I don't know how much this will interest folks. But a lot of pics are posted of finished calls (including by me) and not many of the sausage making. So, I thought I would post some pics of a call as it was being made. Like everyone, there were points along the way that I thought it would never turn out. And I didn't really know exactly how it would look, or whether it would turn out, until the end when it was all put together. I ruined one lid half way through when I decided I didn't like the inlays and tried to saw them out to replace them, splitting the lid. I ruined a couple of turkey carvings along the way, too. But, I learned a lot about things I'd do differently next time. So, it was worth it in that regard. I also didn't make things in quite a logical order. I sort of switched around and did things randomly to keep my interest. I don't know if this is helpful. But it always interests me to see how other people do things. And maybe it will help someone else out. Or maybe some folks with share some tips with me. My approach is by no means the best. It's just trial and error. I called this "close call" because the turkeys barley escaped the bear. But the close call was really just trying to finish this thing. And it's nowhere near as complex as some other calls that were in the show. If this post belongs elsewhere, feel free to move it (or remove it).
Roughed out bear on big block of tupelo with some walnut accents
bear after I carved some detail and painted him black. I have a book on carving that suggests painting everything black before color so no white spots show through in the end. I think it's a good idea.
finished bear
flying gobbler after I carved him but before putting his glass eyes in and painting him
belly of the gobbler
back of the gobbler
little turkey breast mount carved (I always put super glue on the delicate parts after they're carved, and it strengthens them)
turkey breast mount painted
some of the roughed out pieces before painting trying to get a look at the composition. I changed how I mounted them in the end. I really had no idea how to do it.
All the pieces painted black before color
Getting a look at the inlays before I hacked up the box.
one side of the box roughed out (I use a Fordham mostly and a GRS for fine detail)
other side of the box roughed out
the box is carved and now the birds have to be painted
the hen painted (I changed her later and kept dabbling with the paint job)
the tom painted
the bear with some feathers added
the scrimshaw pieces before inlaying
done
