Work @ home - make big bucks - carving IVORY! (Anchorage: buy, shops)

[SityData]

[SityData]

Another small piece of mastodon. Notice the ever present cracks that will split the ivory once it is cut. Working with mastodon is a challenge in that you have to be creative in order to make use of the odd size pieces you are left with.




These are the pieces that were pictured earlier all four pieces ready to slice off. This is what Jesse is going to use to make his next bracelet.




Another recent purchase from Alaska Fur Exchange. E-mail these people. Tell them how much you want to spend. They will send you photos of several pieces in your price range. Invest a small amount of money and buy a small inexpensive piece @ about 50 bucks. Do the simple steps and you will make back $500 bucks. It is always ten times the invested amount in profit(s).




We like to use very large pieces of ivory to work with. You can do so much more - for a much longer period of time.





Different styles of black & White braclets.



The interesting contrast is what makes these bracelets so popular

Vica Owens of NorthWest Arctic Borough says this is their #1 request for bracelets when tourists arrive every spring. she says they can't have enough of these on hand. You can sell your stuff through this place on consignment. Many times she will just pay you outright that afternoon.

[blueflames50]

what is the rouge and equipment you use for polishing?

[SityData]

The rogue ? Um we use Fabuluster & Blue Majick

Fabuluster is very hard white compound & blue majick is a blue liguid.

for polishing wheels we use a variety of 'felts' soft & medium.

We haven't tried muslim felts yet. dunno if they would provide anything different. We do get them to shine quite brilliantly and it is hard to get that shine to show in the photos.

We use the dremel tool to polish with.

[SityData]

We are headed over to the native hospital this afternoon with four bracelets.

This bracelet needs circles (ivory) and then baleen hearts inset into the black blank baleen pieces. It is all ready to drill for the bracelet cord after the inlays are placed in carefully.




Blue Magick is the only substance that is capable of getting scratches out of titanium. It is very expensive but what a shine it puts on Ivory. It is a blue liquid that smells and acts just like an old product for automobiles called "Blue Coral'. Did you know ?? Some baleen carvers use toothpaste to polish baleen with !!! Many carvers in barrow do not even polish their baleen when they display their works for sale.

[SityData]

More techniques and another bracelet is finished.

The ends are tied very tightly - the knots have super glue applied to them. The excess cord is cut off. The knot is pushed into the larger hole on the bracelet piece. Using a sharp object push the knot into the hole. If you try to pull that knot in - the bracelet piece will break. PUSH !! GENTLY. do not force it.












There are many different types of polishing compound (http://shorinternational.com/PolishCompounds.htm - broken link) available.

We have always used Fabu-Luster! We have no complaints. We make sure to keep plenty of it on hand. I will purchase a case shortly and give each of the boys six one pound tubes. That will last them a couple of years. I always try and stay stocked up on all supplies far in advance of when they will need them.













it is very obvious THIS BRACELET was never wiped down with alcohol to remove excess polish (white mark(s).).

[SityData]

The next two bracelets to be completed today (monday) by Khris & Jesse;

Mark is currently @ the Native Hospital in attempts to sell the 3 bracelets we finished this weekend.



















Hand sanding each piece takes a few minutes time. To make the insets flush with the top of the bracelet.




Jesse is in the process of adding his insets to his bracelet.

each will be posted here as soon as they are finished!!

[Captain Crunch]

Good thread...keep 'em coming !

[SityData]

Thanks for the comment Captain Crunch!!

This is quite the list of Artists recognized in the State of Alaska !!

Artists of Alaska

[Marty Van Diest]

I think people would buy it.