Hello from Belgium

[Jessica]

I recently introduced myself on the INS forum and just now realised that I never introduced myself here.

I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Jessica 
I've been carving for about 8 or 9 years now. Mainly to while away the hours (at work), working as a nightwatchman.
I started by carving any sort of wood I could get, carving with a stanley knife I ended with lots of cuts and a few nasty stabs.
Then I passed over to bone carving. Over time and with some helpful friends I met through facebook I started to gain some better materials & tools. I've only really started to "see" netsuke after I acquired a lot of boxwood, while looking into the qualities of wood. I carve anything that my mind wonders of into. I have much to learn, but it wouldn't be fun if I didn't


The first is a kagamibuta, made with two toned chacate preto and a bone lid. 
Second, a little carp that started as a bas relief and ended more into a high relief, my first attempt to inlay amber eyes. 
Sanding still needs to be completed.
Third, we had a Buddha & Mind exhibition last year that led me into trying a simplified posture and expression. Remains unfinished for now.

Fourth, a little sleeping shiba inu. 
Few weeks ago I was walking my dog and we ran into one that had left his owner in the dust. Him and mine made good friends straight away and we where able to rejoin with the owner. I came into work and carved this little piece. There's still some more shaping and sanding to be done, but it's almost finished.

The last piece is based on a dried leaf that grabbed my mind and gave me sleepless nights, it's not where I'd like it to be. I'm actually unhappy about it, but there's lesson to be learned for me.

Skulls are always there in between everything else, something of a safe shape I can experiment with at a whim.
Thank you for looking, comments are always welcome

[Jim K Jordan]

I really like the fish and the dog really has personality.

Good work.

I understand about the leaf being stuck in your head.

Some things just gotta be made to have any peace of mind.

Jim

[Ed Twilbeck]

Good carvings the fish is fantastic ,the fox is really cool, leaves are tough have some not finished on my bench some where, they look cool and so tempting in there natural dried twisted delicate state, that we just can't get thin enough out of wood to be there. I have made several into pendants for necklaces finished one side. Thanks for showing us your works.

This is a leaf I added to a box top.