Antler art has been an interest of mine for quite some time and one of these days I just might try it like these nice folks.

Stepping into Nancy and Jerry Sager’s workshop, a visitor’s eyes are drawn to a myriad of finished and work-in-progress projects. What is unique about the retired couple’s art is the all-natural material from where the creations develop: antlers, bark and wood.

Pictured: Nancy and Jerry Sager of Wyanett Township are quite at home in the carving workshop they built and furnished with tools for their retirement years. Photos by Greg Hunt

The Sagers, who live and carve on their Wyanett Township homestead found a bit off the beaten track, started honing their craft as they neared retirement from their regular jobs. Their art and the classes they teach in their workshop will be featured on Ron Schara’s “Minnesota Bound,” which will be broadcast on KARE-11 at 10:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. (A rebroadcast of that show will also be on Saturday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m.).

“Art carved out of antlers is not commonly done. It’s an unusual medium which I first saw on a trip to Alaska. At that time, I said, ‘This is something I want to do,’” explained Nancy.

Scenes come to life on antlers

Deer frolicking, eagles or a mountain man with a string of horses are scenes that Nancy has carved into the broad beams of moose antlers. On beautifully created white tail antler knife handles she performs what she calls “power scrimshaw” to cut nature scenes into her unique pieces.

The couple meticulously bored holes through beams and compiled a number of antlers to create their own chandelier which hangs above their front door. Antlers are used as accents to many of the creations which grace their home

Pictured: Above: A whitetail antler was turned into a unique knife handle, with Nancy Sager adding an elk scene through scrimshaw. In back is a deep relief carving of a wooden bridge done by Jerry Sager.
“When I first started, I didn’t like how I was carving at all. Then we were in Nebraska for a wood carving seminar, and I smelt that familiar smell of antlers being carved in another room. I signed up for that class, and eventually took more classes from two other antler carvers over the next years,” she said.

An array of wood carving creations

Meanwhile, Jerry uses his portion of the workshop for his wood carving and rustic furniture creating. Cottages and faces are brought forth from thick chunks of 150-year-old cottonwood bark. He likes to employ diamond willow wood for chairs, stools and other furniture. Plus he stretches his skills for relief sculpting of scenes on wood planks.

“I started out doing chain saw carving, then after taking classes, I began using the mallet and chisel for my carvings,” he said. Five years before retiring, the Sagers built the shop and began accumulating tools for their shop. “There’s really not much we can’t do in here. We’re pretty self-sufficient,” said Jerry.

Added Nancy, “The way we look at it, you should never be bored in your retirement. We have a lot of fun in this shop. Sometimes you lose track of time, and you have to force yourself out of the shop back to the house.”

The Sagers aren’t big into marketing their wares; they are pretty content creating family gifts and filling their home with their art and furnishings. Passing on the artisan skills through their classes is close to their heart. They also have attended the Wyanett Town Hall community arts gatherings which are held the second Thursday of each month.

By Greg Hunt
greg.hunt@ecm-inc.com

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