[Jewelry making - Article 00558] - Re: [Orchid] Elk Antler/ Ivory/ Buttons

[Dave Sebaste]

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Hi Folks,

    A lot of the conversation on this topic has followed the line about
    the teeth, but I think the antler "buttons" are the prize!  There was
    an article I clearly remember from a 70's issue of Rock & Gem
    magazine using one, from a deer, to make a great bola tie. It could
    obviously be adapted to other projects, as well. 

    At the base of the antler, where it separates from the head, the
    antler flares out into a flower-like form that's really amazing. You
    can cut it off the antler with a hack saw, and flatten the two sides,
    ending up with a disk shape, with a wild, organic fringe on it. Sand
    and smooth the flat surfaces. Even polish with ZAM, and if desired,
    stain with shoe polish... wiping off excess after the desired color
    tone is achieved. 

    Use a gemstone template to scribe an appropriate size circle on the
    flat (previously cut) surface, and grind it out with in inverted cone
    burr, to create a vertical wall "seat" for a stone. Then use the same
    template to mark a stone to be cut for the hole. I recall the
    original project used chrysocolla... I did one last year using
    Deschuttes jasper (no photo handy :( ). The stone can be epoxied into
    place, or drill four small holes around the perimeter of the seat and
    epoxy wire prongs into place to secure the stone. Epoxy or rivet the
    appropriate finding(s) to the back side. 

    The bola tips were also made from the antler tips. A section (~1.5
    inches) is cut from the tip of the antler and the cut end ground
    smooth and flat. A short section of stone (slab thickness), slightly
    larger than the diameter of the tip, is epoxied onto the end. After
    the epoxy has cured, the stone section is ground to be like a smooth
    continuation of the antler segment, then polished. The tips were
    attached to the bola cord using a section of silver tubing that was
    cut and flared (like a squash blossom) and riveted or epoxied to the
    point of the antler tip. 

    One of the cool things about this project is that the "button" is
    obviously organic in nature, but few people will recognize what it
    actually is. I hope this helps give someone out there a creative
    "jolt!"  :) 

    All the best, 

Dave

Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans' Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave AT sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com


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