User:Sarah Purdue/Sandbox

David Stansbury - Award-Winning Woodcarving Artist

At age 13, Phoenix, AZ, native, David Stansbury picked up a pocket knife and began carving wooden "neckerfhief" slides as a Boy Scout project. His carvings were somewhat crude, but he loved the creative process and working with wood.

Now a retired welder/fitter, David has the opportunity to return to his "first love." Armed with much more sophisticated equipment, David has decided to turn this hobby into a business since his "relatives have run out of wall space" for his works. You can view examples of his work in woodcarving at his website: www.davidstansburystudios.com. His decorative glass sandblasting (etching) is displayed at: www.keepsakesfromtheheart.org.

In competition at the 2007 Arizona State Fair, David submitted three samples of his work; and he was awarded first prize for an ivory inlay on a rifle stock and second prize on a wildlife scene carved on a rifle stock. He was also awarded a first-prize ribbon for an etched glass project he submitted.

David's principle carving tool is a modified dental drill invented by Dr. Lewis R. Jensen, of Orem, Utah. Dr. Jensen founded an internet business, Profitable Hobbies, which provides high-speed engraving and other hobby/small business equipment and supplies to both amateur and professional artists in several formats: woodcarving, sandblasting, egg-carving, and air brushing.

On the personal side. ..

David and Lois, his wife of 41 years, have two grown daughters, Donna and Jennifer, who live with their families in Redmond, WA, and Vernon, TX, respectively.

David and Lois consider their four (4) grandchildren a great source of pride and enjoyment. They live by two slogans:

* David - "Grandpas are just little boys with bifocals!" * Lois - "Grammy is my name, and spoiling is my game!"

David looks forward to sharing his love of workcarving with his grandchildren.