|
| |
CoffeeWaffle
|
Sunday, 22 May 2005
|
|
My first bone carving project is finished. The material I wanted to use for the cord is still proving hard to find though. I wanted to use a bees-wax coated nylon, that is usually used for stitching leather, because it is very strong but also give the look of a traditional flax cord. I could go ahead and make it out of flax which would be very authentic but unfortunately no matter how well made flax cord will wear out eventually (and even faster through constant contact with the skin of the wearer). I have tried sewing shops, craft shops, hardware stores, etc but can't find the stuff I want anywhere. So in the photo below the braided cord and whipping is made from white linen thread which I have braided (with home made apparatus), and soaked in a cup of tea to give it a more natural looking colour. If I do manage to find some bees-wax coated nylon I will redo it, but for now the piece is finished.
10:42:23 AM 
|
|
|
|
Saturday, 14 May 2005
|
|
After four days indoors with a head full of snot, I woke up this morning with the ability to breath through my nose again! The flu is all but gone, just in time for the weekend. Its one thing to mope around home feeling sick when you know you would only be at work otherwise, but on the weekend it drives me crazy!
My second bone carving is now underway. This one is shaped like a whale tooth which, once I get the shape just right, I will engrave. It's amazing how much polished beef bone looks like ivory. My first carving is now waiting for findings but the bee-wax coated nylon I want to use for braiding is proving difficult to source (I need to find a leather worker as apparently it's what they use). Rather than just drill a hole and use a slip-knot, I'm going use something like this. Being an ex-seaman, I appreciate a good whipping... wait, that didn't come out right...
9:17:13 AM
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 12 May 2005
|
|
I spent another day at home with the flu again today. At this rate I doubt if I'll get back to work this week. I worked on shaping my first bone carving project a little more. I can't really do much more now until I pick up some very fine sandpaper in town, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.
10:06:09 PM
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 11 May 2005
|
|
I've decided to teach myself bone carving. Its something I've wanted to do for a while and I've been slowly aquiring the hand tools for it. I've been at home with the flu for the last two days, and since I hate being in bed all day (just can't do it), I've roughed out my first peice. I spent an hour or two last night cleaning some fresh beef shanks, which included scraping, removal of marrow (Kaycees favourite part), soaking, bleaching, and drying. Today I roughed out a basic matau (fish hook) shape which symbolises abundance and plenty (and an easy form to start with). This is just the start. Now it needs sanding, engraving, polishing and of course braiding and whipping to hang it on.
7:04:53 PM
|
|
|
© Copyright
2008
Murray Neill
.
Last update:
5/10/2008; 2:44:43 p.m.
. |
|
|
|
