My Chip Carving

Wayne Barton has this to say about My Chip Carving...
"I know you are dedicated to teaching and service to your customers."

Jerry the web developer says this...
"I want you to know that you have developed a great web site to share you passion for chip carving and I am going to add a link from my site to yours. My site is http://woodcarving.sitesby.com. The concept for my site is to be a resource to promote woodcarving and your site is for sure a great resource."

Rino understands my philosophy...
"Marty, you seem to have the philosophy that you are there to serve us lonely chippers. Which of course leads to more sales for you. I really appreciate the fact that you offer quite a few patterns and your videos are excellent. It makes it very hard for me not to send you orders."

Regarding the ceramic sharpening stones, Bill G. knows what to look for and says this...
"Hi Marty,
I got the stones and let me tell you I am not a novice when it comes to sharpening. I own a Tormek machine with all the jigs, I own Norton waterstones 220 thru 8000 grit, with a nagura stone a DMT Duo Sharp diamond stone 326/600 grit, Glass sheets with sandpaper of all grits stuck on them and lapping compounds with leather stops, I have sharpened knives, tools, chisels, planer and jointer blades, plane irons, drill bits you name it and have never gotten an edge as sweet as my carving knives using those ceramic stones. It figures I would buy them last!! As you know each medium has it's pro's and con's but the fact that these stones don't dish at all makes them capable of a perfectly straight cutting edge. Something only diamond plates come close to but they are not available in as fine a grit or at least not until just recently. I always thought of ceramics as lightweights but I was wrong and I will use them much more than any of the other methods because they are easy to setup and use with little maintenance. Thank you."

S.T. appreciates high quality plates...
"The plates you sent are very high quality and I look forward to doing business with you in the future."

Two thumbs up from Russ...
"Your 12 point rosette lesson is outstanding. I have chip carved enough to have passable technique and am always trying to improve that as well (and probably more so at this point) trying to improve my layout capabilities. No matter how many times I have read Wayne's books (and other's!) I have never been able to internalize the instructions for this basic layout. One viewing of watching you do it made it all crystallize for me. In a day in age when 98% of web content does little but sell stuff your instructional videos provide genuine value added to your store. Thanks for the service. As a result, my next chip carving related purchases will be steered in your direction."

Bob sees quality teaching...
"In my capacity as an Extension Service agent, I've been really interested in creating distance education modules since many people just can't come to a traditional face to face kind of class. So from that perspective, as well as a student, I admire your videos greatly - they are very clear and thorough, and the pace is excellent. Great job!"

Video lessons anyone? Mark says this...
"I really like your videos! I've never seen anything like chip carving before - very interesting to watch."

Therese rejuvenates me...
"Thank you, Marty. I am enjoying the patterns you generously share with me. I am a potter, by the way. Making pots are easy, sometimes boring. When glaze-firing fails, your good-work is ruined. Your patterns rejuvenate me, and I love every moment of discovering the beauty of chip carving. "

Fine Woodworking Magazine even picked up on the My Chip Carving videos...
http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=gluetube
"While browsing the woodworking category on Howcast.com, a new video sharing Web site dedicated all things how-to, we came across a series of videos by Minnesota chip carver, Marty Leenhouts, who demonstrates several technique for carving shapes and patterns on wood.
Carving is a great way to jazz up any woodworking project. It doesn't require a lot of tools and it allows you to really personalize your work. Take a look at the video above and you'll have no excuse to not try it."

Jim K. keeps me young with this comment...
"Your news letter just keeps getting better & better. Great job young man!"

Pete has this to say...
"Thanks for all the great learning helps on your web site. I got started on chip carving by down loading step by step instruction from National Woodcarving School, Inc, Canada. Your videos are much better."

Angie is so encouraging...
"I have been saving all the lessons you post on the website and I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you sharing you skills and talent freely with us."

Geri S. says...
"My husband and I both chip carve, and enjoy it as a hobby, as well as for making gifts for family and friends. Keep up the good work with your newsletters, and with your great ideas."

Jeannette is inspired...
"Dear Marty, I am very excited to get started with chip carving and very much appreciate the video classes on your site. I feel very confident that I will enjoy learning everything you have to teach. I have been wanting something like this for a long time. Thank you again."

Ray wants to advance his skills and says...
"Thank you for providing with open hands help to us new at the art of chip carving.
One year ago I put chip carving aside due to lack of tips for the trickier aspects of chip carving, like tight curves. I am only interested in high quality results so what an energizer to get some tips that raise the level of quality, ease and enjoyment of creating pleasant pieces of art and gifts.
I know hands on and visual learning with a teacher can facilitate progress, thanks for that offer too."

And there's more to come...stay tuned!