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Member ProfileSubmitted by Fran Courteau Many people in the Minnesota Wood Carvers Association have helped me become a carver. The best of the teachers is Willard Bondhus. Will was my first teacher over 25 years ago. His was the most comprehensive class that I have seen. He taught both whittling and carving. The eight classes had us carving a snake, a standing weasel, a chain, a duck decoy, a relief, a bust of a round-cheeked man, and a marquetry. He introduced us to different forms of caning. Will taught how to use tools and why (the history) of tools and styles. Will, along with Jim Beving, authored a book on teaching that is available in good book stores. This book covers many things including why diflèrent people take classes and how to handle each type. Will is the person who taught me that there are many, many facets to carving and to be unafraid to tackle anything. Willard Bondhus is qualified to teach anything because he has devoted his life to the learning of wood use in its many different ways. In addition to his woodcarving classes, he has also taught wood turning and marquetry. He has taught in many places in Minnesota and other states, also London University in England. Will Bondhus was the driving three that started the Minnesota Wood Carvers Association. He gathered together about 30 carvers and cajoled, begged, led, pushed, and inspired them into becoming the first MWCK His exanwle started all the other chapters in the state. He lad much help but without him the club would have darted tinny years later, if at all. He was the editor ofthe Carver’s News for 17 years, and this was helix. computers, so putting together the newsletter w a long task that later editors can understand (it is till a way time consuming effort). Will is spending much less time in Minneaota, but wherever he is there is sure to be a group of people interested in woodcarving close at hand. by Fran Courteau I keep a container full of sawdust to mix with epoxy or water-based glues to a thick paste to fill holes. The waterbased glues I like best are Aleene's wood glue, Aleene's tacky glue or Aleene’s fabric glue (Wal-Mart). The Aleene’s glues do not cause ehe white blush under finish as does Elmer’s. I prepare the sawdust by grabbing a clean-looking handful from under the bandsaw. The sawdust is then shaken through a tea strainer to obtain a fine powder. I have found that it will contain iron particles from the bandsaw. I keep a magnet in the sawdust and shake it to remove the iron. |
