scrimshaw.com - An Ancient Art on Eco-Friendly Materials

Mystery Artist(s) – #21 – Story Bracelet

Posted on January 3, 2016January 10, 2016 by Andrew Perkins

We have a story bracelet which the owner is looking for the artist as well as other information:

“Hello, I purchased a gorgeous sterling silver and scrimshaw bracelet at the flea market today and, while attempting some research on it, I found your website. I’m hoping you might be able to help me id an artist and/or era for this. I’m not sure on the material the scrimshaw is on. I can’t find any cross hatching that would indicate ivory but also cannot find any pits to indicate it is bone. It does have some lovely curving lines often seen on ivory beads but I am not knowledgeable myself to be sure of the piece. One thing that might help identify this is it appears as if the back side of each panel was filled in with a clear resin that has darkened over the years. Not sure if that is a trait of some artist or not and not sure why it would be there other than to protect the pieces.

“Anyway, I have attached a couple of photos and have more if you need them. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.”

-Sally

The bracelet was purchased in St. Petersburg, Florida. Anyone familiar with the artist or the piece can reply below, the owner will greatly appreciate it!

Clicking on the pictures will bring up high resolution images.

Note: The numbering is off, but this one is our first Mystery Artist in 2016.

Mystery Artist #16 Found!

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

The artist’s name was Ellery Knight. Thanks to Dario for sending us the information! You can see the original post at https://www.scrimshaw.com/mystery-artist-16-knight/ and the information Dario has shared.

Some of Ellery’s other work can be seen on the following links:

Flobeds
Fold Real Money (Illustrated by Ellery Knight)
Abandoned Republic

There are several other mystery artists we haven’t been able to match, and if you have a piece of scrimshaw you’d like us to feature on our site to help you find and possibly connect with the artist, please contact us at “questions@scrimshaw.com” with the subject “mystery artist”. A good picture of the work along with a close-up of any initials or signatures helps. Also let us know where (what city/state) you found the item – scrimshaw artists are all over the states, and all over the world!

Busy busy!

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

We have been very busy with work, so much so that I haven’t had much time to scrimshaw – which is hard on me in a number of ways at this time of year. I have been able to create some Christmas gifts that I still need to wrap, and I’ve been able to sell some of the blank ivory alternative ivory bookmarks at our Paul’s Sugar House where local artisans sell their wares this time of year (hard not to spend any profits on all the wonderful artwork, pottery, ornaments, etc. there!)

In the upcoming newsletter I’ll be sharing my findings working with deer antler. I’d happened on someone who works for the highway department nearby who had some extras, so I’ll be setting about sanding some of the tips down and polishing them to scrimshaw.

Jason Webb has been busy too, with his latest scrimshaw on pre-embargo elephant ivory which is to the right. Several other scrimshanders have been busy too, and if you’d like a mention, let me know – I’ll squeeze you in when I can. Jason’s page is in chronological order, so if you scroll to the very bottom you can click on the pictures there to see nice hi-resolution images

Scrimshaw Piano Keys – Personalized

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Creating scrimshaw piano key bookmarks in two varieties: “Heads” and “Tails”. Each come with a double satin ribbon tail and either a name or initials of your choice. Available through the Etsy.com store. They’re made from piano key top replacements that are legal in all states so no one in New York or New Jersey (or California) will be exempt. I also have real ivory piano key heads and tails in very short supply, if interested and legal in your state, email me and I can create a custom scrimshaw of your choice. Click on the picture to go to the etsy.com store.

Starting a New Scrimshaw

Posted on October 25, 2015November 5, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Galalith cabochon taped behind the image of a lighthouse — Galalith taped behind the image

Finally starting a new piece of scrimshaw! It’s been awhile, and I needed something away from most of the electronics. With the phone in my back pocket and turned off so I don’t accidentally dial anyone (“Sorry, I fat – er – fingered the phone and hit your number….”). I started the lighthouse that I really liked by Dennis Jarvis (see previous post). Sadly the crashing waves to the left are off the picture, but I may take artistic license and create similar waves closer to the lighthouse itself.

I debated on whether or not to sketch it on, but with such a tight schedule I opted for the “Whaleman’s Way” – putting the “tooth” shaped piece of galalith behind the picture, securing it in place and piercing through the picture. After a few more pieces I’ll probably sketch something on a piece and go totally freehand.

lighthouse image on paper, pierced through the lines into the galalith underneath — Pierced Lighthouse

It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to get through and make an indentation. As you do more pieces you get a feel for the right amount. Most of my stipple-dots are pretty even, thanks in part to the modified Coulter Precision scribe (via Etsy). I’ve tried a steel point with another project I’m working on, though the length makes it difficult to do perpendicular dots with my current low-power microscope (if anyone wants to buy me an opti-visor for Christmas, I’ll gladly call you Santa!).

Lighthouse stippled onto galalith cabochon next to a quarter — Lighthouse initial phase completed.

Wiping away a small smear of oil paint revealed not only the lighthouse, but a small scratch that will become a distant cloud when I’m done. That’s all for tonight, back to the 12-14 hour days I currently call my week. Will post further as the lighthouse takes shape.

Clicking on the pictures will reveal them in full size.

2015-11-01

Scrimshaw lighthouse on galalith with tool to the right — Roof and lines darkened

Darkened in the roof and lines, added some initial shading to the building itself. May continue on as it’s cold and wet outside, and I need to take a break from the computer today. My hands are doing better after decorating 50+ cookies for my daughter’s school’s “Men Who Cook” event. My wife (who is the owner of hilltowncookies.com) needed help since she baked the cookies along with her mom and her hands ache more than mine making the cookies themselves. Piping the decorative icing on the cookies took about four hours, but they came out great.

Lighthouse scrimshaw on galalith with a quarter to the right to show the scale — Added some shading and started in on the shoreline.

Added more shading this afternoon and worked in the wave at the edge. Note to self: don’t make the horizon line during initial scrim – I could have had larger waves crashing if I hadn’t done that. This is going to be one of those pieces where I will go over the whole thing several times darkening areas to add more detail, then darkening other areas to balance it. It’s a good piece to get my hand and eyes back in shape, since I have a couple of large pieces coming up. I’m still debating on lines, stipples or a combination on the large piece, and I still have the Kraken ogling me to my left, so when I finish this one, he’s next!

Finally done, on a faux leather 20″ necklace. Added the clouds and the seagull, all done in stipple style with the exception of the initials. Now: on to the Kraken!