At the Chicago Pipe Show, there is a 2-day pipe carving and finishing class taught by the best in the business. This year it was Jeff Gracik, Ernie Markle, Lee Erck, Andy Peterson, and Rex Poggenpohl. $125, including the materials. There is a drilling class, too, which can be taken in a subsequent year. It's an amazing bargain and is held on Wednesday and Thursday before the show officially starts. A lot of the young carvers seem to network via Facebook.