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Post by kk on Aug 12, 2013 7:54:01 GMT -5
Hi there, Recently, I saw a very attractive picture of a moth sitting on a branch at night.  Naturally, being me, I had to mess up the simplicity and give it a branch in front too.  The original idea was carving on both sides, but by then it became clear that its not that easy to get the visual effect of having the moth sitting on that branch at the back. So I consulted with DebbieK and (some of you might still know him) August Voss. Both had some very helpful advise. So today, I erased the moth in front and started experimenting with the moth from the other side. Needed to see what I'm doing, so I polished it up yet again. That's when I did not head the most important advise that Debbie gave me. Allowed the stone to become just a bit too hot on the leather, and a feathered inclusion turned into a fully-blown fracture. Does not show on the surface, but goes right through the stone and off course, had to be right through the moth.  Not giving up just yet. Erase the moth in the back, reshape and turn the branch into a tree. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 12, 2013 8:58:14 GMT -5
Ouch on that fracture, I hate it when that happens! Especially frustrates on something clear like quartz. Your persistence is refreshing! I just know that you will make it happen, you go, Kurt!
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Post by kk on Aug 12, 2013 11:19:19 GMT -5
Its my first time on anything as clear as that.
I knew I'm in trouble before I even started, but..... its fun learning something new and this material is unforgiving when it comes to anything less than perfect workmanship. Something I need to catch up on, as I got lazy recently. With other materials, its easy to say OK, even though you see that there could be improvements made.
This material will not allow it. Can hide some by frosting later, but still...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2013 15:07:19 GMT -5
It's really fun to watch your projects. Thanks Kurt.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 12, 2013 21:12:50 GMT -5
Oh man, I'm so sorry! But, I have a feeling you'll turn lemons into lemonade.  |
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Post by kk on Aug 13, 2013 0:04:52 GMT -5
But, I have a feeling you'll turn lemons into lemonade. Not lemonade, but.... how about a tree, with moon and bat in the back? Thats the idea anyhow, as of right now. |
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Post by kk on Aug 19, 2013 6:26:42 GMT -5
So now had to reshape everything'. Erase the back and front with exception of the tree. Cut the tree deeper  Add a bat, some tall grass in the back and a moon. Front and back before final polish  Next up, after full polish, I ponder if I should frost part of the tree (in accordance with the moon) and the bat (but if I do that to the bat, it has nothing to do with the moon, so there is contradiction). Before doing so, I will have to get rougher grid burrs to make the frosting better visible and permanent. In any case, the piece is an invitation to explore and find things, rather than seeing everything at once. During the final stages of sanding, I realized that if cut right, this stone might have the potential for a star. |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 19, 2013 10:11:57 GMT -5
It's really fun to watch your projects. Thanks Kurt. Scott, I think Kurt is like a mad scientist when he closes the door to the carving room. I can see Kurt in Blazing Saddles or Frankenstein movie once he gets in that room. |
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Post by kk on Aug 19, 2013 18:22:14 GMT -5
it's not that bad. Yet! But a certain level of madness is needed, to spend so much time on something so small. Where pure madness comes into play is when you think about what a consumer would think of paying for it as a fair price. No thank you, no selling for me, rather give it away.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 19, 2013 19:36:13 GMT -5
You can not sell something like that and make money until you become famous in the eyes of the rich! Or after you die.LOL
I make money in plants and metal work. And give rocks away. I wish I could make it work the other way around. But as soon as
a hobby you love becomes a business it is vulnerable to being a job.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 23:56:45 GMT -5
A wise old friend (Manny Singer RIP old friend), told me:
He was a wise man. Treated me better than my family did. I hope this is useful. It was for me.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 20, 2013 0:26:49 GMT -5
It is good. May rays of light beam forth. And may Scott tell me to shut my smart ass mouth.
in all seriousness i like Manny's wisdom.
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Post by kk on Aug 20, 2013 7:07:02 GMT -5
On finishing thus far, got one more surprise from the material. It has asterism and if cut right might produce a star. But I only got a dot moving around at the top as is, yet clearly out of alignment with a light-source. Back and front.  Angles outdoors  So, now I need to go shopping for burrs in low grids to make the frosting at the back more visible and permanent. It's really fun to watch your projects. Thanks Kurt. Scott, I think Kurt is like a mad scientist when he closes the door to the carving room. I can see Kurt in Blazing Saddles or Frankenstein movie once he gets in that room. I'm afraid its much more mundane. I rent, so space is scarce. Here is my Sanding-station, aka a third of the dining-table, usually doubling up for indoor picture-taking.  And my cutting and carving-station at the entrance to make sure the neighbors can enjoy the noise too. Plus the tools I use. Yes its a mess, but...... its my mess.  Best regards, Kurt |
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 20, 2013 9:00:03 GMT -5
There's Kurt! Dang your ugly Kurt haha just kidding. After 20 years of running a nursery of several acres and keeping up w/all my crap in 3-4 sheds and having to go 200 meters just to get a screw driver
you should be thankful to have all your stuff an arms reach away.
That looks like a top of the line engraver. I think you have to keep the dust away from you and your computer. Oh, you can wet grind w/zero dust. The back area is all tropical. Looks like a Hong Kong
patio. Looks like a simple pleasant existence. You are fortunate. Most of my mid age friends are selling to smaller houses. Downsizing.
I told my wife that this farm has paid it's way over several times so i have an attitude that it is something i can walk away from. That most of the tools/tractors/machinery/barns and whatever is
here has served well over and should stay w/the farm. But ownership of that stuff is a burden in a sort and i could lose it all and live lite. Have minimized all i do and shrunken everything down.
Basically it has been a lot of work to get to a simple lifestyle. I live frugal and travel frugal. If it can stay out in the weather it is welcome to enter the property. So steel,rock,concrete,plants,pots are
most welcome.
I am narrow in a way in that i saw/heat/collect/chip/tumble my local coral. As long as i can pick from an unending variety i am happy in my little box. Ninety percent of the coral i have collected
is now useless. I have narrowed it to only what floats my boat. And all the tumbles and jewels can fit in a few boxes-perfect.
Thanks for sharing your world Kurt.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 20, 2013 9:03:58 GMT -5
So thoughtful of you to share the noise with the neighbors, LOL! Nice work, Kurt.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 20, 2013 9:16:48 GMT -5
I bet his neighbors would let Kurt get away w/anything he wants to do. What do you think Jean?
I bet the whole neighborhood loves their Kurt.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 20, 2013 9:23:06 GMT -5
I think you're right James. They don't mind putting up with his noise, because they love to see his creations, and might possibly even be given one! Sort of a symbiotic relationship.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,603
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Post by jamesp on Aug 20, 2013 10:05:41 GMT -5
Maybe the most spoiled man in the whole territory. How many ladies stop by with chow mien to vie for his affections.
I think i need to visit him to teach restraint and self control.
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Post by kk on Aug 20, 2013 10:25:27 GMT -5
Yep, that's the cost of operating like this. Three households, got something thus far for taking an actual interest in what I'm doing. Chinese (older ones) are in general very forgiving about disturbances when it comes to art. Just imagine Karaoke. The art in that is not hearing the terrible sound most people make, yet still accepted,because its under the umbrella of "Art" and/or culture. |
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Post by kk on Aug 20, 2013 10:27:38 GMT -5
Maybe the most spoiled man in the whole territory. How many ladies stop by with chow mien to vie for his affections. I think i need to visit him to teach restraint and self control. I not even wish that were true. One family is enough trouble. Don't know how some locals can stand the nagging from their mistresses on top of homegrown troubles. You visiting, that would be fun, but.... I think you would not stand it long around the house and would be off checking out the ponds for lilies and the different species of bamboo all round the neighborhood. |
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