Elaine learned to make and teach a number of different crafts. Among the most popular of these were macramé, silk flower arranging and seasonal ornamental crafts.

From time to time, wholesale suppliers would offer classes to promote new product lines or to give retailers instruction on how to use and promote various products that they carried.

On one of the occasions the class was on a very simple country relief woodcarving technique. Elaine encouraged Fred to take the class. Even though he was not bitten by the carving bug, Elaine was.

As time went on, Elaine spent more time developing her skill as a relief woodcarver. Initially most of the designs were simple and derived from pattern books etc. But, at an early stage original Stenman designs were worked into the carvings.

A division of labor was also set early on. Elaine continued to grow as a carver, and Fred drew more and more of the designs.