Just want to wish everyone a wonderful custom carved labor day weekend! It amazes me the year is two thirds over. Before we know it we will be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, then the New Year! It continues to amaze me how fast the year flys by when you are having fun. Is anyone ready for Christmas this year? I have been thinking I would start on my Christmas list for my family and friends. At least I will start at the end of the month. LOL

I am looking forward to this month and have been for most of the year. I am scheduled to go to my first gun show. It will be held in Salt Lake City, Ut, at the South Town Expo Center. This gun show will be held on September 25 & 26, 2010. I will have about 12 guns on display and many of those guns will be for sale. This is a great opportunity to come and see for yourself what they look like in person. Not to mention placing your order for a custom carved gun stock of your own. Maybe you are interested in having a gun stock carved for someone special in your life. All of this is possible at the upcoming gun  show. The gun showis a great place to begin collecting guns. I know many gun collectors have started their collections this way. You can also pick up the newest items on the market for your guns. Have you thought of protecting your guns with a new gun safe?

Here’s wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! Please drive safe! I am looking forward to meeting you all there. Thanks for stopping by today. I do appreciate you visiting my web site. Happy carving! Deb L

After completing the ivory inlay class three weeks ago. I am finally been able to complete a custom carve  Henry .17HMR with ivory inlay on the rifle. The gun has a logo of a company with the name inlayed in ivory. The logo will be custom painted to match the company’s logo. I am very exicted to show this gun to you. There are a few steps left for me to make before the carved gun stock is complete.

The ivory inlay along with the custom carved logo gives the gun a very rich feel. At least that is how I look at it.  I will be posting pictures of this gun hopefully tomorrow, if not then by Monday.

The class I was fortuniate in taking was wonderfu. Keith Hone of Hone Studios was the teacher. This was to be his last class. I feel very lucky to have been able to be taught by one of the best master carvers in the world. Thank you Keith for all your years of hard work and dedication. You truly have inspired many people in your career. I am very grateful to have enjoyed your teachings and friendship. Thanks! Deb

As you can see the Winchester 7MM Mag I started a month ago is finally finished. The fighting elk has been custom carved on the Winchester 7mm MAG. You may remember the past posts of how I have develope this carving from start to finish. I hope you have enjoyed the process. I’m sure you can tell it is not an easy process. Still, to me it is very enjoyable.

I refinished this gun by sanding down the gun stock then resealing it. This took the majority of the scratches out of the gun. Then I carved the scene onto the gun stock. This gun has the basket weave on both sides of the grip as well as on both sides forend as well as the bottom of the forend. T0 finish the gun, I have custom painted the scene onto the gun using oil paints. It truly is a work of art. Then I have applied a coat of finish to seal everything.

I have also checked to see what year this gun was manufactured, 1970. The gun still have many years of use left. It has given me great pleasure to carve and paint this scene on this gun. Your comments are appreciated. Please feel free to leave them below.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you in person at the Cross Roads of the West Gun Show this coming September 25 & 26, 2010. The show will be held at the South Towne Expo in Salt Lake City, UT. Deb L

I have been asked many time why I chose to carve or engrave gun stocks? Instead of carving eggs, gourds, engrave on glass, etc. Well, my husband is an avid hunter. He loves guns and has aquired quite a collection. We usually go to the gun shows that are in the Salt Lake valley. One time, as we where getting out of our truck, he said to me: “Its your turn to buy something. What do you want? What kind of gun do you want to buy?” I told him, “I didn’t know.” I would look for something while where in the gun show. When we entered the gun show, I heard the wine of a dental drill. At least that is what I thought I heard. We went to that booth to see what it was. Sure enough it was a high speed pen that used dental bits. Called the Paragrave. I was allowed to try the tool. I  immediately fell in love with it. We wondered around the show for about another two hours. Came back to that same booth and purchased the tool.

Since that time I have tried my hand at engraving rocks, tile, eggs, glass, mirrors, metal and everything else I could get my hands on. In February 2009, I went to my first carving class with Dr. Lew Jensen, inventor of the Paragrave high speed pen. Again, we carved all kinds of differnet materials. Out of them all I have found I enjoy carving or sculpting wood. It is the medium I have found gives me the more enjoyment and the most challengs.

Then I asked Allen to allow me to carve on one of his guns. You can imagine what he said to that. He believed I could carve the guns. He just didn’t want me to begin on one of his guns. His collectors guns!!! NO WAY! So, he went to the local pawn shop and purchased me a Marlin 30-30 with a stainless steel barrel. The first carving I ever completed was a grizzle bear. After finishing the grizzle bear he wanted it. I told him NO. He purchased it for me and I was going to sell the gun. Now he wished he would have allowed me to carve on one of his guns. Reason being, I am quite busy now and of course his guns are the last ones on my list…

I enjoy creating custom gun stocks. Carving beautiful works of art to be handed down from generations to generations. Watching the expression of a gun owner see their prize possession again for the first time, is a real treat to me. They can not quit looking at the gun. You see, I not only carve the gun stock, I paint the sceen too. If it is necessary I will also sand the stock down and refinish it. Making the gun almost brand new again. The sky’s the limit almost.

Thanks for asking this question. I have enjoyed answering it. If you have a question about sculpting wood. Please ask your question below. I enjoy hearing from you. Deb L

While camping over the 4th of July weekend. I was able to play with my clay and develop yet another pattern for a really cool gun. The gun is a Winchester 7mm REM mag, model 70. After hearing the story behind the purchase of this gun and the time it took for the owner to purchase it. I know this gun will remain in his possession for the rest of his life and then be passed on to his children. Definately a family heirloom!

I have been itching to carve this picture for a long time now. I just hadn’t found the right gun for the picture. This old calendar photo of two bull elk fighting, intregues me. Finally, I get to carve this pattern on someone’s gun stock. I have come up with my own design using the picture as an inspiration. I believe this carving will go very well on this gun. The owner loves to hunt, especially elk. For this reason I have chosen this design.

After working the pattern in clay to determine the layers and depth of the carving. I will then carve the pattern on a sample piece of wood. Sometimes this process will take several sample carvings before I am satisfied with the end result. When the design has been carved to my satisfaction, as well as the design tweeked just right. Then, and only then, will I carve the pattern onto the gun stock. After completing the carving, the sanding process will begin. Hand painting the artwork is the final step, using oil paints and very small brushes (usually the brushes only have a few hairs in each brush). This bring the scene to life. 

Check back here often for pictures I will be posting of this gun as I complete this project. This will give you an even better idea of how I create the art for each gun and the process I use to carve it.

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please leave your thoughts below. I look forward to hearing from you. Deb L

In June of this year, I posted some before pictures of this gun. After working for over a month on this gun. It is finally finished. Each side of this gun has been carved. On the front of the gun was a medallion of a stage coach. I did not remove this. Instead I carved two trees, representing two people who have intertwined their together. I also put their names with the date their lives became one. On the reverse I put a picture of a memory the gun owner had of their past life together. You see… Pauly contracted cancer and passed away several years ago. This gun was hers, but John wanted something to remember their time together. This is the result.

Each side has been custom carved and then hand painted. I didn’t know it at the time I painted the gun., but the colors I chose are the colors of the horses each of them road. I guess there was some kind of influence there. When I John received his gun last night he stated, “This gun means a great deal to me. I will never let it leave my hands. Thank you so much.”

Calender picture

How Do I Come Up With The Design you ask. Well, I do not have an easy answer to that question. There are many ways in which I come up with my designs for a custom gun stock carving. Usually, I see a picture of something that inspires me. I might be 4 wheeling in the mountains with my husband and see a landscape I like. I will take many pictures of that scene at different angles. Other times I will have a client bring me a picture of what they would like on their gun.

Photo from client

When I have client contact me to carve a gun for them. I will talk to them and find out all I can about their likes and dislikes. This helps me design something that I’m sure they will enjoy. This is when the real process actually begins. I begin focusing on the client. Their likes and dislikes. During this process, I actually allow the gun to talk to me. I know this is kind of hokus pokus, but to me it works.

Personal drawing

Many times, in the middle of the night, an idea or design will come to me. I will have to get up and draw it out on paper. Otherwise I will not be able to go back to sleep until I get the picture out of my head. My clients and my art mean that much to me. A clients gun is very special to them. There is usually a story behind each gun. Wheather it was in the purchase of the gun or a special hunt. The gun means as much to the client as my art does to me. Even the value of a gun is increased greatly when a carving has been put on a gun. Ask any gun collector. This is what they will tell you.

I hope I have helped you understand my process of finding the design for each project. If you have any questions. Please feel free to ask me in the comment section below. Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to hearing from you. Deb L

I was approached by parents of an Eagle Scout recipient. Their son has worked so hard to achieve his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. Now with the awards night looming close. His parents have asked if I would do something special for their son. They brought me a Heritage Rough Rider .22 caliber pistol with faux pearl handles. After some major thought. I was able to come up with this idea for him. As you can see I have custom carved the barrel of the gun to acknowledge his award, along with his name. Then, on the other side, I have placed his parents sentiments. I am sure this award will be displayed proudly for all to see during his life time. He will be able to hand it down to his children. Inspiring his children to set their goals high and work for them.

Congratulation’s Dathan! We are all very proud of you!

History of the Rough Rider .22 Combo Pistol

Here is a little history I have found about this gun.

ROUGH RIDER COMBOS (22 Long Rifle and 22 Magnum).

Born of the Traditions of the Old West, the Rough Rider maintains much of the look and feel of the Legendary Single Action Army Revolver, only in a scaled down version. Chambered for the .22 LR and .22 Magnum cartridges the Rough Rider is manufactured using state-of-the-art-precision machinery that assures its accuracy and reliability. The cylinder lock up is tight and the perfect timing of the action makes for a handgun that will put its shots where you want ‘em.

The machined barrel is micro-threaded, and inserted into the frame for the optimal barrel/cylinder gap to give you maximum ammunition performance. A hammer block in the recoil shield provides extra protection and has a red dot indicator that lets you know when the gun is ready for action. A new authentic looking flat-sided hammer paired with new exotic cocobolo grips, makes this Rough Rider both functional and handsome. There are other grip materials available. For instance our Brilliant White Mother of Pearl and Elegant Black Mother of Pearl or Green Camo Laminate grips. Additional finish options include the attractive and durable Smooth Silver Satin and the deep matt black, low gloss Black Satin or Case Hardened Finish.

Ideal for hunting, plinking or western action shooting. Let the Rough Rider be your choice in a new rimfire revolver

PROUDLY MADE IN OUR USA..

All Heritage revolvers combine quality and afford ability … an American tradition

Three of my most favorite gunstocks carvings. I thought you might like another look at what I consider my favorite ones. Each is as unique as the wood itself. Each gun has its own personality, yet beautiful in its own right. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have carving them. Carving has become a real passion for me. From laying awake at night dreaming up the next project to finished design. Every part is very intriguing to me. My family tells me I’m obsessed with carving. Well, when you enjoy something, such as I enjoy carving gun stocks.  It is very easy to zone out and become obsessed with it. I hope you like the finished product as much as I do. 

By the way, I wasn’t aware there was a problem with my blog. Until I was informed the sign up button was not working. I have contacted my web tech to get it fixed. Now you can enjoy all my gunstock carving and be notified when every I post a new article or item to my blog. Just sign up to receive an email from me. I will be sending out an email giving everyone a link to the latest article or item I have posted. Just go to the bottom this blog and enter your email address. Its as simple as that. Also, please be assured I do not sell, trade or otherwise give your information away. Your email address is completely secure and will never be compromised.

I look forward to your comments. Please feel free to leave them below. Thanks and have a GREAT day! Deb Lindsay

The gun stock carving article listed below was in the Uintah Basin Standard newspaper in the Basin Life section. It is an article on me and how I do my carvings. As well as how I got started in this business. The article came out on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. I have included it here in its entirety so everyone can enjoy reading it.

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please feel free to leaving them below. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family to have a look too. Thanks again, Deb Lindsay

Boneta artist’s creativity spans from guns to glass

By Cheryl Mecham, Uintah Basin Standard

The first carving Deb Lindsay took to a gun show happened to be on a stock for a sub-machine gun. She didn’t know that until a security man stopped her just inside the front doors.

“He said ‘I’ve gotta check that gun,’” she recalled with a laugh. “He didn’t know that there wasn’t a gun attached, it was just the stock.”

Lindsay explained her mistake. She’d ordered a few gunstocks from a website.

“They were about the right size and they were cheap. I didn’t know what they were,” she confessed, her laughter filling the kitchen of the home she shares with her husband, Allen.

Her rhinestone cowgirl belt and jeans say she’s country. Warm hazel eyes and a quick smile say she’s hospitable. When the conversation turns to art, a visitor finds out Lindsay is knowledgeable and passionate about whatever she sets her hand to. Currently that is carving.

Lindsay uses a unique handheld rotary tool called a Paragrave, which slices through wood and other materials at 1 million rpm. The tool was developed by Lew Jensen, a retired Vernal dentist.

Since trying her hand at gunstocks for a relatively short time, her daily practice and subsequent success resulted in top honors: best of show at the Duchesne County Fair and a first place and best of show in the professional division at the Utah State Fair. Lindsay was home in Boneta, crafting another gunstock, when she got the call about her ribbons from fellow carvers in Salt Lake City.

“All I knew was that I had done a good job,” she said with a shrug, explaining that she didn’t really understand that her carving had taken the show for a couple of minutes.

When she realized what her friends were so excited about she said her sense of satisfaction skyrocketed to exhilaration. Lindsay said the same feelings occur after she has put the final sealant over her designs – her last stroke of artistry – before handing it back to the owner.

“It’s a mixture of relief and exhilaration. I think, ‘Oh my gosh, this is the best work I’ve ever done,’” she said. “Then the next one comes along.”

Lindsay has confidence in her artistic ability, but strives for perfection in whatever she undertakes, which has made her a life-long student. She has taken classes from Jensen and is currently being tutored by Keith Hone of the Hone Studio near Spanish Fork, Utah.

Oddly, for a woman who declares that she “hates to hunt,” Lindsay finds the irony of carving gunstocks amusing. But those who see her work are lining up for a custom carved stock of their own. Like John Lyda, owner of J&P Saddle in Ballard, who has commissioned a custom carving in memory of his late wife, Pauly, on the stock of his late wife’s gun.

Lindsay has learned that no one readily parts with a gun.

“Men are very proud of their guns. They’re an extension of the person who owns them,” she explained, adding, “When I am entrusted with one, I feel it’s a privilege. Some are handed down in families for hundreds of years.”

The inspiration for each design comes long before the actual carving. Lindsay confessed that her mind must be in a relaxed state in order to be creative, which is usually after she has gone to bed. “I lay awake at night I do my best designing,” she said.

To fortify her imagination, Lindsay and her husband take weekend trips to the Uinta Mountains in a vehicle they call their “Army jeep car,” a Polaris ATV with a cab. While they explore, her camera is snapping photos of the landscapes and, if she’s lucky, the wildlife who call the mountain their home.

With an image in her mind, her fingers itch to sketch it out. Once it’s down on paper Lindsay searches the Internet for a photo of the object she wants. She uses the photo as a realistic cross reference.

When she gets her paper design just right, Lindsay carves the figures in clay. This ensures that she’ll be able to make it fit on the gunstock. It also tells her how many layers she’ll have to carve into the wood.

Once she’s satisfied with the clay carving she begins carving in wood, typically alder that she buys as a plank and cuts stock-sized lengths. Lindsay may practice a dozen or more times on a design before she actually sinks her tool into a gun stock. She does her work in a re-purposed shipping container complete with a wide window and steel door. Inside an air system removes sawdust while air conditioners keep the building cool as she works.

“I have to get the nerve up before I can cut into that nice high-gloss finish,” she admitted.

If her unique wildlife carvings don’t set her apart on their own, it’s the next step that makes it a Deb Lindsay design — she often oil paints the intricate image. The result is breathtaking.

It’s critical that a carver knows what type of wood they’re working, Lindsay said.

“Most gunstocks are walnut, which is a hardwood,” she said. “There are other woods out there in gunstocks, tiger wood. It’s an exotic. There are a lot of exotics. The harder the wood, the easier it is to carve.”

Her natural love for wood has also led Lindsay into gunstock restoration. She will completely sand old finishes and light scratches out of the stock. If there are deep scratches and marks, she works them into the design until they are no longer visible. Other restoration work, such as work on the barrel or mechanics, must be done by a gunsmith, she said.

Although carving gunstocks is her current passion, it follows a steady flow of artistic pursuits. Lindsay began with knitting and confessed, “it didn’t go fast enough.” Then she began crocheting and took on intricate projects until she was creating elaborate historical ball gowns for dolls. Then in the early ’80s she discovered tole painting and created piece after piece, most of which she’s given away. Then oil painting landscapes and wildlife and then her interest fell from the canvas to mural painting.

Lindsay said she found videos or instructors to help with each step in her artistic endeavors, even if it meant traveling great distances for training. She kept learning and challenging herself artistically and finally she tried her hand at a childhood fascination — the art of glass blowing.

She gathered equipment and bought training DVDs by a glass sculptor who worked for Walt Disney. When she learned the artist on the DVDs lived in Idaho, she called his studio and asked if he was still teaching. His wife told Lindsay that depended on how serious she was. Lindsay assured the woman that she was serious.

“It was one of the most marvelous experiences I could have ever had.” Lindsay said, adding that after a few classes her new instructor told her she was a natural.

“He said, ‘Now go home, practice, and do,’” Lindsay recalled.

Part of Lindsay’s shop is filled with glass rod, equipment and a kiln. She has completed numerous glass art projects which can be viewed on her website, deblindsaystudios.com, along with the Ostrich eggs she carved when she first learned to use the Paragrave carving tool. One of those egg carvings took first place at the Duchesne County Fair.

Each artistic endeavor has built Lindsay’s experience and her confidence. Her diligent work in each medium has pushed her on to the next. What is next? She smiled and her eyes lit up.

“I don’t know,” she said.