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Rock Art => Carvings and Sculptures => Topic started by: auscarver on October 30, 2017, 10:59:51 PM

Title: opal shells
Post by: auscarver on October 30, 2017, 10:59:51 PM
I want to share my latest shell in progress, its Lightning ridge opal, the opposite side to my other carving, also a better picture of my original carving taken with a new camera, heaps better quality, opal is a pain to photograph, I may need to do a course to improve my pictures but that would take me away doing what I like best, carving rocks.
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: hummingbirdstones on October 31, 2017, 07:33:16 AM
Looking good!   :icon_sunny:
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: edgarscale on October 31, 2017, 12:19:28 PM
really nice.  do you carve stone and wood also?
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: auscarver on October 31, 2017, 11:20:39 PM
Thanks Robin & Edgarscale, only carve gemstone, I have a property covered in wood, I may try it one day.
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: Debbie K on November 01, 2017, 06:25:49 AM
Michael:

Looking really good. I've been carving a lot of shells lately, too... great minds? I've only been using lowly quartz, citrine and amethyst. Opal is nicer.

Debbie K
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: auscarver on November 01, 2017, 11:02:59 PM
Thanks Debbie, been a while since we have talked, there are so many designs and shapes in shells, I always try to give them my own custom design.
Auscarver- Michael & Margie.
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: hummingbirdstones on November 02, 2017, 06:54:33 AM
Micheal, out of curiosity, what size is that carving?  I may dig around in my rough jars and try my hand at carving something.  It won't be anywhere near what you, Debbie and Kurt manage, but one has to start somewhere, right?   :icon_sunny:
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: auscarver on November 02, 2017, 08:50:53 PM
Hi Robin, My bottom finished shell is 47x 35 mm around 10mm thick, the top one is around 43 x 30mm aprox 8mm thick, finding reasonable priced opal is very difficult.
Title: Re: opal shells
Post by: hummingbirdstones on November 03, 2017, 06:55:20 AM
Opal prices have gone berserk.  Luckily, Vince and I have some stashed away that we've been hoarding for years.  There are some mediocre ones laying around that I can practice on before I tackle some better quality.   :icon_sunny: