Carving 2014, Aug27, update

[Rockrangers]

Your Fire agate dragons are really cool Kurt. the agate suits them well.

[mehoose]

Wow Kurt, lovely works. Quite partial to wolf, miner and first first kiss.

[asianfire]

Wow Kurt, lovely works. Quite partial to wolf, miner and first first kiss.

Thank you so much. Nice to have you back. Have not seen you on OA either for quite some time. 

[asianfire]

Have left the Guatemalan Jade behind for a while. Still don't know how to frame them.


So now lets start with the intended project for the contest. If this does not work out, will still be able to return to the Guatemalan.
This now, is Australian Cowell material, so its accepted as the current 3rd. category for Black Jade (Actinolite)

As required in the rules, we are supposed to have a few pictures showing us actually working the piece. Here at my usual workstation, while getting the first head into preform. Not getting any younger, so glasses have become a permanent feature while cutting. :) .


Quite like how this material cuts. Its much softer (it seems) as my previous attempts, and looks like to hold edges well.
Here is slab, preform, and first preforms of the head. This material cuts very different from any other jade I have worked previously. Much more dust, soft and hard spots, in general much easier on the blades/burrs. I think somehow, its fibers must be finer than the Guatemalan or other material that I cut previously. Could be the Actinolite that people are talking about handling different from regular jade material. But then again, this is only the fifth try in any form of jade or nephrite and only the third material......


And that's where I'm today: Step 2. Deepening and placing of hands. This design will have only 3 hands. Two holding the pipe, and the third holding on to the frame. The reason for the third hand will only become apparent when everything is done and will be an important part of the overall story.


There will be a few more pictures till the face and hands are done, but after that the project will fall silent. There seem to be about 40 contestants right now, yet only about 5 seem to chat at all. Everyone else is keeping everything a secret it seems. So when I start framing the girls, I shall do the same to keep some surprises up my sleeve. If someone is really interested in the process as it goes along, just tell me in a PM, and I will keep posting through the PM system to individuals.

[mehoose]

  lookin good!
Yes, I just have these wee spurts of commenting on forums now.

[Sampson]

Looking good so far Kurt.  Your carving location looks like it could use a cushion or at least a chair back to lean agains every now and then.  But it goes to show that if you have the will that you can do some pretty nice carvings without a huge workshop setup.  Keep it up, looking forward to seeing them when they are done.

[asianfire]

But it goes to show that if you have the will that you can do some pretty nice carvings without a huge workshop setup.  

As you have perfectly shown with your own wonderful pieces. 

[39don]

Looking good so far Kurt.  Your carving location looks like it could use a cushion or at least a chair back to lean agains every now and then.  But it goes to show that if you have the will that you can do some pretty nice carvings without a huge workshop setup.  Keep it up, looking forward to seeing them when they are done.

With the ending results of all of his carvings so superior Mr Patience has all he amenities he needs. As we age though that could change such as the eye glasses.

I'm pulling for you Mr Patience.........

[asianfire]

Thank you Don, will see how far patience takes me. I certainly will not take the usual route to get the finish-line.



After this, things become fairly obvious, so this will be the last picture of this project for the time being. And yet, I just had a major change of mind yesterday, that will change the whole story for those two gals. :) :) 

[mehoose]

I love it as is..even the back is way cool!

[asianfire]

Ok, has been a busy summer this year. At times get barely 3 hours on the machine per week. Plus I'm really stuck on the black jade as I cant decide how to create the figure between the girls.  So everything is in slow motion. Did not stop though as I went back to my usual fall-backs; Fire Agate.

After struggling with peeling and crumbly parts, I finally got the legs of the bug to show and can declare this piece reasonably finished. Still needs to go to 50K diamondpaste, final polish and drilling a hole for cord.





Also done this past weeks, some New Zealand Jade. Needed some practice in curves.


Had been rubbing some Australian Black Opal

Got this one as preform, but still not finished

Carving blanks after cleaning up




And still progressing in polishing a shell in preparation of having something set into the opening.


I still don't have the inspiration to continue with the black jade, so for me now its onward to a new project: The smallest challenge yet. The baby will be at about 10 x 18mm.


Have a great week everyone, Kurt

[Rockrangers]

I cant get that original thought out of my head I mentioned to you, but I do see the bug in a house now.
Your black jade carving, sure does have something very appealing to my eye. Cant seem to figure out what yet, but it'll come to me.
Nice work on the curves!

[39don]

For not much carving time you are quite productive Kurt.

As far as practicing curves that finished piece of jade is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!


39don

[christopherl1234]

I love that jade also and look forward to seeing how the fire agate comes out!!

[asianfire]

I love that jade also and look forward to seeing how the fire agate comes out!!

The FA has come out top 6 that I have here. So I'm very happy with that one. Question is, if I can get the carving right. Regardless, the fire is and will be safe. :) :)