I will explain the history of the art of scrimshaw from early whaling to modern. I explain the materials used and the laws governing the materials. Guests will be shown examples of all materials such as whale teeth and woolly mammoth ivory as well as several 19c original sailor made artifacts such as a whalebone fid, clothes pin and sailmakers seam rubber.
We then will take a studio tour of my work space where I will show guests how to prepare materials for engraving. We will sand and polish
an antique piano key ivory so it is ready to engrave. Afterwards I will demonstrate the art of engraving step by step before instructing guests how to make their own piece of scrimshaw. You will leave with a finished piece along with a small bag of ancient mammoth ivory, a scribe and ink to continue creating scrimshaw at home.
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