- Tri-Valley Carvers Post published: April 7, 2026 Post category: Newsletters Post comments:1 Comment
From The Pres: Bob Kehl
As spring approaches, many members are considering new carvings, travel opportunities, and RV excursions. Regarding upcoming trips, although I do not have an exact count, a small group of TVC carvers will attend the Oakhurst Rendezvous once again. This marks the 17th annual event, and participants anticipate enjoying camaraderie, engaging activities, and learning innovative carving techniques. The event runs from Sunday, April 19th through the 25th; please act promptly if you wish to participate.
Final Opportunity for TVC Show Raffle Prize Contributions
Preparations for this year’s TVC show raffle are underway. Currently, featured items include a wine bottle stopper, generously donated by Bob Kehl, and a gift basket from Trader Joe’s. These prizes are ready for photography and will be showcased during demonstrations throughout the Tri-Valley area where raffle tickets will be available. If you plan to contribute to this year’s raffle, there will be one final chance in April to make a donation. Kindly inform us of your intended donations to ensure this prominent aspect of our show is well supported.
Alameda County Fair Event
The Alameda County Fair is fast approaching, and preparations are nearly complete. Please note the entry deadline is May 13th. All entries must be online. Check out the fair website for entering. We strongly encourage club members to submit more carvings for judging in order to help promote wood carving at the Fair. There are two categories for entries: Novice and Open, allowing fair competition between different skill levels. Beginners, including new club members, are encouraged to enter projects for feedback and improvement. With five distinct categories available, you can select the best fit for your submission. Outstanding carvings may also be included in the club display at the Fair. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Summer,” and the display cabinet now features movable front glass sliders. We are considering a central banner for the display, inspired by previous Pleasanton Library setups, to complement the Fair’s theme. Member input regarding decoration ideas is welcome. As always, we aim to highlight the club’s diverse wood carving talents, and all suggestions are appreciated. A sign-up sheet for wood carving and soap carving demonstrations will be available through Bob Kehl. Signing up ensures eligibility for complimentary Fair admission and parking passes and allows you to see which fellow member you’ll be working alongside. Promotional materials for our show and details about raffle prizes will also be distributed during the event.
2026 Officers. Click to see the list:
Zoom Sessions Every Monday 7-8 pm.
Shared on Zoom: pictures of Jim Planting melting “hard” Carnauba wax with a heat gun which also heats the wood for deeper penetration. And, the hot liquid wax also penetrates deeper providing a harder, sturdier, longer lasting finish.
Below is Jim’s 1st effort at carving a chain and ball. The wood is mahogany. 4 channels (the chains links) were cut using a router. Holes were drilled on 2 sides, in the area where the ball will be, using a drill press. Smaller holes were drilled alongside the chain rails. The tip of the saw shown below is placed in each hole to slowly create a slot (a link). The slots are stagger along each rail to create each individual link. A smaller sawblade is also used to cut out the wood in the “ball” area (notice the pencil line of the ball in this area). You cut out along the box line on all 4 sides and along the curve of the ball on all 4 sides. Now comes the carving.
The final step is to use your knife and gouges to finish the chain and ball. But by now, a lot of wood has been removed and time saved.
Paul Fackler turned a Christmas ornament using a pen blank. Shared at our Zoom meeting.
Senior Center – Tuesdays & Thursdays
Bob Kehl’s (Left) finished his miniature celloist which is now waiting for finishing. Fits the CCG Judging category “Little People”.
Ken Morgan (Below) showing his “Interlocking Love Spoons” diagram for a new set of Love Spoons. Ken, makes about 2-5 of these a year; as they are commissioned pieces. People use them for Anniversaries, Weddings, and other significant events. The spoons are 2 letters, usually the first letters in the first names of the recipients. The spoons are made of 2 different woods, usually a light and dark wood, and are designed to overlap each other through channels cut into each spoon (thus they interlock). They are displayed in a box (which Ken makes) which is covered with a colored cloth, beneath which is a foam form with precise recesses for the spoons to fix snuggly into. The spoons are about 10-12 inches.
Dan Roth, has finished his “Sleeping Bear Cub Stool”. The stool’s intended for his new grandson, less then 12 months, so it’s only about 6 inches high and about 12 inches in diameter. This is his second stool. The first was for his granddaughter and instead of a bear, she received a Lady Bug Stool. I think she’s about 3-4 now and uses the stool all the time. Dan hopes his new grandson will do the same with his.
Calendar of Events
| 17th Annual Oakhurst Rendezvous | April 19 – 25 |
| Sheep Shearing Day, Forest Farms Historic Park, San Ramon | April 25 |
| Alameda County Fair, Pleasanton | June 19 – July 12 |
| Pacific Flyway Show – Sacramento | July 11 – 12 |
| Tri-Valley Carvers Annual Woodcarving Show | September 12-13. Set up on September 11. |
I’d like to speak with the readers of this newsletter about the need to help out with Club activities. Hope you don’t run away when you read this, because there’s nothing negative here. In the past our newsletters had multiple contributors who provided articles, information, pictures, and other material that they thought members might be interest in.
Some of those members are not able to help as much as they used too, in fact we’ve lost several members who used to help with the newsletter. It would be a great help if each of you could remember to take a picture of what you’re carving, or have someone take a picture of you and your carving, and-or, take a picture of one of your fellow carvers and their project. Your help in providing pictures, or interesting articles, websites, etc. to the Editor would be of great value and very much appreciated.
For now, please direct anything you’d like to contribute to the newsletter to Bob Kehl, rjkehl@comcast.net or Ken Morgan morganken5775@gmail.com. They’ll review and deliver your input to those who can help make it available to your fellow carvers.
Thank you.
