Newbie

**pegdoll** · 10-12-2003, 03:47 PM

Hi everyone! I am a newbie to this forum. Just thought I would pop in and introduce myself. My name is Michelle and I live in Southern Cailf. I was born with saw dust in my blood. That's ok as long as it's not in my head. LOL! I do anything from handcarving to chainsaw carving and I am glad to find this forum. I was begining to think I was the only wood worker besides Norah Hall. Oops! Did I compare myself to Nora? Yikes! I hope to be as good as her someday! Here's my website. Check out the stuff I make and sell.

Blessings!
Michelle <>< http://mysite.verizon.net/res0bhtu/

**barbsiddiqui** · 10-13-2003, 08:38 AM

hello, Michelle, welcome to the forum. Nice website. I like the chainsaw work and the peg dolls. Have to admit I've never seen a 'skulls' totem before, but maybe it will scare away trespassers to your father's cabin! -Barb S.

**pegdoll** · 10-14-2003, 06:29 PM

Hi Barb! Thanks! Yes! The skull totem is a request from my father and he wants to put it outby the entrance to to cabin. Maybe that's what he had in mind. LOL!

Michelle <><

**anna (Guest)** · 10-16-2003, 11:44 AM

Cool site. I like those chainsaw bears. You are very talented. Yea, lets see the pics from the finger laceration. I work at a lumber retail store where I see men with their fingers cut off or bandaged up all the time. Not any women that I can remember.(Hmm) If more would see this then maybe they would respect their machines more. When in doubt-DON'T. If you think, this is too small to cut, then don't do it.

**Michelle (Guest)** · 10-16-2003, 01:38 PM

Well, the accident I had was my fault. A VERY stupid mistake! I removed the safety from a grinder with a disc that had a chain on it, just like a chainsaw chain. With the safty on it I couldn't get into the knooks and crannies so I removed it. BIG MISTAKE! The wood I was grinding was on a clamp. The grinder hit the clamp and bounced back and hit my knuckel. Didn't feel a thing but when I saw my finger, knew it was serious! Remember everyone, SAFETY FIRST!

To see my pics, go to the "About Me" page on my website. My son hid the pics like an easter egg but it's kind of hard to find. I'll give you a hint. Put your cursor on the F at the begining of one of the words "finger" and that should take you to it. If that dosen't work than email me and I will help you.

http://mysite.verizon.net/res0bhtu/

PS Thanks for the complements!
Michelle <><

**Bruce (Guest)** · 10-22-2003, 11:08 AM

Cool!

I drop in this web site once in a while to see what the ladies are doing (better). I LIKE the totems. You use just a chain saw to make 'em? I've been thinking of fitting my grinder with one of those chain-type blades. But what kills the fervor is:

I'm down San Diego way, and seeing someone carving logs in this part of the country is a bit "different". I mean, the only free-range wood in So.Cal. is the occasional scrawny Eucalyptus and an occasional freight pallet. So do you "import" your art medium? About the source I know is to sneak into an established part of town in the dead of night to perform a little tree trimming service. In short how to you find your logs?

One guy in Del Mar got fined $6,000 for cutting down a Torrey Pine next to his house. Whoa! $10 a board foot for pine...

**Michelle (Guest)** · 10-22-2003, 01:20 PM

Hi Bruce! Yes, I use a chainsaw with a special carving bar. Sometimes chisels and different attachments on my grinder. I know what you mean about finding decent wood. I am blessed with a father who has 20 acers in Montana and I get the logs there.

Do you no where I can get some good chunks of bass wood? I live in Westminster California.