Watertown – Jake Mains is the youngest wood carver in the area, and got his start in the business with the help of coincidences and giants.
Mr Maynes, 21, is an army brat whose father was stationed at Fort Drum. He was one of several woodcarvers at Burville Power Equipment on Route 12 this weekend, showcasing skills he had developed over the years.
Woodcarvers from all over the country were on hand in the power tool business to present their work and carve out what the attendees raved about.
Kara Dry/Watertown Daily Times Fritz E. Loomis, from the Finger Lakes area, carves hummingbirds to add to the collection during an open house at Barrville Power Equipment on Saturday afternoon.
Kara Dry
Mr Maines, who specializes in carving bears, got his start when he was at his family’s lake house in Canada about two years ago. He never thought much about carving wood, but when he saw a stump in the backyard:
“I saw the stump and thought, ‘I’m going to put the bear’s head in that,'” he said.
Mr. Maines pulled up YouTube and watched a how-to video when he began using his grandfather’s $100 chain saw. It was not going so well, so his father shouted to him that there was a man in the street who was carving a bear in the wood. Mr Maynes walked down the street with his old chain saw and asked the neighbor for some pointers.
“He gave me a chain saw and ended up walking me through it,” said Mr. Menes.
Scott Simmons of Simmons Farm in Copenhagen, himself a woodcarver and owner of Burville Power Equipment, hosted the open house for the carvers. During a visit to Simmons Farm, Mr. Mennes’ father was admiring Mr. Simmons’ carvings. When Mr Simmons asked if he wanted to buy it. Mr Maynes said no, but his son was interested in the carving. This is how Mr Mens joined the industry.
“The rest is history,” he said. “I just thought it was too good to be true. And now, at the beginning of summer where I am now, it’s very different.”
In the short time he’s doing it, Mr. Men’s has learned to draw elaborate and lively bears, and it all started with some help from experienced carvers.
“I think older guys are more open to helping a younger boy,” he said. “I think if you’re younger and you’re chasing something you want to do, the older guys are always ready to help some of us little friends.”
Corey A. of Waitumpka, Alabama. Worden turns out to be a huge patriotic Sasquatch in Burville on Saturday. Kara Dry/Watertown Daily Times
This carving aligns with the culture of the community, according to Dan Hartley, a 10-year-old carver who traveled from Nashville to Watertown for the event.
“Every business has a family, but the carving family is great,” said Mr. Hartley. “It’s a passion and we love it.”
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