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Dear Celtic Stonecarving Student,
The Celtic Designs we will be using are from line drawings and some 60
photocopies of archaeological artifacts of the La Tene period of Celtic Art,
circa 500 B.C. to 100 A.D.
These are not the
forms of interlaced Christian Art from the Book of Kells from the 10th Century
A.D., but an earlier more fluid style, with an emphasis on the animal, vegetal
and human aspects of Celtic Art.
Carving in various types of stone, we will employ these motifs of the ancient
craftsmen, and obtain remarkable results in a short period of time.
A
SUGGESTED LIST OF THINGS TO BRING.
(You are not required to purchase these items, but they are suggestions both for
your safety and enjoyment during the class.)
Tools: For
any tools that you bring, I suggest that you put some form of identification
such as colored tape, or paint, and keep an inventory - as we share some tools -
and we want to make sure you have what you brought at the end of the class.
There are four different styles available.
Stones: The stone we use costs approximately $2.00-$4.00/pound, so your
costs will vary according to your project(s).
If
you have a favorite design and would like to carve it, PLEASE BRING IT WITH
YOU.
If
you have any specific inquiries you wish to make you can contact me at the
following addresses or call:
Eadhmonn Ua Cuinn
161 Delaware Ave.
Elkins, WV 26241
304/637-6115
We
will be offering the use of "Reciprocal Hammers" as well for the class-to
minimize the time for "roughing out" work.
The
following link will take you to the site in order to purchase these tools:
http://www.enasco.com/prod/ProductDetail?sku=9721857&title
or you may call 1-800-558-9595 to purchase the
“Alabaster Carving Set.”
Tools and Material Sources
For Celtic Stonecarving
Note: This is a suggestion as to some sources and suppliers, and should not be
construed as a mandate to purchase any item from any firm, as you may find other
sources or suppliers with similar items at much different quality or prices.
New Tools:
I will provide a specially-sharpened stone carving tool for a fee of about
$20.00-$25.00 instead of commercially available minarettes.
Alternative Sources:
Although both minarettes and rifflers are invaluable tools to the process we
employ in shaping or carving the stones, you may want to explore alternative
tools, we suggest old files and rasps, small-handled wood carving chisels,
gravers, needle files,- flea markets and yard sales are a good source for
locating old tools and are usually much cheaper and better than the steel being
used in today's files.
Stones:
I usually try to purchase the highest quality stones for our students, and
charge the cost per pound and shipping charges that I pay for it. During the
last class I sold every piece available. The prices range from about $1.10 per
pound to $2.75 per pound, and sometimes I'm able to get some real bargains from
my suppliers.
Alternative Sources:
The way to test a stone for its use in carving, is to take a good rasp or file,
and work a section of it - if you can make a good impression in the stone in a
short period of time, then it is good to use, if not, forget it. "Serpentine" is
one stone to be avoided as it is a natural form of asbestos. I recommend that
you check with your local geological society, rock shop, etc., to see what you
may have locally.
Reference sources:
“Celtic Art, Methods for Stonecarving” - I suggest that you find college and
urban libraries as an excellent source for designs and patterns, by photocopying
the ones you would like to carve. The following is a list that contains
photographs and line drawings that I often employ.
“Celtic Art - From It's Beginning To The Book of Kells,” by Ruth and Vincent
Megaw, $24.95, Thames & Hudson, ISBN 0-500-27585-8, 1989.
“The Celts” - by Wenceslas Kruta, $85.00, Rizzoli Publications ISBN 0-
8478-1407-6, 1992.
I
would like to emphasize that libraries are an invaluable source for photocopying
patterns and designs, and much less expensive than purchasing expensive and
hard-to-find books.
We
urge you to PLEASE BRING THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT OUTLINED IN THIS CLASS LETTER.
Thank You. See you at Augusta,
Eadhmonn Ua Cuinn
161 Delaware Ave.
Elkins, WV 26241
304/637-6115
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