Stormcarver
 
 
I started on the translucent mini Calla Lilies last night. I had cut the stone for a number of minis a couple days ago.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Translucent Alabaster Mini-Callas This time, instead of trying to put the petal curves into the initial outline, I just put in the main shape of the top surfaces. I also learned with the first Alabaster lily that the body shape is better to start after I have that top surface shaped out. So, this time, I didn’t waste any work and have left that part for later. All images are the physical and intellectual property of Barbara Minnick, aka Stormcarver. Unauthorized use prohibited. This stone, while fairly soft to carve, is incredibly dense. It grabs the knife edge more stubbornly than any stone I have worked with yet. It also comes away very slowly because of this. Short, quick strokes and longer strokes with some muscle behind them take away the same amount of stone. The translucent quality of this stone is amazing, even solid. It just seems to grab and filter the light. Just beautiful!
After working with the last alabaster and beginning this one...tiny pieces just fly as I am carving. At night, I have a well-lit spot where I carve inside, and am gonna have to apply the vacuum all over that area, including my pc, very generously to get rid of the millions of tiny white bits lying around. (Either that, or J is gonna kill me soon!) I don’t know if I will get through all 9 pieces I have cut before I get bored, or if I will go back and complete another Pipestone rose to mix things up. But have thought that, as these are so small, I will likely work them a couple at a time. Have to go get the oldest kiddo from school (Saturday program to help his grades), then will tackle the cleaning and get to carving these two. Looking forward to it!../Stone%20Main.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0