In July of 2008, Josh Van Haelen came to Emporia for Bill Janney's Basic Wood Carving & Engraving course. He brought his desire to learn and left with a beautifully engraved gun.

The gun stock you see here is what Josh accomplished in just five short days. He worked hard, asked questions, and did an excellent job – especially for a basic course. He followed the guidance of instructor Bill Janney, carving a balanced design including large, flowing scrolls around a scenic landscape. Van Haelen also engraved sections of fish scales on the sides, finishing them off with smooth leaves and small scrolls.

With very little experience and his passion for engraving, Josh Van Haelen really got the job done in an amazing amount of time. He really pushed himself above and beyond to get the most of his learning experience, and it's important to note that the quality of engraving came out great for this beginner. Hopefully Josh will continue to impress others with his skill and tenacity.