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How long will it take to receive my order?
Where can I buy one of these amazing sculptures?
Most of our ready-made offerings (Stump Bears, 12" owls, etc...) are available through the Etsy link at the top of this page. For custom orders or variations on ready-made items (sizes, colors, pose, etc...), just message us and we will work with you on customizing your order.
"If you rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles." - Miracle Max, The Princess Bride
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There are a lot of variables to consider, but you should expect to receive your order within 30 days. Folks in the Dayton, Ohio area who order things like OSU Os or small bears/birds may only wait a couple of days. People living farther away and ordering larger, more unique pieces should expect to wait a bit longer. Besides delivery/shipping time, I have to source the correct size/shape log for your piece, the weather/humidity has to be right for me to apply the varnish, and adding more detail/features simply takes more time. All that said, message me if you are hoping to meet a certain delivery date for a birthday/retirement/etc, and I'll work with you to find a solution.
Do you deliver?
I am currently able to deliver or meet up with folks in the Dayton, Ohio area for an additional fee. Dayton is a large area, so the fee amount depends on the travel distance, the size of the piece, and the care required for it. A small Bear-in-Stump fits in my car, whereas a six-foot gargoyle will require our trailer and extra handling/lifting. We'll discuss delivery while coordinating on your piece so we can find a reasonable solution for both parties.
How do you determine your pricing?
We base our pricing on the time spent working on a given piece. The classic Bear-in-Stump sells for roughly $50 at every craft fair and hometown festival across the U.S. If I've had my coffee and my chain stays sharp, I can make two of them in about an hour. That means that for every hour I spend on a unique, custom piece, I could have been carving two $50 bears that are always popular. I also have to consider the time/cost of sourcing the logs, the overhead of equipment/tools, and other considerations.
Can you recreate subjects from pictures I've taken or found online?
Yes...kinda. I don't usually care for how sculptors, tattoo artists, painters, etc recreate real subjects. There is usually something off with the eyes, the teeth, or some small feature that just doesn't capture the essence of the subject. I would hate to give you a product that isn't quite right, and I'd prefer not to waste effort on a piece you ultimately decide not to accept. Instead, I prefer to work with you on making a piece that will "represent" your loved one or favorite pet rather than accurately recreating them. For instance, instead of trying to memorialize my German Shepherd, Charlie, with his soft fur and gentle demeanor, I plan to carve a life-sized, but generalized German Shepherd that will represent him. The log I use might not lend to a "soft fur" look, or there might be a distracting knot/burr in the face, or any number of other tiny flaws that keep it from being MY Charlie, but it will still be an awesome piece and will serve as a great reminder of my buddy.
Why do some carvings have a line cut down the back?
You may notice that some of our carvings have a straight line cut down their back/rear sides. These are known as "relief split," and are used to relieve some of the tension between the fibers of the log as the wood dries. This should slow or prevent any natural splits from running rampant across the piece.
How can I keep my piece from splitting?
Splitting is a natural part of wood's drying process. Each ring dries and shrinks at different rates, which causes tension, which causes splits. It even happens to the pieces I keep for myself. Keeping a piece indoors may lead to more splitting due to the dryness within your home compared to the outside world, but as long as you are comfortable with your piece having a little extra character, feel free to display it wherever you want. I recommend against filling the cracks because if the cracks widen they look even worse with cracked glue/filler in the spaces. That said, if a piece you've bought from us incurs severe splitting, send me pics and we will see if there is anything we can do.
Aftercare? Indoor/outdoor? Longevity?
You should be able to enjoy your hand-carved sculpture for several decades with minimal maintenance. Your piece will come with a coat or two of varnish, but we recommend you apply linseed oil or a deck/porch treatment annually. Pieces can be displayed indoors, but they will resist splitting better and last longer if kept outside, out of direct heat/sunlight. Inside or outside, be sure to raise your piece just enough to allow air to flow and moisture to wick from the base of the piece (which is not treated).