First Pipe- something a bit different

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:31 am

Before you look at the photos, bear this in mind:
I didn't cut the shape, the stem, etc. I bought a cute but very plain little pearwood pipe, at very low $$ from a tobacco shop. It had a really strangely colored golden stain/finish when I got it, so the color you see here was a surprise for me when I sanded it down.
I would eventually like to start a pipe from scratch, but my current job is as a multi-talented artisan, with a strong focus in jewelry, carving and metalwork. So I decided to do a bit of carved modification for my first one.

I've not only carved on it, I also put in the little sterling silver spacer, which has the signature, number (#1) and the pipe's name (Spiral Dreams) engraved on it.

It's a little less "red" than in the pics. The camera/lighting skewed it just a little bit.

I'm not looking for the "purist" variety of critique. I'm well aware that this is neither traditional or perfect, but I would love to hear what you guys think of it.

(Btw, it's not for sale. I'm keeping this one.)

Thanks for looking,
LJ

PS: Anyone know what the grey/black painted in bowl coating is made of that some commercially made pipes come with? You can see a little of it in the photos.

staffwalker · Post by **staffwalker** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:48 am

I think the carving is really beautiful and excellently done. You could improve the look a great deal with a couple hours hand work on the stem with sandpaper.

bob

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 6:29 am

staffwalker wrote:I think the carving is really beautiful and excellently done. You could improve the look a great deal with a couple hours hand work on the stem with sandpaper.

bob

I've been a bit scared to touch it.
The stem is as I bought it right now, no changes.
I do like the shape of the stem, and it smokes very well, so that's part of why I've left it alone. I do think the finish on the stem could be finer.

LJ

TRS · Post by **TRS** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:06 am

Very nice carving! Kind of 'fey'...

Tsunami · Post by **Tsunami** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:19 pm

Wow! Fantastic carving, How was that done?

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:56 pm

Tsunami wrote:Wow! Fantastic carving, How was that done?

I use a Foredom flexshaft with tiny little steel dental burrs, 3M flexible sanding pads in 6 different grits, natural beeswax and a muslin buff on a 3" wheel.

If you like, you can look at more of my carving work at: www.dreamingdragondesign.deviantart.com

LJ

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:57 pm

BeatusLiebowitz wrote:Very nice carving! Kind of 'fey'...

Thanks!
The spirals are loosely inspired by the spirals on the kerbstones at Newgrange, so it's no surprise that it looks a little "fey".

LJ

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:45 pm

Considering the number of spirals you managed to get on the pipe, they all look very neat - you must have a helluva steady hand. Nicely done.

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:30 pm

Frank wrote:Considering the number of spirals you managed to get on the pipe, they all look very neat - you must have a helluva steady hand. Nicely done.

I do, but I also have a nice flexshaft with very little vibration and good sharp burrs. I can't recommend a better machine than a Foredom. I used to carve with a Dremel, but I'm glad I upgraded, as the motor action of the Foredom is much smoother. Working with TINY burrs takes good equipment and a steady hand. For the record, I don't carve when tired or in a bad mood.

I think I may post a knife I did up in the other gallery here, as it's got even smaller spirals on part of it.

LJ

Dotter · Post by **Dotter** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:20 am

Wow!! This is wonderful, really!!
Great looking pipe!

staffwalker · Post by **staffwalker** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:47 am

You do incredible work. Do you recommend a place to get the dental burrs? I also use a Foredom.

bob

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:20 am

Domba wrote:Wow!! This is wonderful, really!!
Great looking pipe!

Thank you! I really appreciate that!
LJ

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:23 am

staffwalker wrote:You do incredible work. Do you recommend a place to get the dental burrs? I also use a Foredom.

bob

Thank you. The complements are very encouraging.

I get my burrs from Rio Grande jewelers supply. They don't have a minimum order any more, and their customer service is great.

If you like, I can go find the 2 sets I buy for you - one is round and the other is inverted cone. If you need a link, let me know.

LJ

Charl · Post by **Charl** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:49 am

Lovely!

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:23 pm

Charl wrote:Lovely!

Thanks!

wdteipen · Post by **wdteipen** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:16 am

Very cool! Love it!

Ladyblacksword · Post by **Ladyblacksword** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:37 pm

wdteipen wrote:Very cool! Love it!

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that.
LJ