Tallbald Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 First, let me tell you that like so many here I love aquatic life. From childhood on, ponds and lakes amazed me and bodies of water were my favorite part of the little family farm we were blessed to have. Second, throughout the 90's and into the early parts of the new century I spent countless hours at the wood lathe and band saw in my little shop creating finely finished turned wood and metal sculptures that sold (thankfully) through several art galleries in Kentucky and Tennessee.Most of the sculptures were quirky and humorous in design, and all my creations were accompanied by an anecdotal story that explained the meaning of the piece. It was a labor of love to create the sculptures, and I strained to execute each piece in great detail. It could be physically demanding work too. Fast forward to today. I find myself forcefully retired 10 years before expected. My body has let me down (whining here) and I am only able to spend short stretches in our little shop. My loving wife Penny even halted my thoughts 2 years ago of just selling off all my shop tools in a fit of frustration and despair over lost abilities. I've always loved fishing lures and considered them to be artwork. I loved studying the colors, the patterns and the shapes. I am eagerly anticipating making and using lures that I create and maybe even selling a few to help finance my hobby. In regards to that I have learned so much on this forum in the short time I have been here, and met enthusiasts that are the most generous and caring folks I have met in years. And again I thank all of you and hope one day to be able to pass forward the kindnesses I have received. This is truly a great site. Several months ago before joining this forum, Penny and I had decided to try participation in a local craft show. Penny is an outstanding seamstress and wanted, with my encouragement, to present her works to the public. It's time together we shall enjoy, and we have decided to offer our items at a shared table. The "Kentucky Woodfish" in the picture I'll try to post here are not lures. What they are though is the result of me some time back taking rescued wood scraps and hand sketching around knots, cracks and holes then cutting them out and contour sanding for visual interest. I don't know how yet to use the air brush I bought years ago. I also don't have the finely tuned skills at painting that so many artists here have. I do however have a supply of acrylic brush paint and decorated these "fish" with them, trying to learn blending and experimenting with patterns and colors. People who have seen them call them "folk art" and I can accept that. They are silly and quirky but are simply my first steps traveling down what I expect to be a long happy road leading to making real, functional "folk art" lures. They cost little but my time, and I'll use the things I learn making them to help me make the "real deal" I hope one day. Just wanted folks here to understand I am sincere in my wishes to learn the skill of lure making, but that I am taking baby steps in some odd directions during my quest. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joliepa Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I love it! I think there's alot of room for people who want to channel the artistic side of the hobby. Have you had any interest in selling them? do they generate buzz in some of the craft shows your wife is selling at?? I enjoy best the 2nd lure down, left side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joliepa Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 oh, and I'll add that if you haven't checked out some of the really ingenious ways members on here are doing fish scales. you ought to. with a few stencils and some skill, its simply amazing how much they enhance the Look. whether you're out to imitate real life, or just want to make something truly eye caching. Let me know if you have interest and I can send you the link. I think it was first public on stripersonline (SOL) by a guy nicknamed fatfingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 If I can make a lure anybody can . Just jump in there . I started with a hickory stick some screen door screw eyes and a couple treble hooks . Course that was so long ago there were no such things as in home computers or cell phones . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallbald Posted November 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) Actually Joliepa this will be my first attempt at selling. I'm aware of other wood workers who are successfully selling things like beautifully turned bowls, pen and pencil sets, wine bottle stoppers and puzzles at local shows, but honestly those type things don't speak to me like the thought of lures and fishing related stuff does. Because everybody seems to have something that excites them, I'm expecting a lot of different reactions from "I like those" to "what are you trying to make?". Penny says I should make things I enjoy making since we don't at present have to rely on selling to put food on the table. If someone wants to spend $20 for a wall decoration in their den I have what they need (grin). I'll keep working an improving my skills, and will learn to make the oversize, store display style lures I set out to create. I will, with help here, learn to create real, functional lures also. Like so many others I worked all my life doing what I had to do to earn a living, and now I'd like to try doing what I myself want to do creatively. I'll let you know after this weekend if any buzz was heard. Don Edited November 8, 2013 by Tallbald Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crankbaits Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Listen to your wife.Make what you enjoy and hold on to the artistic side.Building a lure is a art and the more creative you let yourself be the easier it will be for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallbald Posted November 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 SO very true Crankbaits. I shall make them to make me happy and smile. Honestly my mind is aflutter with quirky fun ideas as well as more serious bait styles. Between the free license I've given myself to try new techniques and materials and my wish to stay occupied I have a lot of new ground to cover. Wow this board is full of supportive and inspirational folks. Thanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleriver Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @ Tallbald These bear a strong resemblance to fish decoys. Might want to consider doing a few of these too. http://www.ravenswayantiques.com/Fish%20Decoys/Display%20pages/Fish2.htm I am seeing coat racks and hat hangers too. Perhaps even a kitchen utensil hanger. Nice looking collection of exotic fish wall decorations. Good luck at the show! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Don, Definatley works of art..and if your only charging 20.00..a bargain too.We love seeing your work but pictures like this need to go in the photo gallery...Nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
