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His feelings on the disadvantages of painting wood carvings.
Archie Hunter
Woodworking
At one time woodworking was one of the most common crafts of the American South. All aspects of carpentry and carving, including the selection of wood, were traditions passed from parent to child. Woodworking was an essential skill in rural South Carolina. Before rail transportation, inland residents had little access to imported wares. Local craftsmen made most of the basic furniture and household items – bureaus, chests, tables, chairs, utensils, mixing bowls, benches – the variety is endless. Vernacular furniture was often hand-hewn from native woods. Carved items used for hunting include bird decoys and bird calls. Whimsies, toys, and walking canes were also carved in abundance. While these objects were utilitarian by nature, most of them also incorporated ornamentation that reflected individual and communal artistic expression.
Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.
For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.
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Where he finds the wood for his carvings
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He also carves wooden spoons with various human head shapes on the handle
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Some other trees that he and his friend Kirby use for carving.
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Some of the things he learned to carve as a child
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How he goes from an idea to a carving.
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Wood carver in Walterboro, SC (Colleton County). He decided to take up wood carving after his friend Kirby Evans introduced him to the craft. Interview conducted by Michael Chiarappa.
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When he started making baskets and why.
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R.C. Hagan talks about how he makes baskets.
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R.C. Hagan talks about how he makes baskets.
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R.C. Hagan talks about the different baskets he makes and when to use odd or even numbers of ribs.
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R.C. Hagan talks about how he started making axe and hammer handles.
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R.C. Hagan shares his love of hunting. For awhile turkey hunting had stopped in the Piedmont area of South Carolina, so he went hunting in Augusta during the open season.
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R.C. Hagan talks about the types of woods he uses to make his turkey calls and what makes a good turkey call.
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R.C. Hagan talks about his experiences with making molasses.
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He also enjoys making hash out of deer and pork.
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10
Mabel Hagan Is an accomplished quilter. She is pictured with a “Save All” quilt. The rop was made by her grandmother and was given to her as a wedding present. Five or six years later, she and her...
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R.C. Hagan talks about how they use to can their food and how that changed when freezers came along.
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R.C. Hagan talks about how his mother made soap out of meat scraps and ashes.
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R.C. talks about the way he prepares and cooks venison (deer meat).
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R.C. Hagan explains how taxidermists preserve deer heads.
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R.C. Hagan talks about cooking possum.
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Native of Donalds, SC (Abbeville County), Mr. Hagan made split-oak baskets, axe handles, and turkey calls while Mrs. Hagan is an accomplished quilter. Mr. Hagan learned to make split-oak baskets as a...
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Cost discusses the importance of wood in crafting a call and the different sounds a turkey call should make. Courtesy of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
