What should I make out of this here rock?
This is 5 pounds of soapstone. Yes, I realize that it is actually two rocks, but one of them is for the neighbor boy. We are carving rocks together as part of our art class. I had really forgotten how much I totally love this. The feel of a big hammer in your hands, the pounding and the violence of the steel, diamond-tipped tools…I love it all. I really haven’t done much of this at all, just two pieces a couple years ago. I took this great class with my mom one summer. Here is what I made:
That is white alabaster. I gave it away and I am so pissed that I did, but who needs 40 pounds of alabaster around? Still, I made this huge thing, it was totally hard, and I sort of wish I still had it.
Here is another pic that shows the shininess:
I read somewhere that the hardest thing to make from stone is a perfect sphere, so I am considering giving that a try. It won’t be PERFECT of course, but I am going to go for the round shape and see where that takes me.
In other news, I knit my first object without a pattern. I mean, I guess you knit scarves without patterns all the time, but this was unique for me. Remember that fancy camera that we are giving to Francis? I made a bag for it. I am totally proud of myself.
I am taking suggestions here. Whatever I make needs to be kind of smallish, but cool!
7 Comments, Comment or Ping
Cute! Now are you taking suggestions on what to knit, or what to carve out of stone? The sphere sounds a bit boring, no? What about you carve it into a different shaped rock?
May 28th, 2009
I don’t know what kind of shape the stone should be, but how about having your kids as inspiration and go from there.
May 28th, 2009
Ohhhh, coool. I don’t think I’ve seen the alabaster carving before. It’s lovely – nautical and prehistoric. Just looking at it, I want to touch it!
And, cool bag. I tried knitting a few times this winter. I ended up wanting to stick the needles in my eyes! I found it really really painful, so I’m super impressed with the bag.
Whatever you do, I’m sure it’ll be great!
May 28th, 2009
How about a sweater?Something light and springy. (ha, ha)
I think you should do a face to put in your garden- if this stone can go in the yard. The grumpy old man face was so great…
May 29th, 2009
how about a chicken bust. Like just the head mount of a chicken. Kinda comical.
And you could knit a pencil case. You would need to line the inside though with fabric probably. But it would keep your pencils nice and warm.
May 29th, 2009
I say just study the stone and let it dictate the direction….. I’m seeing some sort of sitting animal in the larger stone and a snail type creature in the smaller…. set them free!
May 31st, 2009
Mom, it is a big joke around our house to mimic our woo-woo carving teacher from that summer. Every question we asked he answered, “THIS is precious. THIS. Right here. Right now.”
Oh…. Okay. Thanks.
I like that Kirstin seems to be suggesting that I carve a sweater and Laura thinks I should smash the hammer into the rock using my kids as inspiration. Both good thoughts.
May 31st, 2009
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