Mare's Bears & More
ABOUT
Wood. A word that perfectly describes Mary Molitor's interests, hobbys, and free time. She's built houses with it, carved pictures from it, and heats her garage with. She's split it, chopped it, burned it, sold it, breathed it, and probably eaten quite a bit of it as well.
While she's no friend to a fallen oak, she certainly has the ability to give the dead thing new life. After countless years of handling a chainsaw as a tool symbolizing hard work and a sore back, in 2020 Mary picked it up with much more creative intentions. No longer was it for cutting straight lines and heavy logs, but rather trimming feathers or grooming fur.
She began to intertwine her natural artistic skills with her swift talent of running the saw. She combined it with her ability to work from dawn to dusk and fight through the various physical tribulations that come with handling reckless machinery and heavy lumber. And soon the clouds parted, and the light shined on her incredible gifts. Her first bear was completed in March of 2020 and the saw dust has been coming down in blizzard fashion ever since.
She's sculpted countless bears, hordes of gnomes, and whole patches of pumpkins. She's carved many things from squatches to squirrels, Christmas trees to cowboys. She's done many a custom work, and filled many hearts with great joy.
When she's not busy with her growing family, you can find her right where God intended: with a saw in her hand, wood chips in her hair, determination on her face and a log propped up in front of her, ready for the rippin.
- Tanner Molitor, son of Mary
Want to know more about Mary and her journey with carving? Click on this article in the Country Acres publication!
THE PROCESS
CARVING CARE
The below tips will help reduce the likelihood of larger cracks but checking is normal and to be expected at some point.
Wood checking (small cracking) is a natural tendency of wood whether it’s seasoned or green. Once the wood is cut, it will begin to check. It occurs because of moisture coming and going as the log breathes. This is due to humidity changes within the wood and is in no way considered a defect. If the carving is kept in a stable environment and is treated well with the suggestions below, it can reduce the likelihood of frequent checking.
Wood is wood; future properties cannot be guaranteed once sold.
Direct sunlight and dry places (especially next to heaters) are not good for the carving and may cause fading, premature cracking and checking.
Keep carvings at least one-half inch off the ground to prevent rotting. There are some feet included in the bag that can be utilized.
The wood may seep as it dries and possibly stain floors and countertops. Bricks, rocks, coasters, etc. can be used to keep the carving off the ground.
Once a year, larger carvings should be coated with Australian Timber Oil or even repainted with Rust-Oleum spray paint (pictured).
UPCOMING EVENTS
(None at this time)
Note: Gift Certificates available. Please contact Mary through her email for more info.