What's going on in your shop? Show us whats going on, and talk a bit about your work!

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I got Sam the eagle done and made a base for him from some live edge curly maple and some antler. I carved faux live edge on the sides and back to match the front. I am sanding, staining, and lacquering the base and will post it finished in a few days.

I pulled out a character carving I started long ago I called Happy. He is a hobo without a care in the world. Everything makes him happy.
I started with knives and gouges. I used power carving tools today for doing the hands and face details. I will seal the wood with Aqua-Coat and lightly sand it out. Then I'll carve in the fine details and apply a natural stain.

First Happy image is how I roughed him out years ago. The others are where I stopped this afternoon.
As I look at him, I realize he resembles a famous Montana knifemaker we lost recently.