Carving a Comfort Bird - Fall 2022 Handworks Festival

Carving a Comfort Bird

Part 1: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1-4pm at the Wendell Gilley Museum

Part 2: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1-4pm at the Wendell Gilley Museum

Special Festival Registration Fee: $45.00 includes all materials

Carve a stylized bird – a comfort bird, sometimes called a “worry bird” – from Butternut wood using a carving knife. This beginning carving class – taught by the Wendell Gilley Museum’s master carver Steve Valleau – will cover safe knife use, sharpening and layout. All materials supplied.

About the Instructor: Steve Valleau

Steven holds a degree in biology from the University of Maine but has been carving birds since was about 11 years old. By the early 1980s, he was carving up to 200 birds a year and selling them at the Gilley’s museum store and at craft fairs. In the summer of 1985 he took a summer job teaching carving at the museum and found his place; he has been carving birds for the Gilley and teaching others the love of the craft for 37 years.

NOTE: This class takes place at the Wendell Gilley Museum.