Where was I?.....

So, I've not posted anything since November 2013 but it is not because I have not been doing anything art-wise. I'll tell you what happened...Facebook happened, in a big way. I found it easier and quicker to just post pictures of what I've been doing on FB. Also, I pulled up stakes, retired and moved to a new community and resettled into a new life. So this blog got neglected.

I have completed a few projects while retired, which have yet to be posted but I have also been working on my deck, maintenance around the house - and then - out of retirement working at the hospital in my old profession.

And this blog, which is about the stories behind my artwork and craftwork is about to get more postings as well - but no promises as to when....

Yeah, I'll be busy and it will take time.

Three Norns Drinking Horn

In Norse mythology, the three Norns are the spinners of one's destiny.  See Wiki's definition

I posted an image of the horn on my Facebook page and one of my friends queried, "Three Norns?" and so I chose that as the name. In actual fact, the three faces are inspired by embroidery on the Mammen cloak as this hairy necked gentleman is displaying. The serpents are inspired by the rune stones of the Viking Period.

Although the carving stands out pretty well against the blackness of the horn I wanted to add some colour, so I painted in yellow to keep the contrast.

Oseberg Blowing Horn

This is a commissioned piece by a fellow in Chicago who really liked my first horn of the same name. So I went about making another but it took a long time as I had so many projects on the go.

I started with a blowing horn I had already sanded and finished with beeswax polish. But I could never get a good sound out of it and needed to carve out the mouthpiece for better embouchure.

Next, carve the design...

Ink in the background to to bring out the design...

 Add strap.

And then I changed my mind on the strap because I didn't like it, also carved runes, so here it is now...

Coyote Pouch

I managed to acquire tanned coyote and red fox faces for my crafts. With one of the faces and some leather I made a pouch with the face glued and sewn on.

Pouch sewn and face glued

Originally, it was to be a belt pouch but I decided to make it a shoulder bag.

Finished and stuffed to give it form.

It sold at Imaginarius. I plan to make similar one but with a red fox face and different leather.

Brass Rimmed Drinking Horn

This one sold at Imaginarius.

Beautiful in its simplicity, shape. The rim is hammered design - no art but nice look to it. Beeswax lined.

Pardon the blurry pic.

STEAMPUNK SMARTPHONE CASE

Hey, this has nothing to do with viking art!

Yup, I know but I wanted to show it off. I made it specifically for Imaginarius Fantasticus III event November 16, 17, in which, I was a vendor. The theme was Steampunk so there ya go.

I tooled a multi-plate riveted look, spray-painted it copper, added gears and studs and...

It sold on the second day to someone who really, really wanted it but it was a wee bit small for their cellphone (it fit but was tight). She flipped a coin to decide to buy it. Sold!

I plan to make more cases but with norse art.

Drinking Horns for Carving, etc.

My latest batch of drinking horns are in. I'm showing a sampling of each size and type so one can get an idea.

I've been getting requests for bigger horns as well as the usual ones I sell. These horns all are polished on the outside with a food-grade varnish (same as for salad bowls). Inside, I scrub with a bottle brush and warm, soapy water, rinse and then disinfect with denture cleaning tablets. The larger horns get an initial scrubbing inside with sand from the creek (sloshing it back and forth).

Once dry, I coat them inside with melted beeswax unless someone wants it for hot liquids, in which case I coat with the varnish or leave uncoated, according to customer wishes.

Then, I can carve runes, symbols, norse art, etc. At least one of the big ones will get a rim treatment. I'll also make stands, straps and belt holsters for them.

So, here are the sample pix before they get any art or accessories (click on them to make them big);

Starting with the small ones (6-8")...


viking 'shot' glasses

We move to the medium (13-15") drinking horns. The tan coloured one is actually translucent and would make a good lantern.

 

Now for the big ones (30-35")...thirsty?



 And I have some with brass finial and rim.