Will Carve for Hershey’s
by Jim McGuire
Judges Notes:
Jim McGuire created a wonderfully functional and attractive piece. While the carving is painted with opaque paints, it still looks carved. The Hershey’s kisses tucked into Santa’s sack is a nice touch, but the overall pose would have benefited from a bit of implied movement.
This is the second year in a row that Jim McGuire of Wilson, N.C., took home an honorable mention. The piece, which measures 7″ by 10″ by 14″, was finished with acrylic paints. Jim carved the separate base, which doubles as a candy dish, from a piece of walnut left over from a recent coffee-table project. Jim saw a homeless person holding a sign that said “Will work for food.” That image, and the fact that he used to live in Hershey, PA, was his inspiration.
Jim McGuire’s Honorable Mention prize package is valued at $300
- $50 Christian J. Hummul Gift Certificate
- $25 K. V. Woodcarving Supply Gift Certificate
- Flexcut/Smoky Mountain Palm Carving Set from Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Supply
- $75 Thompson’s Woodcarving Gift Certificate
- $50 Fox Chapel Publishing Gift Certificate
- Woodcarving Illustrated T-Shirt
Santa Caught by Child
by Audrey Mutschelknaus
Judges Notes:
Audrey Mutschelknaus spent considerable time making sure her carving told a rich and detailed story. Appropriate props support both the indoor and the outdoor scenes. Santa should be sporting a more surprised expression for his current predicament.
The piece, carved from basswood and cottonwood bark, measures 9½” by 8″ by 9½”. It was finished with acrylic paints. Audrey Mutschelknaus of Hoskins, Nebr., was inspired by the way her children always tried to look out the windows for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Audrey Mutschelknaus’ Honorable Mention prize package is valued at $300
- $50 Christian J. Hummul Gift Certificate
- $25 K. V. Woodcarving Supply Gift Certificate
- Flexcut Combo Tool Set from The Woodcraft Shop
- $50 Fox Chapel Publishing Gift Certificate
- Woodcarving Illustrated T-Shirt
SC and the K9s
by Sandy Smith
Judges Notes:
Sandy Smith filled her carving with action. You immediately get the impression of a happy, tune-filled moment in Santa’s life. Sandy’s attention to detail is evident. The texturing and painting is well done. Santa seems to be executed with more precision than the dogs.
This is the third year in a row that Sandy Smith of Lakeview, Ark., has earned an honorable mention. The piece, carved from basswood, measures 11″ by 11½ “by 11½ “. It was finished with acrylic paints. Sandy was inspired by a mental image of Santa playing the piano.
Sandy Smith’s Honorable Mention prize package is valued at $300
- $50 Christian J. Hummul Gift Certificate
- $25 K. V. Woodcarving Supply Gift Certificate
- Two Cherries Carving Tools set and sharpening DVD from Robert Larson Company
- Bobby Swain Knife from Knotts Knives
- $25 Boxes-N-Such Gift Certificate and Medium Book Box
- $50 Fox Chapel Publishing Gift Certificate
- Woodcarving Illustrated T-Shirt
