**UPDATE: The contests is over! Congratulations to Victor Dagatan, who won the copy of Matsuo’s “Ice Sculpture: Secrets of a Japanese Master”**

   The first ice carving secrets contest is over (congrats to Andy Ta, who won the flat chisel and Junichi saw from Ice Crafters), so now it’s time to start the next contest. The prize for this contest is a gently used copy of Ice Sculpture: Secrets of a Japanese Master, by Yukio Matsuo. I believe this book used to sell for about $80 new, but now prices for this excellent source of ice sculpting knowledge range widely for used copies. I’ve seen it listed from about $30 all the way up to $150. This book came out in 1992 and features the first published use of a die grinder (that I’m aware of, at least) for sculpting ice. A Makita die grinder (it’s referred to as an electric drill) is pictured on the tool pages and the author writes that the tool, in combination with a rounded bit “gives a softer touch than using gouge chisels, and creates unique reflections.” In the late eighties and early nineties, the art of carving ice was undergoing a power tool renaissance, led by innovative sculptors such as national champion Mark Daukas, so it’s particularly interesting that a die grinder would show up in Matsuo’s book, especially since the Japanese approach at the time to ice art was generally considered to be more traditional.

    The winner of the book will be randomly selected from all qualifying entries after the contest deadline of 5 pm CDT on Sunday, May 23, 2010. Qualifying for this contest is simple:

1. 1)Be members of the ice carving secrets and Ice Crafters facebook groups at the time of the contest deadline.
   

2. 2)Post a photo of one of your ice sculptures on the ice carving secrets facebook page (it should end up as a fan photo). If you post your version of one of the designs on ice carving secrets, then your entry will be counted twice. Posted photos of your version of an ice carving secrets design will also be added to the Visitors’ Gallery on this site at a later date. If one of your photos already is part of the Visitors’ Gallery, then you still need to post it to the ice carving secrets facebook page to participate.
   

3. 3)Finally, although it’s not an absolute requirement, you should send an email indicating that you’ve fulfilled the requirements to enter the contest.
   

    Those not eligible to enter this contest include myself (Dawson List), persons associated with Ice Crafters, persons associated with other advertisers on this site, and those who’ve never carved an ice sculpture and taken a picture of it. If you post a photo to enter the contest, you are asserting that you carved the sculpture and that you have the right to post the photo. The prize includes the book, along with shipping and insurance to addresses in the U.S. If the winner lives outside the U.S., then shipping costs may be covered, depending on the final destination (e.g., shipping to Antarctica: NOT covered). Problems entering the contest? Send an email describing the problem.

    You might also find photos and info from this entry on the ice carving secrets facebook page and you can comment there as well as below. Thanks!