Post #483882 by TikiMango on Thu, Sep 17, 2009 6:42 AM

Spermy, thank you for the kind words. I dig the whale tail too.

TikiG, as always, thanks.

TheBigT, I thought it was coral when I first saw it too. I'm not sure what I can do with it, just too darn porous. One thing about bone that I enjoy is that it's dense, and that density can really take an awesome polish.

Loajia, I'm not sure I could work with a vice, but I'm willing to try anything once. Holding a piece in the hand, feeling the bone talk to me... that's a joy.

I started this piece right before my son came to visit, and just now got around to finishing it. I completed the toggle and cord this morning. I had always wanted to make a taiaha point, was just very intimidated by them and their design elements. I think I pulled it off.

I took a hint from Benzart, and decided to carve the toggle on this one. This tested my ability of maintaining symmetry, a fun challenge.

Tried a new method of attaching the cord. Normally I would have just passed a braided cord through a hole. This time I passed all the strands though, then braided each side separately with a little whipping.

Those paua shell eyes were "fun" to do. I didn't have any trouble with the left one. The right... I had to make it 3 times! As I was shaving the diameter to size my Dremel flung it across my garage and into some void (probably filled with missing socks), couldn't find them for the life of me. I think next time I'll try a dab o' glue on a stick.

Totally unrelated, I love old photos, especially if they concern the Philippines or Filipino culture. I ran across this and thought it was so great, had to share with you all.

Entire Filipino family smoking, little ones for the little ones, and huge ones for the elders. I'm pretty sure this is a good examples of a 1920-ish exploitation photo, still great though.

Again, thanks for looking!