Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to see results?

A: This is one of the great things about chip carving. With proper instruction and practice, it doesn’t take a long time to get good. In a matter of months you’ll be carving items you’ll be proud to display or give away. Other styles of carving can take years and years of practice and still produce marginal results. Not so with chip carving!

Q: Joey Bag-a-Donuts is a chip carver in my club. What makes this different?

A: I don’t know Joey, but I do know my own background and experience. As a classroom teacher for 30 years, I apply teaching skills I learned in the classroom in all of my lessons and courses. Without a systematic teaching style and a proven method, Joey might be wasting your time and not showing you how easy and fun chip carving truly is.I’ll teach you how to succeed and avoid frustration.

Q: What if it doesn’t work for me?

A: If for some reason you’re not experiencing success, I want you to reach out to me so we can talk and I can help you move forward. I’ve said for a long, long time, “I can teach anyone to chip carve”. That includes YOU! I’m only a phone call or email away. If needed, we can schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting to work out any challenges you are facing.

Q: What if I don’t have much time to spend on it right now?

A: If you can block out 15 minutes a night, 3 to 4 times during the week, that’s enough time to begin working your way through the Chip Carving Essentials Course, doing the 10-Minute Power Workout, or watching one of my videos and carving along with me. That’s not a huge time commitment to begin to learn or improve your chip carving skills.

Q: Will it be a good fit for me?

A: For whatever reason it might be, chip carving may not be the best fit for you. But you’ll never know before you try. Many people I talk to rule out even trying by saying, “I’m not patient enough” or “I could never do that” or “I’m not an artist”. All of this before even trying which is really too bad because they might change their mind if they’d give it a whirl. If you’ve gone through the Essentials Course and don’t find any joy in chip carving, you can easily cancel your membership.

Q: Why can’t I just read your book and use it to learn how to chip carve?

A: Reading my book is ONE way to learn this great craft. Combining READING with WATCHING a video and HEARING something explained and then DOING what was just taught engages 4 methods of learning. Everyone learns differently. By using as many teaching methods as possible, your chance for success increases dramatically!

Q: No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my knife as sharp as yours. What do I do?

A: I’m glad you realize how crucial it is to have a really sharp knife. As a Platinum Member you get FREE knife sharpening. (Just pay return postage) Mail me your knife and I will put a scary sharp edge on your knife. When you get your knife back you will know what a sharp knife feels like. Honing your knife on a leather strop with white/gold compound will maintain the edge on your knife for a long time. If any of your knives ever need sharpening, put this free Platinum Member service to use!

Q: What if an emergency comes up and I can’t use my membership for a month or two? 

A: Emergencies and unplanned situations happen to us all. I understand. Just give me a call and I’ll pause your membership for however long you want.

Q: I’m not very good with computers. Can I still learn from your Platinum Membership program?

A: I’ve tried to make all of the Platinum Membership materials as easy to use as possible. The Course materials and Videos all play directly on the website page. No need to go to another website. Patterns are easily downloaded individually so you can print them off at home. And the Live Webinar is held on a website that is quite easy to access. After joining a webinar for the first time you’ll see what I mean. As always, if any questions or problems come up, I’m readily available to help as needed.