MikeG Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 G'day folks, Just introducing myself. I'm in Victoria, Australia and have always had an interest in ivory carving etc, since I was a kid ...... never really got around to getting into it though, closest I came was carving a wooden handle for an old knife blade. Sort of in the situation that I'd like to have some hobby totally unrelated to the work that I do. I work from home which can have a lot of benefits, but the downside is that it can be very hard to "switch off". I do get away gold prospecting but that is very dependant upon the weather, so I don't get away as often as I would like. I recently had the opportunity of seeing some traditional bone carving by a Tongan fellow and was really taken by the beautiful work that he had created, I had a talk with him and he was very free in explaining the materials and tools that he used. When I got home I realised that I have just about most of the tools already. So I thought, why not ? I'll give it a go. Time to stop procrastinating and actually do something. After that I came across your forum and have had a look at what some of the members here are doing and the great work that you do. Very inspiring. It seems to me that you can carve just about whatever you want and imagination can think of. Your only limitation is size because of the materials used. I'm more into the Celtic theme side of things so at this point in time my thoughts are that I'll head in that direction and see where it leads. But first comes some really basic stuff after learning how to prepare the bone properly !! Got to crawl before I can walk, and walk before I can run. ha ha. Already got the local Butcher lined up and pick up my first cow thigh bones today. It might turn out that I don't have any talent for it, but I won't know till I try. I'm really sorry folks, but at this point in time I don't have anything for show and tell ! Cheers Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi Mike, Welcome to The Carving Path forum! There are many topics that you might find good tips in the archives posted by carvers who work in bone in traditional and non-traditional styles. Have fun while you are learning! Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Scupham Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 G'day folks,Just introducing myself. I'm in Victoria, Australia and have always had an interest in ivory carving etc, since I was a kid ...... never really got around to getting into it though, closest I came was carving a wooden handle for an old knife blade. Sort of in the situation that I'd like to have some hobby totally unrelated to the work that I do. I work from home which can have a lot of benefits, but the downside is that it can be very hard to "switch off". I do get away gold prospecting but that is very dependant upon the weather, so I don't get away as often as I would like. I recently had the opportunity of seeing some traditional bone carving by a Tongan fellow and was really taken by the beautiful work that he had created, I had a talk with him and he was very free in explaining the materials and tools that he used. When I got home I realised that I have just about most of the tools already. So I thought, why not ? I'll give it a go. Time to stop procrastinating and actually do something. After that I came across your forum and have had a look at what some of the members here are doing and the great work that you do. Very inspiring. It seems to me that you can carve just about whatever you want and imagination can think of. Your only limitation is size because of the materials used. I'm more into the Celtic theme side of things so at this point in time my thoughts are that I'll head in that direction and see where it leads. But first comes some really basic stuff after learning how to prepare the bone properly !! Got to crawl before I can walk, and walk before I can run. ha ha. Already got the local Butcher lined up and pick up my first cow thigh bones today. It might turn out that I don't have any talent for it, but I won't know till I try. I'm really sorry folks, but at this point in time I don't have anything for show and tell ! Cheers Mike. Hi ya Mike I'm in Qld and have been bone carving for quite a few years as well as the occasional teaching gig. If you require the procedure to treating the bone and such let me know as I have some of the teaching scripts left over that show how it is done. cheers ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted February 24, 2010 Report Share Posted February 24, 2010 well, g'day tp you too: as a true newie in the carving scene, i haven't seen any celtic work yet, but sounds cool. got any links? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeG Posted February 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 Hi David, Have'nt got any links yet mate but there must be heaps of examples and photos out there on the net. In my net wanderings in the past I've come across a lot of stuff. Got to learn about the bone treatment, have a play, and then look at what and how to compose a piece. One area off the top of my mind for you to look at is information on "The Book Of Kells". Do a search and you'll turn up heaps. It's mainly about calligraphy but there is a stack of Celtic artwork examples throughout the info. Quality stuff. I think the book was written in the 6th or 8th ??? century. It's the point I'll start my search when I'm up to it. Cheers Mike. P.S. Ron, I sent you a PM. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi Oliver Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Gidday MikeG, welcome to the forum, I am a newby too. I live in victoria as well, and carve outside at home as a sculptor( yes it is hard to turn off isnt it), and know about weather constrictions. I converted an old garage into a carving workshop , in relation to doing design work, small stone carving with a dremel unit ,and bone carving. great to hear about your tongan friend. I learnt basic bone carving while on a holiday in new zealand. the celtic designs look brilliant in bone. google a new zealand website ( which I think is called ) Stone and Bone carvings, and it will show you a great lot of inspiration. the preparation of the bone to carving material , can be ardious, but it is REALLY worth it. go for it , start something , and feel the magic of carving. have a good weekend Naomi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeG Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Thanks Naomi for the encouragement. My wife finally clicked on what I'm up to tonight .......... she thought I was going nuts (a candidate for the looney bin as she put it) for the last few days or so, the butcher still thinks I may be going nuts and the dogs are annoyed they're not getting the bones. ha ha. I've kept it pretty quiet and have'nt let on to anyone just in case I'm no good at it. It's a small town I live in. I kept telling the wife and butcher that I need something to keep my teeth clean and strong because I'm not getting any younger and bones work wonders for the dogs. Cheers Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janel Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Thank you MikeG for the good chuckle this morning! I'll have to try the bones for my teeth too! I look forward to hearing about, and seeing what you get up to with your activities when you are ready to share. Janel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Anderson Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Carving is kind of addicting. Drawing was fun but I always had trouble with productivity. Not so with carving, it reminds me of trying to put together a perfect ski run, riding a dirt bike, welding or any other skill that takes focus and experience to master. Keep it simple to start with till you gain experience. You'll be shocked by the effort that goes into some projects. Please post your efforts. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeG Posted February 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Will do John, Already have bones cleaned and drying. So far the rear thigh bone seems to yeild the best in terms of thickness and length. The front (thigh ????) seems to be not so good in terms of bone for effort, but at least will be something to practice on. Another member on the forum suggested shin bone but so far haven't been able to score any of that as the butcher uses it. Next time I'm in a bigger town I'll try a pet suppliers or see what the supermarket has to offer in the pet department. I've already discovered that I can't use my wordwork bandsaw to cut the bone ..... it snaps the blades, so I've gone on to the good old fashioned hacksaw for cutting to size prior to drying out. Cheers Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JP Anderson Posted February 28, 2010 Report Share Posted February 28, 2010 Mike, Starting out your short on materials. Soon you have a shelf full of materials and so little time. I haven't tried bone but it's on my shelf along with a nice little whitetail deer antler I happened across at the local thrift store. Small scale carving is not going to break you buying materials. I'm able to scrounge most anything but did buy small selection of hardwood a week or two back. For $16 US dollars I picked up a chunk of black walnut that will make dozens of tool handles, a similar chunk of spalted maple and 2 foot piece of bass wood the guy nicely lopped off a huge plank. Till now my wood has all came from a woodworking buddy's scrap plies. Good luck with gold prospecting. OZ and Montana have a lot in common. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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