guard, carving knife, small gouge, small v-tool.  There will be a limited number of tools available to borrow if needed.

Fees: $30.00 paid to the Red River Valley Woodcarvers (RRVWC)
$1.00  material fee paid to the instructor – will receive 3 blanks

Class will run from 9am to 4:00pm and is limited to 12 students.  The fee is $30.00 per student payable to the Red River Valley Woodcarvers. The class materials fee of $1 to be purchased from the instructor.

Lunch will not be provided but there are many venues available in the area.

Pre-registration is required in order for In the Chips and the instructor to be prepared for the class.  Please print and mail the registration form to “In The Chips” with a $15.00 deposit to reserve your place in class.

Call 218-233-6000 or email inthechipsmn@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.

Location: “In the Chips”, 302 21^st. St. N., Moorhead, MN 56560

Many of this year’s projects can be seen at In the Chips, about 4-6 weeks prior to the scheduled class date. Registration forms are also available 4-6 weeks before the scheduled class date. Red River Valley Woodcarvers and In The Chips, LLC. are not responsible for any injuries or illness incurred relating to any class.

Adult Intro to Carving 101
Saturday 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Sunday 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Cost: FREE
Registration form (print and mail in)

We will be offering two beginning woodcarving classes for adults 18 years and older, with no carving experience.  The class will focus on carving safety, the proper use of carving tools, the intricacies of wood grain and basic knife techniques.  Tools, safety equipment and wood project cut-out will be provided.  the first class is held on Saturday April 14, and the second is held on Sunday, April 15.  Classes are limited to 12 students per class.  Students may only take one class.  Classes will be taught and staffed by experienced members of the Red River Valley Woodcarvers Club.

These classes are sponsored by the Red River Valley Woodcarvers in the hopes that others will experience the same joy of woodcarving that they have.

Beginning Youth Carving
Ages 10-17
Cost: $2
Registration form (print and mail in)

Wayne Hankel will once again be teaching this class, and former students are welcome!  The class will meet Saturday morning on April 14, 2018.  Class times will depend on number of participants and will be determined after registration closes.  Deadline for registering is April 10th.

April 14, 15. 8:00-11:00
Cost: $40.00 + blank

Registration form (print and mail in)

Learn the basics of chip carving. Practice the two positions for holding the chip carving knife and gain experience with Traditional and Old 

World cuts. Learn to design and trace chip carving patterns. included in the materials are one practice board and your choice of one Christmas ornament blank. Select from: Christmas tree, star, bell, ornament or an octagon.

Additional blanks will be available for purchase. Each participant will need to provide their own chip carving knife.

Chip carving uses different tools than the usual carving tools. Pictured below are chip carving knives.

April 14, 15. 8:00-11:00
Cost: $40.00 + blank

Registration form (print and mail in)

Students will carve a bald eagle head in high relief style from a basswood panel 8″ x 8″ x 3/4″ with pattern. Rick will focus on wood removal techniques to bring out the bald eagle head; then emphasis on shaping the head; and the process for undercutting to “push out” the project. Students will finish the project on their own time, and various finishes will be discussed.

Tools required: assortment of palm or long handled tools, including a knife and at least a 1/2″ #3 gouge. Students are encouraged to bring a bench hook and glove for safety. No power tools.

Debbe Edwards is a Native American Indian sculptor from Northeast Oklahoma.  She is a member of the Cherokee Nation.  Animals have always been a  big part of her life, from raising wild animals to training and raising Quarter Horses.  She credits her grandfather for teaching her respect, patience, love, and deep insight about all animals.  Debbie began carving in 1990 and has been teaching woodcarving classes for 24 years.  Debbe has won numerous awards at Woodcarving Shows and Fine Art Shows.   You can view some of her work at www.debbeedwards.com

Debbe’s classes are a learning opportunity combined with the fun of carving a realistic animal. Her classes focus on the anatomy of the animal, muscle structure, hair movement and painting to create the realism that Debbe is known for. Much attention is also given to expression, thus putting life into the animal’s eyes. Debbe teaches through a combination of group discussion and individual instruction.

Suggested tools for both classes: safety glove, knife, #3 and #5 gouges, 1/2″ and 1/4″ U gouges, veiners in sizes 3/16″, 1 mm, and 2 mm and a wood burner if you have one.

Debbe Edwards’ classes are being subsidized in part with grant monies made possible by the North Dakota Council on the Arts.  This is an incredible opportunity to be able to work with a nationally known artist at these reduced prices.

Registration form (print and mail in)

Class Project: Rabbit
April 13, 14, 15; Friday 9:00-5:00, Saturday and Sunday 8:00-11:00
Cost: $100.00 + blank ($19)

Class Project: Snow Leopard
April 16, 17; 9:00-5:00 with break for lunch
Cost: $100.00 + blank ($24)

This class is held at “In the Chips” 303 N. 21st St, Moorhead, MN