First, thank you to all who have givin me advice and to all who will inthe future! I am here to learn, so ask I will!! are there any tricks, voo-doo, or magic dances to stop my creations from splitting??!! My first bear was hickory...BAD SPLIT!!! I'm now doing one from ash...seems stable so far (fingers crossed!)
Thanks again, and GOOD CARVING
Brett

Hey Brett,You want your carving to keep its moisture
as long as possible. The slower it drys usally the less
it cracks depending on the wood.Some of methods used
are coating the carving with sanding sealer first
the bottom of the carving too,let dry for a day then
coat with spar or marine varnish at least 3 coats.So
far I,ve had pretty good luck with that method.Another
method is using linseed oil first.Use enough coats that
oil looks soaked into carving then let dry and then
coat with spar varnish 3 or so coats.Don't be afraid
to ask questions on any of the forums that what there
here for. The people here have always been real
helpful to me. I hope this helps. Scott