Now anyone who knows my mother knows that she gets up to all sorts. At 81 she does aquaerobics twice a week, walks the hills twice a week, crafts, she did pottery for some years and is now just about to move house for the first time in 40 years so that she is nearer to her latest hobby - Woodcarving
When I said I would join her today for a talk at the Lancashire & Cheshire Woodcarvers meeting I certainly did not expect to enjoy myself as much as I did. The speaker, Nick Pantibles originally from Cyprus is a member of the group and his talk was on BONE CARVING. What on earth is that about I thought .......
Did you know that bone carving started with New Zealand fishermen of old. Here's a few things Nick told us about it and some of the things he brought along.
The bones used are from different animals such as cow, dog and buffalo. Teeth from hippo and whale. Firstly they are split in two then left to boil in water for two hours to allow the oil and meat to come away.
To colour them tea, coffee, onion skins and tobacco can be used.
To shine them after the carving is done toothpaste, brasso and Jiff cleaner can be used.
These are my favourite and the method to create them is called SCRIMSHAW. Its engraving on whale bone done in old times by the sailors. They coloured them with ash from lamp soot, berry juice & tobacco juice.
Here's a book on the subject if anyone is interested further.
and here is a link to the
Now that was something different for a Saturday afternoon wasn't it and no I am not tempted to join but I do admire the members and their craft.
