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It doesn’t take long for a new member to hear about Shirley’s Shop.
The shop is the site for CWA minor and major seminars, weekly get togethers for
carving and food and much more. Here we learn more about the woman behind
the shop—Shirley Coffelt. Shirley grew up on Orcas Island about 80 miles north
of Seattle. Her love of wood started young. The island was a bit calm and
boring for kids, but when the tugboats came in towing barges of limestone five
or six guys on the tug would come ashore and pass the time whittling. Shirley
borrowed her dad’s pocketknife, picked up a piece of driftwood and started
carving with the tugboat crew.
The knife was always dull, and the results were disappointing. She didn’t lose her interest in carving, however, and years later when she joined CWA, she discovered bass wood and learned how to sharpen her tools.
Shirley studied photography in college and that led to a long-term job at UC
Davis as a research photographer for projects studying the effects of radiation
on animals. When the funding ran out for that project, Shirley retired and she and a neighbor boy built her shop in Shirley’s backyard. She shared the cost with her neighbors who were also wood workers- making dulcimer guitars.
The shop was perfect for fostering carving and groups of 10 or more
were often found taking a class
Another feature of Shirley’s Shop is an extensive woodcarving library
purchased by CWA that covers almost every kind of common wood carving. Books can be checked out (if you promise to return them on time!). These books contain techniques, design ideas and topics such as wood selection and sharpening.
The latter topic is one that is a challenge for most beginning, and some experienced, carvers. Shirley says that she struggled with sharpening until she joined CWA and got
expert help from more experienced members. Shirley is committed to continuing
to learn. She said she has taken virtually every course offered through CWA.
Instructors included some of the country’s most well-known carvers who the club
brought to Sacramento to teach classes.
One place where she sold a lot of Christmas ornaments and other small carvings was the Elder Craftsman Store in Old Sacramento. The store was run by retired women, and much of the merchandise was knitted or sewn objects. Shirley’s carvings were unique and very popular.
Shirley says that her carvings were so popular that she carved eight hours a day just to provide enough stock for the center during the Christmas season
She carved on the sidewalk in front of the center and had lots of people stop and chat as she worked.
At the club meetings Shirley would be at one table and all the women aggregated around her. Bob Travis was at another table with the men. This was more than just gender separation. Many of the women were beginners and Shirley helped them get started. She had mentored some of them at her shop. Most of the men were more experienced carvers, and they worked on more advanced techniques. But, it didn’t take long for the women to catch up, and they became some of the club’s best carvers.
Shirley has led several group projects for the club including this Noah’s Ark regularly shown at our show.
Shirley’s role in CWA is significant and she has played a major part in the
development of carving in Sacramento. We owe her a debt of gratitude for her
generosity in sharing her shop for potluck sessions where her fresh-baked bread
is a highlight. She is truly a CWA treasure.
Capital Woodcarvers Association 
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