May31 - June4 Scrimshaw Learn the Art of Scrimshaw one-on-one with Jim Stevens. You do not need an interest in gunsmithing to take this course. The techniques taught are the same for anyone wanting to learn how to create beautiful scrimshaw. An intensive, hands-on, two-week course taught by artist, sculptor and scrimshander Jim Stevens. TOOL LIST The most expensive item on the following list is less than $40. I have purchased everything on the list and spent about $100. All the items are small enough to carry in your luggage (don‘t pack liquids or aerosol cans) but it is still easier to buy what you can from the College supply store. Everyone will be given time on our first day to go to the supply store and purchase materials. The College has a first-class tool, art and office supply store on campus. It is called ―The Trek-Inn Bookstore‖, phone 719-846-5610. Their prices seem to be equal to or less than prices on the outside. Also, buying at the school store can definitely save you a lot of shopping or packing time. You can even give them a call ahead of time and let them know what you need so you can be assured they will have what you want when you arrive. If you already have any of these items, bring them. There‘s no need to repeat your purchases. Where to buy, source index:
(You can always order materials from the internet if you prefer.)
a, =School Store
b, =Your local art store, jewelry supply store or hardware store
c, =Your local supermarket
d, =Your local department store (like Walmart or Kmart
Source Amount Item
a, b 1 X-Acto knife handle (with rubber grip if you prefer)
a, b 1 X-Acto blades #11 (a 5-pack)
a, b 1 Small tube of Speedball Black oil base block printing ink
a, b 1 Small tube of Speedball White oil base block printing ink
a, b 1 Small tube of Ivory Black artist‘s oil paint
a, b 1 Drafting or mechanical pencil with fine-point HB leads
a,b 1 #2 pencil
a, b 1 Black aquarellable pencil (Derwent, Stabilo or other brand)
a, b 1 White aquarellable pencil (Derwent, Stabilo or other brand)
a, b 1 Pencil sharpener (small hand held type)
a, b 1 Roll of transparent tape (Scotch or other brand)
a, b 1 A pair of scissors
a, b 1 Small package of rubber bands, about 2-to-3 inch size
a, b 1 Eraser, pink
a, b 1 Clear plastic ruler (6 inch is fine)
a, b 1 Small can of spray adhesive
a, b 1 Small can of artist‘s spray fixative
a, b 1 Small bottle of rubbing alcohol
a, b 1 Double-End Reversible Pin Vise (one end with zero minimum capacity)
a, b 1 Small pliers
a, b 1 Small sharpening stone
a, b 1 Opti-visor, headband magnifier (see note below)
a, b 3 Sheets of #400 and #600 wet/dry sandpaper
a, b 1 Small package of .000 steel wool
a, b 1 Paper dust mask (to use while sanding and polishing)
a, b 1 Safety glasses or goggles (required in school‘s tool shops)
c, 1 Small pack of facial tissue (Kleenex or other brand)
c, 1 Packages of assorted fine point, hand sewing needles
c, 1 Small package of cotton swabs (Q-tip or other brand)
d, 1 Small flexible-neck desk lamp with a 40 or 60-watt bulb (see note below)
d, 1 6 or 9 foot extension cord for desk lamp
I will provide the following items in class:
Copy machine paper
Copy machine transparency film
Tracing paper
Carbon paper Opti-visor Notes: If you have one, bring it. For those buying one for the first time, Opti-visors come with a choice of lenses. Lens powers are designated by the numbers 3-5-7&10. A #3 lens is 1x magnification and allows you to work about 14 inches from your material. Not much bending, but frankly not much help either. A #5 is 2x magnification and allows you to work about 8 inches from your material. I find this is fine for most work. A #10 gives 3x magnification but only about 4 inches of work distance. This is great for minute details but can be hard on the back over long periods of time. I use a #5 Opti-visor lens for general work and switch to a #10 for those times when I need the extra power for very fine details. I guess the best advice I can give new buyers is to get what you think will work the best for you and what fits your budget.
Other Types of Magnification: We will talk about opti-visors, microscopes, thread counters, combination lamp/magnifiers, jewelers loupes, binocular loupes and other types of magnifiers during the course. If you already use any of these magnifiers (or another) and are comfortable and enjoy using what you have, go ahead and bring it. However, I have yet to find a professional scrimshander who has stayed with anything affordable other than an opti-visor (or similar product) for very long.
Lighting: Our classroom has good overhead light, however you‘ll soon learn that you need additional lighting on your bench. This is why a desk lamp is on the materials list. Your lamp should have a flexible neck and use a regular incandescent or low power tungsten bulb. What you want is a lamp whose shade can be positioned at a very low angle to the bench, with the back of the lamp pointed towards you while reflecting light off the material you are working on.
Other comfort items: (Not required but nice. Bring them if you can.)
Cardboard box (or equal) for your tools and supplies
Notebook and pen (For taking notes during discussions)
Seat cushion for your stool (they are hard)
Three old hand towels (to pad the work and your elbows and wipe your fingers)
Tools and/or supplies you already have
Artwork and pictures
A file folder
Scrimshaw materials: The Scrimshaw materials fee is $12. This covers the cost of ivory materials for all your projects as well as Tagua vegetable ivory nut and black buffalo horn for practicing reverse scrimshaw (white artwork on black background). I will have all these materials on hand when you arrive. For our final project, however, you will need to purchase and bring with you the material you want to use. If you do not bring your own material for your final project, you may select from what I will have remaining on hand.
Scrimshaw material for your final project:
Call the Boone Trading Company at 1-800-423-1945 and request a catalog. Or you can go online to review their materials. Their web address is: http://www.boonetrading.com/.
Go to their ―Scrimshaw Findings‖ page. Your final piece can be a belt buckle (BB series), pendant (SF-55 series), or money clip (SF-44.5). Please make your project one of these three items with the ivory already fitted in the finding. (Do not have walrus ivory inserted in the finding as this is not a good ivory for scrimshaw.) I recommend a flat ivory blank rather than a domed cabochon, since domed cabochons are harder for beginners, but if they only have a domed cabochon on hand for the item you want, don‘t worry. If that is the case, it will still be okay. Also, for pendants, don‘t order a very small piece, since these are also harder for beginners. Try to order a pendant in the 40mm or 30mm size range. When finished, your pendant will make a beautiful necklace.
When you talk to the Boone Trading Company, tell them you are taking my course and remind them that you need the ivory already fitted in the finding for what you are ordering.
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