Thread: Looking fo wood carver in Logan/Southside Brisband for small pieces

maybe a photo of a example would help

Hi cldeans,
I'm sure that if you post a "reasonable" hourly rate you are prepared to pay, you will sort the wheat from the chaff,
it will also give an indication of whether you are interested in wheat or chaff,

apologies cate, if you are interested in a legitimate ,well crafted piece by an Australian craftsperson,
but understand that the process is time consuming and requires skill,
if I haven't frightened you off and you are still interested in having something made, there is no shortage of very capable craftspeople here to give you some quotes ,cheers

Originally Posted by cldeans

Hi all

I am looking for a wood carver who would be able to do a couple of small "award" type pieces of a shepherd's staff for a reasonable price.

I wonder if someone on these forums might be able to help, or might know of someone, preferably in Logan/Southside Brisbane (but not necessarily).

Thanks
Cate

Isn't a shepherd's staff called a crook, a tool used for hooking sheep? Seems to me that the best crook would be one piece. A couple of tall, strong sticks with a 180 degree bend in them, strip the bark and you'd be well on the way.

l can make one for 10$ broom stick and some fenceing wire

Originally Posted by underfoot

Hi cldeans,
I'm sure that if you post a "reasonable" hourly rate you are prepared to pay, you will sort the wheat from the chaff,
it will also give an indication of whether you are interested in wheat or chaff,

apologies cate, if you are interested in a legitimate ,well crafted piece by an Australian craftsperson,
but understand that the process is time consuming and requires skill,
if I haven't frightened you off and you are still interested in having something made, there is no shortage of very capable craftspeople here to give you some quotes ,cheers

no you haven't frightened me off. I am interested in quality, but need to have a chat with a few people here, hopefully, to get an idea of what we are looking at - I am totally ignorant as to the time it would take to do what we want... most definitely "wheat", as these pieces are to honour former leaders of our group Nevertheless, money is of course part of our consideration, as the pieces must be affordable in our (quite generous) budget.

Originally Posted by springwater

Isn't a shepherd's staff called a crook, a tool used for hooking sheep? Seems to me that the best crook would be one piece. A couple of tall, strong sticks with a 180 degree bend in them, strip the bark and you'd be well on the way.

Yes, that is what we are after.

Whether the piece included a human figurine of some representation is another consideration.

We *probably* are not looking for anything taller than 1m, and perhaps down to mantle piece size.

I know I am not being very specific, but we honestly haven't seen the type of carving we like, and have only a general idea at this point. We haven't quite decided what size, or mounting - and are looking for the creative inspiration of forum members

Originally Posted by SPIRIT

maybe a photo of a example would help

Im sure it would Unfortunately I have never seen the piece we are trying to conceive

ok ... trying to get some clarity in my thoughts, so that hopefully I can communicate more clearly...

I mentioned we *may* like a human figure holding the crook. If that were the case, the figure could be quite abstract, so that the gaze is drawn to the crook.

The entire piece does not have to be exactly reproducible, but we will probably want a couple of carvings/sculptures done now, and the ability to come back and do more similar in the future.

The piece could be standalone, mantle size, or even framed in a deep frame.

Our focus is on the crook, as a symbol of leadership.

Anyone getting any inspiration?

Originally Posted by cldeans

ok ...

Our focus is on the crook, as a symbol of leadership.

Anyone getting any inspiration?

cate, if I were approaching this as a commission, I would probably need some more information ,
for example, I'm assuming "religious leadership" from your description, but it could be business leadership or even more literally sheep farming,

if it is the former,there is a long tradition of the crook in judeo christian iconography and symbolism,
in some cases it signified an almost military style leadership of the "flock"
in some cases it symbolised a more benevolent mentorship,
in roman catholicism the crook is generally accepted as a metaphor for the leaders responsibilities to his followers.
do you see the piece as a more contemporary piece, or more traditional and formal, do you wish to portray strength and power or more quiet and contemplative, (or all of the above, it just costs more for extra nuances

unfortunately , this is where forums such as this become a bit clunky and awkward,
so perhaps if you could be a little more descriptive of the "feel" of the piece , it will provide some more inspiration.
cheers john

Originally Posted by underfoot

in some cases it symbolised a more benevolent mentorship,
in roman catholicism the crook is generally accepted as a metaphor for the leaders responsibilities to his followers.

Hi John

thanks for those questions...

It is for church leadership, although I was deliberately leaving that out as it is largely irrelevant to our purposes, and sometimes I feel that by not limiting particularly artists in this way it is possible to get new "takes" on an old theme .

The pieces are to symbolise the time spent in pastorship of our congregation, and intended to be a symbol of our thanks for their service, and a memorial for the recipient of their time in leadership.

If I had to pick a "feel" it would be mentorship, gentle, steadying guidance, and responsibility.