Wood Chips
Newsletter for August 2026
Carving days: Wednesdays 10-2pm
Art & Soul, 755 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol
August 8th, Second Saturday
Greetings Fellow Carvers! It’s Fair time! The Sonoma County Fair starts on August 7th. Many of us are ready for our shifts at our demonstration table in the Garrett building which is a lot of fun, and generally generates a lot of interest in carving – hopefully we’ll get a few new members! (Incidentally, if you run into any carvers that have entered and that we don’t know, be sure to invite them to join or at least visit us.) I have all the shifts (but one) filled as of this writing. Awkwardly this year, the Fair opens at 10am on the two Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and at noon Monday through Thursday, which makes for a longer period to fill on the six weekend days. Hopefully, the folks on those days can cover it all, or stagger their start times, and take breaks separately mid shift. A potential later shift (4pm – 8pm) went essentially unfilled the last two years, so I didn’t bother to staff it, though if anyone feels eft out, or you had such a great time that you want to do more, feel free to go and carve. I may have a few passes left, but when those are gone, you’ll be on your own for getting in, (although we senior sorts go in for $5 on the first Friday.) Let me know! Thanks to all who have volunteered their time and talents. If you’re at the fair, stop by and say hello, and check out the fine work on display. We’re there every day starting at 10am or noon and finishing at 4pm. Don’t forget to pick up your pieces and prizes on Tuesday the 18th, noon – 6pm
Volunteers: as we are a demonstration table, you need to bring your tools and something(s) to carve. Also, bring some of your finished pieces that you’d like to show off. Don’t forget to raid the blank bins at A&S before your Fair shift(s). If it’s a slow time, you might get lots of carving in, or you may end up making more conversation than woodchips… be prepared.
The July Second Saturday found SCW at John Braschi’s home, and a smallish group of the usual suspects had a nice time, carving faces on fat pencils or moving ongoing pieces forward. It was a salad kind of day for the potluck, and we enjoyed a tasty variety. Thanks, John and Holly for hosting!
August Second Saturday will be August 8th, 9-1pm(ish). No project planned yet, but as always, bring your tools, something to carve and something tasty to share.
If you’re game for hosting an upcoming month, even into next year, let me know. Project ideas are always most welcome. Currently, September, October & November are available. Our December/Holiday party is already scheduled for the second Saturday in December. It will be lovely to celebrate the holidays with everyone and our significant others.
We have two new members! Wallace Washington has been carving with us for about a month and her enthusiasm is contagious. Her basic birds (penguin & hummer) have gone beyond the ordinary beginner projects, and we can expect that her child will soon be surrounded by many magical critters. David, our member at large, found her exploring the store and invited her in.
Merryll Saylan is a woodworker/turner with years of experience. She belonged to a carving group in Colorado and enjoyed the social aspects, but has mainly done power carving, so she has opted to start our beginning quartet of projects. She is interested in everything and especially pyrography. She found us via the turners’ club and our treasurer, Randy. Welcome to both!
What have folks been up to?
Ann Bruner-Welsh has 2 entries in the Fair, her lovely dreamcatcher and an eagle photograph. While in Oregon, she also recently carved a walking stick for granddaughter, Alice.
Lizzie Chaniot turned her 3rd project, the hummer in flight into grebe, landing. Impressive
Marie Hruby is ready to show off her hummer. Beautiful!
Judy Hess has eight entries in a variety of mediums, including woodcarving and pyrograph
Paul Marini is busy with his work at the wildlife museum at Petaluma H.S. Among other things he has been talking about woodcarving and demonstrating with a succession of kid groups and inspiring the next generation of woodcarvers.
Tom Babcock, recovering nicely, entered his very fine spoon.
Dick Hensley has a fine-looking gargoyle ready to go.
Dave Hensley, a first timer at the fair, entered his cheese round panda pyrography.
David Richards didn’t enter anything this year – he says that he’s either given everything away or
they’re still in progress…
Gabe Shain, has entered several carvings: the hawk, the duck, and the platapus and his felted cat and
frog as well as a few other things.
Frank Baumgardner entered his spoon, hand painted by his wife, Kathleen. “Spooning Sardines”
Joe Padilla sent me a video of his 2026 multimedia creation, a most incredible fish. Can’t wait to see it
(and him) in person!
Theda: I entered a total of ten pieces, two pyrography and the rest in assorted carving classes. My Fair themed entry, “Pinata” has been a challenge with my right arm pretty useless currently…I have made good use of my Foredom and Dremel tools. Texturing and painting (acrylic this time) were awkward, at best, but I got him turned in on time. Maybe not my best work, but I am pleased to have gotten it done
Speaking of blanks, most of us have a stash of future projects hanging out in a box somewhere… If you think that you’ll probably never get around to it, or you’re no longer interested in carving whatever, please consider refreshing the blank bins in our cabinet at the store. Someone may be inspired by something you bring in, and maybe you’ll find an exciting new project! Thanks!
Pyrography group: Six of us met on the last Saturday of July. It was a little warm in the garage, but we all made progress on our projects or started new ones. The next session will be held on August 29th , 9-11am. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP. We may skip September…
Note: This year the Makers Faire will be held in Vallejo on Mare Island, September 25 – 27th. Ken Morgan is organizing a Carving Demonstration booth, which some of us may be able to help staff with members from other clubs. Since I’ll be out of the loop this year, I’ve asked David Richards and Ann Bruner- Welch to be our point people, so talk to them if you’d like to attend. Ann, David R, Judy and I had a lot of fun last year, and it is much closer than Pleasanton, practically local!
General plea: Check your kits, please and Mark Your Tools! They all look pretty much alike and it is easy for anyone to inadvertently incorporated a stray into their kit when they clean up…These things do happen – I know of a glove that went missing for several months. Fortunately, it was marked, and there was a happy reunion, but this brings up the necessity of marking your tools, etc…
Happy Birthdays to:
Mathew Duran
Lynn Riepenhoff
Marilyn Hundley
Bryan Seale
Paul Marini
Cheryl Palmieri
Dates to remember:
August 7th -16th Sonoma County Fair
August 18th Pick up Fair entries and prizes. Noon – 6pm. Bring your claim check(s) and ID.
August 22 & 23rd , Redwood Empire Bonsai Show at the Rohnert Park Community Center, 10 am – 4pm both days
5401 Snyder Ln, RP “Explore the living art form of Bonsai”
Saturday, August 29th, Pyrography at Theda’s 9-11am. Sign up required, only 8 spaces.
September 12th Second Saturday at ??? 9am-1pm
September 12 – 13th Tri Valley Woodcarvers Show , Pleasanton
September 19 – 20th Central Coast Woodcarvers Show, Cambria
September 25-27th – 20th annual Bay Area Makers Faire on Mare Island. Big Fun!!
Next year:
April 11-17th 2027 18th annual Oakhurst Woodcarvers Rendezvous
For more information contact: Dennis Ciccarelli #209-402-3583 or [email protected]
Or Eric Jensen #559-580-7719 or [email protected]
I read somewhere recently that creating something releases Dopamine, the feel-good
hormone. That explains much…
As Always, any comments, corrections, classifieds, etc… may be directed to me at
[email protected] # (707)291-9031 or # (707)578-7710 Theda
HAPPY CARVING!!! May the Grain be with You!
Let the chips fall where they may…
A Few More Pictures
Past Issues