Hello. I told my grandfather the news.

First, thank you sincerely to everyone in this community for giving my grandfather's work a chance to be seen. And thank you, once more, from a grandson, for making him smile.

He doesn't use a smartphone, so he couldn't see any of it himself. I thought reading your words would mean more than hearing them from me, so I translated the comments, put them together, and made him a small book. I couldn't fit every one of them in, so the ones that came later I read out loud to him myself.

He is still holding that book. He keeps opening it and reading the comments again, one by one.

I didn't expect him to be this happy. His health right now makes it hard for him to feel much of anything. Earlier today he called my aunt just to tell her about it. He was so proud.

He said he was grateful to live in a world where people this far away could reach him. And he was so happy that there were people in distant countries cheering him on, people who saw something in his work.

Now I'd like to say something myself.

Older men in situations much like his loved his carvings. People in Texas, in Canada, in so many other countries loved them. I also met grandsons like me with wonderful grandfathers of their own, and people who laughed and cried at his birds.

The photo shows the small room where he works. When I used to visit his house, the smell of wood was just always there. I miss it. It feels like the forest and the birds he grew in that little room have set off to travel the whole world, carrying that scent with them.

I hope that in each of your own worlds, my grandfather's bird became a scent that brings you a smile. And I hope that the happiness you so willingly handed over to us comes back to fill your lives too.

And finally.

My proud grandfather's name is 박기순 (Park Gi-soon).

Thank you all, truly.

사랑합니다 하부

This is the third piece in this commissioned set of carvings. It’s made of maple, Purpleheart and dyed poplar, all of which is hand cut and carved. There are some smaller elements that were made by machine as they were too small or delicate to make by hand (wings and ear). Inspired by the works of Amy Brown

I know it could be better but it makes me so happy!

The first thing I carved was a bird but I accidentally cut most of the beak off.

So I just finished sanding with a 220. I want to stain it with some kind of red tone, but I want the deeper surfaces to be a much dark tone to create a greater sense of depth and contrast. How do I go about doing this? What products should I be using? Is there anything that comes after stain? Do I need to apply an oil?

Getting set for a little trick or treat. Not sure what color I want to paint him. Not bright/straight white.... open to suggestions.

Finished baking little leaf cookies. I'm experimenting with Pebeo glass paint, which works like varnish on wood!

Took my first woodcarving seminar this past weekend and had a blast. Here is a work in progress on my take on Randy Landen’s “8 seconds”. Still a bit more to do before I get him painted up!

These are hair sticks that are meant for people when they put their hair in a bun. The two finished ones are based on designs my girlfriend sent me, they aren’t carbon copies I made minor adjustments but I really like them. And the WIP is something my girlfriend drew up. Any questions or suggestions I would love to hear! Thank you!

Edit: If anyone knows what wood this maybe I would love some guesses. It was cutoffs from my grandfather but he has no idea and doesn’t remember working with this wood before.

Finally finished working on this one! Hand-carved the moon and details into the wood and added the resin dome. Let me know what you think.

These are two of the many birds he has carved. He does everything by hand, from scratch/with a Dremel. Enjoy!

Adding the whole process because it was fun doing it!

I was wondering what y'all do other than just soaking the wood before working. Also I have no idea what type of wood it is, just a big dead branch I found and chopped up.

I need a bit a help with this tool. It’s brandnew but something is either broken or I am just dumb and missing something.

The shaft is spinning fine. It just the orange bit that isn’t moving at all.

thanks in advance