Is There a World for Woodcarvers?

My father had two sons: my brother John and me. He also had three daughters—five children in total! He dreamed of at least one of us staying in the family business that he and his father built. Unfortunately, none of us really saw a life in it that we wanted. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, there was a lot I saw that I didn't like.

Number one for me was that we never had any money. Woodcarving did not seem like a profitable business from my perspective. Dad would get a job and usually get paid half or all before he started work. Then, he'd bust his butt with lots of late nights to get it done. Sometimes, this was demotivating because you get the money, spend it, then the money is gone and you're still working. I'm sure this was because he was trying to cover bills or get groceries for five kids. I wasn't a part of the finance department of the house, so I can't be sure, but I was pretty sure I didn't want to be riding so close to the line.

There was also a lot of uncertainty. Where was the work going to come from? He had a few places he could reliably make stuff for, but the stress of not knowing where the next job was coming from seemed like a lot. Later in life, I learned it was, as I worked a number of one-year contracts. When the contract comes to an end, you're scrambling to find the next one.

Now that I'm 56 having built my own career, I'd love to hit the brakes, slow it down, or pivot out of the career I've spent 28 years building. Looking at woodcarving, it seems like something that there really isn't a market for outside of a hobby. Real woodcarving craftsmanship takes time, and I can't imagine people willing to pay for that time. Back in the '80s, my father would carve a full-sized eagle wall hanging which he sold for about $1,000, which at the time, I felt was not enough. Every feather was detailed, and it was an immense amount of work. Today, that $1,000 would be worth around $3,000. However, I don't think you could survive considering how much work goes into that, so realistically, it would need to sell for around $10,000 to be worth the time that goes into it. I just can't imagine someone paying $10,000 for a life-sized wall hanging of an eagle.

It seems a woodcarver today would need a line of products they can crank out fast, much like Dad and Grandpa had with their shoes. Something they could stockpile and sell faster to allow them time to do the big things like a life-sized eagle. But then, how do you sell them? Have a showroom? Sell to furniture stores? Go to trade shows? Suddenly, the thing I want at 56 to help slow my life down seems to be pretty busy.

Even now, at 56, I'm not sure woodcarving is for me.  Are there woodcarvers out there making it work?  I'd love to hear from you.

A Shoe in St. Louis

 Marcia of St. Louis Missouri contacted me that she purchased on of the Whittlers shoes from a thrift shop.  Made back in 1974 is looks to still be in great shape.  Even still has the laces.  Thank you so much for sharing Marcia!

Carved Urns

 Towards the later part of my father's career he worked with a company making wooden coffins and urns.  Some where made specifically to not have any metal screws or fasteners and instead were made with wooden pegs and glue. Recently a friend of the family passed and they wanted her to be buried in one of these urns.  Luckily they were able to find three.  This example has a rose theme.  I'm sure Mike would be honored to know they wanted to put their loved one to rest in one of his creations, and thank you for the photos.

A Caricature, A Shoe, & More

 I've been really slacking on updating this site and I'm falling behind.  I'd like to start by thanking Myron from Montana for contacting me about some of his collection.  He was also kind enough to sent some to me. So a huge thank you for that.

My father use to carve these greatly exaggerated cowboy caricatures.  While I remember seeing them when I was young I haven't laid eye on any forever until Myron  sent this one my way.  It's named "The Salesman" and is his typical bow legged, bug eyed cowboy I remember.  He would carve them and then paint them with oil paints which seems to be holding up really well after all these years.

The show was one created by my grandfather back in 1968.  Even has a wooden description label which I've never seen before but definitely in my grandfather's handwriting.  

The last two pieces are Br'er Bear and Br'er Rabbit from the Disney film Song of the South. They have no signature which is strange and I don't recall my father or grandfather ever doing them.  I asked my mother about them as well and she doesn't recall them.  However Myron is certain they were made by them.

I'll try to get some better pics of them and post in the future.  Thanks again Myron.

Some New Shoes Emerged

It's been a quite couple years, with everyone dealing with the covid epidemic and so forth.  I hope everyone is staying safe and health.  I recently received an email from Lindsey sharing a nice story regarding a pair of shoes with an unusual signature on them.

She writes, "I have a nice story you may enjoy about what I believe are shoes carved by your father or grandfather. My grandmother passed away from cancer 2 years ago at age 93 and among her things were a pair of carved wooden shoes. She made a point of sitting my mom down and telling her their story.

My grandmother had lived in England for 10 years starting in the late 1960's and developed a very close friendship with a woman there. When she returned to the US she bought the shoes as a pair and sent one to her best friend overseas. More than 40 years later when her best friend passed away the friend's daughter carefully packed the shoe up and returned it to my grandmother to be a part of the pair again. For a long time, my own best friend was living in Germany and I had decided to mail one of the shoes to her, but then a sudden change of plans had her move back to the US before I got a chance.  I'm holding onto them for the right circumstance to separate the pair again."

What a nice story.  Exciting to hear some have traveled to Europe.  Usually my grandfather would sign his The Whittler and my father would sign his Chip.  So it's interesting so see them signed Bordwell.  First one I've seen this way.  She's shared these pictures.  Thanks Lindsey!

A Complete Pair Found in Peoria

I was contacted today be Inez who said this pair was found in Peoria Illinois.  The bottom says The Whittler '71.  Wow, 1971 pretty amazing.  So glad to see that his creations are still out there and being appreciated.  I hope you enjoy your pair of wooden shoes Inez and thank you for sharing the pictures with everyone.

Another Shoe Found in Branson Flea Market

Brian a woodcarver from the Ozarks found a shoe in a Branson flea market signed "The Whittler" and bought it.  He searched the internet and found this blog and found it was made by my grandfather.  We shared a few emails and he sent these picture over.  Thanks Brian.  I'm glad to see the blog is working.