Decoy of the Month... July '14...

[Neighbor_guy]

Jeepers, its already July. We are going to be in the spear shacks before we know it.

For those playing along at home my kid and I post up a challenge at the beginning of the month for each of the months during the "off season" in the end there will be a total of 8 decoy or spearing related challenges. The goal is to expose people to carving and painting decoys that may not have ever done it before, to give the carvers who frequent the site a chance to show off what they can do, and for me to spend a little quality time with my kid while she thinks its still fun to do so.

Lets get things going, Goose, name the challenge...

There it is, the Decoy of the Month for July is "Shark". In all honesty she was a little disappointed by this challenge. She has been staring at the "Captain Jack Tuna" decoy that is going to Dealers house for almost a month and was really hopping that she would pull tuna out of the hat. I reminded her that "shark" was one of the decoy ideas that she suggested. So she is going with it.

Obviously you can look around and find all kinds of pictures of sharks out there. I don't need to post any here. I did find a couple of spearing decoys that were sharks.

Here is an example:

I am not sure of the carver or I would give credit where it is due.

Good luck to all who participate.

Remember, this is open to ALL carvers, there is no judge's, usually just praise, if you are new to carving or have questions feel free to ask, there are plenty here who would be willing to help.

I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with this month.

[jvm1]

Any updates on the progress this month NG? Im curious to see what you guys come up with this month.

[Neighbor_guy]

I have part of it done, and have had two broken/fail's that have ended up in the barrel. It may be a last minute deal this month.

Abby too, there are several patterns that have been drawn and ripped in half, but that's as far as she's gone.

[MJ1657]

We will be anxiously waiting.

[Neighbor_guy]

I finally managed to get a blank cut and carved that I am happy with. And considering I have 4 days left of the month I should have it done in time.

The goose however will not be submitting a shark until sometime in August.

So I will get this thing finned up leaded and primed out today and get started on paint.

With any luck someone else will post up another shark, otherwise you guys will only get to see one decoy from this months challenge.

[jasonmichalski]

I wish I could play along but working 70-80 hours a week it's leaving me much time, lol!

[Neighbor_guy]

I hear ya Jason. Been doing 65-70hrs a week myself which is why I'm so far behind this month.

I am close to getting my new employee trained though, so the end if the OT train is in sight.

[Dorkfish]

Well neighbor guy guess who has a shark cut out for ya. Give ya couple hints. Who has two thumbs and a few tricks up his sleeve.

This guy ---->😎

I'll post some pictures tomorrow for ya

[Neighbor_guy]

I look forward to seeing it!!!

[Neighbor_guy]

I'm in paint today. So, it won't be finished by the end of the month sorry

I tried. I will get it based and first clear coat today. Air-brush and detailing tomorrow. Then several (usually 5-6) coats of clear before it's finished.

So look for a final shark from my shop sometime during the day Saturday.

Thanks for following along, August is looking less busy so that one should be done by my self imposed 1-month deadline.

[MJ1657]

You're dedicated Matt. I'm looking forward to this months decoy.

[MJ1657]

Well neighbor guy guess who has a shark cut out for ya. Give ya couple hints. Who has two thumbs and a few tricks up his sleeve.

This guy ---->😎

I'll post some pictures tomorrow for ya

Post some pics Alex. You must have something to show us guys that don't have that talent.

[mrklean]

Cant wait to see it Matt, are you doing a unique color pattern on it or a grey silver?

[Neighbor_guy]

The original plan was that Abby was going off shore (hammer head) and I was going inshore or reef...

So I chose a tidepool leopard shark, so I guess sandy/dirty brown and almond with gun metal

[Neighbor_guy]

It's finally done!!! I think this was the longest it's taken on a decoy yet. The crab was done just a few days into the month, but the shark gave me fits.

So leopard shark and crab. It does swim as well so whoever ends up with it will have the option of puting it in the water come December.

We will get next months drawing later today. Thanks for following along!!

[MJ1657]

I like it! How did you make the teeth?

[Dorkfish]

Well this is what I have so far spent most of the weekend up north will try and get it painted sometime this week or weekend

[mrklean]

Very nice love the detail with the teeth

[Neighbor_guy]

I like it! How did you make the teeth?

I filed saw teeth into some aluminum sheet. It was scrap left over from cutting fins. It was then bent to shape/fit and epoxied in place. They were one source of the many failures this month. It's one thing to draw it all out on paper or have ideas in your head. Another thing to make it all happen in 3d. In the end what worked was using one of the patterns I use for mud puppies or lizards then modifying things from there.

[Archerysniper]

It looks awesome Matt

[Neighbor_guy]

Thanks arch.

Just a heads up the goose is back on Friday so I will have her pull a name on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

[jasonmichalski]

Looks good!

[Neighbor_guy]

6 names in the hat this month...

Goose is digging deep......

****JVM1***

Watch for a pm shortly to arrange for delivery or shipping of the shark decoy I posted last week.

Thanks everyone for participating in this months thread it did run a little late. Something's take longer than others.

[jvm1]

Thank you so much! I can't wait to add it to my enormous decoy collection of....6 LOL!

It's growing slowly but surely.

I have a feeling this little guy will have a new favorite decoy to look at and think of ways to get at it...

[MJ1657]

He will look good with a spear in his hand a few years from now. You'll be getting a great decoy from Neighbor Guy.