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Author Topic: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update  (Read 5834 times)

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Asianfire

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2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« on: February 09, 2015, 01:56:08 AM »
Hi there, sorry was absent for prolonged period of time due to school-projects and my addiction to Fire Agate.  :LOLOL:

Now, got a bit more time coming up, and got started on a new project today.

Last years main undertaking was the Jade contest and with luck, I fared quite alright.

This year, I would like to step it up a little and move into an even more competitive event. Past entries at http://www.iojdaa.com.au/ are an eye-opening experience to behold.

I have neither the quality of stone, nor the experience in/with this material to really contemplate a chance of commendations, but I think its an ideal challenge to try and step up.

Don't have a picture of the actual rough from last year, but here is the carving blank as prepared and progress on first day.

And my plan for tomorrow


Great to be back cutting something that does not take months.  :D
Thanks for looking, Kurt
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wampidy

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2015, 06:26:33 AM »
Starting to look good but it looks like a tough piece to work with.

Good luck and good to see you back.
Jim
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Enchantra

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2015, 06:43:15 AM »
That Opal looks like a great piece with a lot of fire points.  However I see areas where it also might give you a few headaches.  If anyone can carve it though, it's you.  I have faith in you Kurt.   :headbang:
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Asianfire

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2015, 06:45:45 AM »
Yeah, 270 degree + visibility can be a pain. Just one angle off, and nothing works.  :icon_scratch:

I rather do things in the round as it gives better accessibility. But this is the material I got, and I want maximum surface - cover out of it. So if something does not work out (as example) while thinning out from the back in the end, I still got enough material left for gaining some form of balance.
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Asianfire

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2015, 06:49:05 AM »
Dear Amanda, I'm afraid not much going on in regards to flashes. There is only one spot (lucky I was able to preserve it just above the fin) with green yellow flash. The rest is Neon-blue, so not very desirable when it comes to opal. But regardless, I personally like the blue and I'm fascinated by it every time I notice the play of colour.
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Enchantra

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2015, 08:51:50 AM »
Even neon blue is pretty.  It's still good material.   :headbang:
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MrsWTownsend

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2015, 10:39:50 AM »
That is going to be soooo pretty!
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Asianfire

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Re: WIP for 2015 Opal challenge
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2015, 02:33:04 PM »
Quote from: MrsWTownsend on February 09, 2015, 10:39:50 AM
That is going to be soooo pretty!

Thank you. Hope so. Lets see how it works out. Should be ready for details coming weekend. 
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Asianfire

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge 2nd day update
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2015, 05:14:41 AM »
 I ruined a lot of different types (not expensive stuff) for many years since I started in this Hobby. Up until summer last year I was set in my mind that opal is not for me as I would just waste it. Then along came this material......

Yes, things can still go wayward, but so it does with every material.... Saw two fractures at the edge of the piece that I will have to get out, but other than that I think it worked quite well. The only real worry I got right now is when it comes to thinning out from the back........

Here is an update from yesterdays second day on the wheels.

And in water to have the colour come alive. Hope to see those colours again in a couple of weeks when fully polished up. :)


I'm told not to show entries around too much before the judging is done (will have to re-read the rules), so this is probably the last show and tell until after the event. But one thing I'm thinking of right now is to give her a second arm and a sea-creature to accompany her.
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Enchantra

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge 2nd day update
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2015, 05:54:24 AM »
Quote from: Asianfire on February 11, 2015, 05:14:41 AM
But one thing I'm thinking of right now is to give her a second arm and a sea-creature to accompany her.

I love the idea of the sea creature!    :headbang:
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Asianfire

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2015, 03:05:33 AM »
Hi there, in the absence of an answer from the organizer about publicly showing progress of our pieces, I will continue to show it on forums, for those who voiced interest in the posting last week.

First picture here now after today and second in water.




Tomorrow, I hope to get the dorsal fin and second hand sorted out, plus cleaning up negative spaces.
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Enchantra

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2015, 04:23:45 AM »
I'm seeing wonderful progress.   :headbang:

I see one thing that sort of makes me look at it twice, and it could be an optical illusion.  Her body seems out of proportion with her tail and head.  It could be the camera angle causing distortion too.
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Asianfire

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2015, 05:31:32 AM »
Quote from: Enchantra on February 17, 2015, 04:23:45 AM
I'm seeing wonderful progress.   :headbang:

I see one thing that sort of makes me look at it twice, and it could be an optical illusion.  Her body seems out of proportion with her tail and head.  It could be the camera angle causing distortion too.

 :icon_sunny: Needs some adjusting, Yes. But if you look at the picture (set of 3) you can see her arm, shoulder and neck, then its not too much off. Plus remember the picture in the original post with the explanations? There you can see what you cant in recent pics, the tail is longer than what appears in a head on shot.   :DRUNKS: :LOLOL:
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MrsWTownsend

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2015, 04:56:49 PM »
That is going to be BAD ARSE!!!
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Phishisgroovin

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Re: 2015 Opal challenge Feb 17 update
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2015, 05:09:04 PM »
wow, i wish i still had my little wood carving tools
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