Welcome to the Carvers’ Companion 2.0 and the first issue of Woodcarver Online Magazine for Year 17.
It’s been an amazing 15 years since Bill Judt published Volume 1, Issue 1 of what was then called World Wide Woodcarver Ezine. It’s been twelve years since Bill handed off the stewardship of the ezine to me, and what a ride it has been.
You will have noticed as you navigated to this page the new look of the Carvers’ Companion site in general and WOM specifically. In a project that has been underway to some degree for almost a year, we are switching the entire site to a WordPress foundation. What you see today are just the first steps; there is lots of work ahead to link the back catalogue of the last 15 years into the new format, as well as update the Resource Files and other existing elements
What does this mean for you, Gentle Reader? Well, lots of positive things:
- A more contemporary, fresh design, that is device sensing, which means it will look great on your iPad or smart phone.
- A fully searchable site, eventually including all the back issues of WOM. (This alone will be worth the work.)
- A more easily maintained and operated web site, which means more timely publication, updates and addition of new content.
- WOM contributing authors can write their articles directly into the system, have them reviewed and then published without having to write any code.
- A new publishing mode for WOM. Issues will start with one or two articles within the first several days of each publication month, with other articles following as soon as they are ready for publication.
- Eventually we will open up the WOM articles for comments and feedback.
- Improved content, such as a new section containing links to video tutorials.
- Events, Happenin’s and Going’s-on moves to it’s own page, which will be updated on an ongoing basis, rather then every two months.
I am excited about what has been accomplished, and remain undaunted about the work ahead to finish the update. (Retirement is a great stress reducer!) If you have suggestions for changes or additions to the site, comments, questions, or am interested in becoming a contributing author or sponsor, please let me know via the contact form on the About page — just click About in the top menu bar.
In closing, I must make several acknowledgements:
- First, a big thanks to Lori Corbett, our resident web and WordPress advisor and favorite geek carver & artist, without whose help this update would still be in the distant mists of time.
- Second, thanks to fellow carvers Mike Bloomquist and Doug Evans, who contribute articles, advice, and behind the scenes support. Thanks also to all the other folks who have also contributed articles, photos and advice over the years.
- Third, another major thanks to two carvers who have been in every issue of WOM for the last twelve years. “Ol’ Don” Burgdorf and Pete LeClair are tireless in their willingness to share with other carvers, which of course is the core mission of the Carvers’ Companion and drives everything we do.
- Finally, uncounted thanks to my bride of forty plus years, The Lovely Catherine, whose patience with my time at the computer, at the bench and attending to carving-related matters knows no bounds.
In this issue:
“Ol’ Don’s Drawing Table: The Pharmacist
Pete LeClair’s Bob
Photo Gallery: Winners of the CCA 2012 Caricature Carving Competition
CCA Seminar for 2013
Coming up in March/April:
IWC 2012 Report and Gallery
Words from Dan Blair
Part 5 of Finding and Collecting Cottonwood Bark by Alex Bisso
“Ol’ Don’s Drawing Table
Pete LeClair’s Project
Enjoy!
Matt Kelley
Editor/Owner
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