BenZart...MaoriChief, Glass pendant Update Today

Thanks GMAN,
I'm sure we could work something out since no one has claimed this guy yet, PM me?

Seeks, Thanks, I'm knot quite sure I know how I did it either, I just hope I can remember long enough to do another one and maybe another one too. That #97 seems like a lot but it seems to be standing still! I started the numbering sequence when I started back carving in January of 2004, 5 years ago and with the bigbenzarts and the odd stone numbers works out to less than one every 2 weeks. Not much.
THanks,

sweet...how do you get so small? I usually need lots of mind altering concoctions. tanks yea.

i bow to the master. truly amazing. how do you do such small detail work? don't think i could ever do something that small with that much detail without going blind. great work.

bd

Wow Benz, :o I'm away for a few days and you carve another great piece. I'm telling you I see your face in this Maori Chief, and I swear that is your ear! Damn he's tiny, Great job as usual. And you seem to be right on track with this #97.. Three more to go before that #100 mark! Yippie! I hope you're feeling better, cause your work makes me think so.. Too bad he's taken, would make a nice friend for the girl. :lol:

Hey Ben, hope you are doing well! I tried to get in contact with you. Do you got my messages?
Greetings and all the best for 2009, Kai

...jesus-i didnt realize how SMALL the Chief is!!

i like how you did this guy
always got those killer tiiiny disigns too!

WHISTLE!! STOMP, STOMP,STOMP WHISTLE!

Thanks Aloufalou, , Just keep taking stuff away and he gets smaaller and smaller till you say CRAP, Why'd I do that! Oh, yeah the Other stuffs helps too. :)

Big Daddy, Thanks, Once you get used to using the Binoculars on the end of your nose then it gets easier. The hard part is when you take photos and see how bad it is and that you have Lots of Tiny cleanup to do.

T-Paka, Welcome back, I Thought it was Quiet around here for some reason. :P :D :o
Talk to mee!.

Hi Kai, No messages yet, try the PM's here, they seem to be working fine so far.

Dustin, Big Thanks, for the kind words.
How 'ya been? Are you Warm Enough?? :P

Babalu, Thanks, Sounds like a train coming through, or is that the new Whistle Stop dance you'been working on.? :D

Here's a pic of the last 2 together for size comparison.

Wow, I'm realy loving the way these two look side by side. Sweeeeeeeeeeeet! :) :) He definitely needs to escort her home in the same package. :( Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Yes he does, is that what you are saying, IF that's what you want, let me know.
Read my PM to you.

OK Benz, we're all set.. Now get to work on that next piece! No loafing around today. You must be feeling your old self now, you're a pushy old bugger! :lol: You must have been the class bully! :lol: Just kidding! :) :D :D :D

Photo opp with some Benzart!!!

man benzart those guys do make a great couple!
the detail you get on these little guys
blows me away
keep up the great work,i know it makes me
try harder on each of my tikis

On 2009-01-17 02:45, Benzart wrote:
Here's a pic of the last 2 together for size comparison.

Hi Ben, excuse me while I catch up on some fantastic work you've been doing.

So now you are grinding glass? Are you using a fordom-like unit with a diamond burr?

I think she's beautiful! (BTW: I'm glad you took off the color.)

Can you post a pic of the raw material? What's the source of the glass?

Greg

PS: We're going to Hukilau this year. I hope to see you there.

[ Edited by: tikigap 2009-01-24 17:29 ]

hey ben,

very cool that you're now using glass. are you using soda lime(soft glass) or borosilicate?

i would be cautious with cold working glass (working the glass while it is solid and cold) without later re-annealing it, as you are creating a lot of stress carving it. i wouldnt be overly overly concerned, as long as youre careful not to expose the glass to rapid temperature changes (ie washing with hot then cold water) and cause some thermal shock issues.

i havent carved any glass with a dremel in a few year, my glass working tends to be on a o2/propane glass torch making marbles.

Thanks T-Pak! " You must be feeling your old self now, you're a pushy old bugger! You must have been the class bully! Just kidding!" Love it when you say such nice things about me :o :D, Yes I Was the class bully!

Jab-Tiki Thanks for sharing that great Photo Opp.

Buzzard, Thanks, Glad you like them and if any of my stuff helps you create more tiki then my job is done for the day.

Tikigap, Thanks for the comp's, I too am Very happy the color is removed, it just went from bad to worse and had to go.
Yes, I'm using diamond burs on a flex shaft and micro machine. I found really Tiny "Dental" burs on eBay fairly cheap and they work Great for tiny detail.
The glass is from "Aquarium Stones" bought from Pet Smart or one of the big box pet shops. They are labeled "Made of glass, Made in China" and they come in several colors. The small bag I bought was on clearance with No tag so I didn't know what it was at first but the Color grabbed me. I later went to another store and found them again. They have a crystal clear resin coating on them which I had to remove first. Here are a few shots. The swirl marks were the first hint that they were glass.

YES, We'll see you at HUKILAU!

s!q Thanks, I know not What kind of glass this is except that it was "Made in China" and had a resin coating on it. Hopefully it will be cool as I have not exposed it to any extreme temp changes.

"i break the walls
and kill us all
with holy fingers" I'd hate to see those holy fingers coming My way! :o :P

myspace

[ Edited by: Benzart 2009-01-28 10:51 ]

Hey Benz, what's on your mind with these little glass pieces? Hint please!

T-Pak, I have no plans for any of them yet. They will become whatever someone desires! :lol:

I can't believe you carving glass now Ben!!! And in such minute detail too?? :o
what, wood's too easy these days?

BEN You are truly amazing. I am inspired to try some small carving some day. When I am on I-95 driving past your part of town I give you a wave !!! BUFFBAD

Geez, I've been away for too long! Great stuff Benz!!

Hey Benz, save me a couple of those glass stones. When my ship (next) comes in, maybe I'll have you do a couple of flower earings to go with that Flower in the girls hair. I can always glue them on to some clip ons. :wink:

Nothing like a set! :D

Missin' a Benzart fix. Have those glass pieces shown you what they want to become yet?

I hope your focusing on other stuff!!!

Harro, yes it seems that glass got in my way one day and I had to go through it. Still love wood and stone and bone and Jade but they all pull in Different directions.

BuffBad, Thanks for the kind words.. When you are driving past my area on I-95, Pull off and come on down for a visit. I''ll be happy to show you around the shop and explain some of the tools to you.
C'mon Down..

Thanks T-Freak, You Never know what you'll be missing if you stay away too long from here. Thanks for the kind words.

Johnny, Not yet, they're just sitting there tempting me. I'll get you a fix working soon!

Bump!

Come on Benz, I know you're working on something. Let's see! Pretty, pretty, please..
Hope you're feeling better.

Hey there Benzboy, what's up? Have you started a new thread that I've missed or something? :( Are you feeling up to snuff yet? How's the weather down there? It suck's up here.. R U in here somewhere? HELLO, ANYBODY HOME? :(

[Over the hill and scraping my way up the other side, but I'll be damned if I'm going down with out a fight!]
MYSPACE

[ Edited by: tikipaka 2009-02-20 01:51 ]

Benze, i have been guilty of the same thing that you last left a message under my thread last year about not crossing over to the other side of creating tiki. Just now getting caught up on your thread, the pebble maori is beautiful. There is so much going on under the two divisions of creating its hard to break away to the other side. Gonna spend the next hour checking out carvings. Looking forward to seeing what you gouge into next!
p.s. congrats on breaking the 100+ pages of beautiful work and shared knowledge, embarrassingly last i checked in i think you were somewhere around 70 something

for the earliest scoop on new Ocea Otica works http://junkhaulersjunk.blogspot.com/

[ Edited by: OceaOtica 2009-02-26 00:07 ]

Where is the Benz?? :(

Benz is still Here, just haven't been carving awhile. Once I get over this stubborn bug, I'll be back at it.
Thanks T-pak for the kind words, the funny words and the encouraging words as well as the other ones thrown in too. :o :D
OceaOtica, Thanks for stopping by "This Side" I know how hard it can be :D Thanls for the props and kind words. I LOVE your new bowls, especially the "Modern Maori" and your 'Zombi" mugs look too Realistic and Awesome. :) :lol:
BigT, Thanks for wondering. I'll be back soon with some new stuff and a New thread as this one has gone past the 100 page cut-off mark.

Stay tuned for some new Benzart goodies! THANKS Everyone.
HAPPitY HAPPitY HAPPitY

I'm stayin' tuned. Get well soon Mr. Wizard!

get well soon benz. i'm sure there is a whole lot of pent up energy gathering there. quick question, where can i find hook knives? and i promise to be more careful than with my chisels.

bd

Thanks Digger, it Can't be long now!

Thanks big daddy, OK, If you Promise to be careful you can get the hook knives
HERE and the blades you want are the #10b. There are several different blade styles to choose from and 3 or 4 hook blades to choose from, but the 10B works the best for the hooks.

myspace

[ Edited by: Benzart 2009-02-27 11:25 ]

hey benz, thanks for the info on the knives. started carving a small piece and i've been using an exacto knife and the edge of my chisel, think the hook knives will be better. once again thanks for the info.

bd

Benz, my man! I for one am GLAD to see you rest a bit. You have constantly been a carving monster (carvasaurus maximus) here on TC. And you need a little muscle relax time, recharge batteries etc. And also, I won't feel so GUILTY of non-producing around here!
:drink:

Get well soon Ben!

Amy

Big B!!! I hope you're feeling better - I can't wait to see what you have in store. My jaw drops at everything you produce and I'm sure the future pieces will be no different!

Come on, come out from here you are hiding... what's going on up there? Sending some Antartic power your way, I know you like it :) but if you don't come out to play with us, is going to freeze your butt :)

:tiki: Oly Oly oxen free! Come out, come out, where ever you are. Tag and your it Benz..

Drum roll please.

Come on, your fans and friends are waiting.. :lol:

That had better be a BIG ASS TIKI you're carving right now.. :wink: :wink:

Big Daddy Thanks, and be Careful with those knives. No problem, if you have any ?'s I can answer just ask!

Surfin, Thanks but you can't use Me for an excuse for not working, I'm just lazy, Get to WORK! :o

Amy, Thanks so Much, Glad to see you hanging around more. :)

Pollyackackack, Thanks for the kind words I think I'll be posting a couple pieces next week or Maybe today?

Clarita,, Thanks, Anything but the Freezing butt stuff I hate the cold you Know that and you're using that just to Scare me right? :D :o
I'll be around a bit more here soon, thanks again.

Thanks T-pak and No it izzint a big ass tiki but a Small one I'm working on and I'll show you all Soon.

Wee Benz is BACK! Man the place is not the same without you.

On 2009-01-17 02:45, Benzart wrote:

Good lord! Amazing. I know alot of American glass blowers. Should I get them working on some faux ivory and greenstone blobs for you? -HH

BTW, what's new in pipeville? Hmmmm... :roll:

Thanks Hank, it might be Nice to carve on some Real glass instead of the China crap. Haven't done much carving at all recently but am geting back into the swing. Maybe pipes soon! Cheers

:D :D Well Benz, I know I was supposed to post a picture a while back.. But you know me, I never do what the teacher tells me. I have to keep up my Class Clown image. :lol:

So here we are at the Mai Kai sporting our lovely BenZart works of art! 8)

Your work is just incredible Benz!
Lots of respect!

Thanks for Finally posting this T-Pak!!

El Stingray, Thanks for your kind words, Much appreciated :P

Holy Christ Ben! You didn't show me those when I was around. The hula girl is fabulous!
Sometimes it's hard to look at you as inspiration because when I see some of your work I just want to put away my tools forever.