Walnut Bear Fetish

Thought I'd try my hand on a little carving. The bear fetish was carved out of a Walnut vase with a Dremel tool and a 1/4" burr. The vase sides were left a little thick to make sure I didn't go through it with the Dremel. The entire piece has been ebonized with a vinegar/iron filings mix, and the carved area gone over after carving was complete. The color on the bear is "Rub 'N Buff" Gold Leaf and is 4 5/8" tall.

Photo Details

Frank Van Atta

Registered: December 2009
Location: Green Valley, AZ
Posts: 308

9.5

Date: Thu December 10, 2009
Views: 1,782
Keywords: bear carving fetish walnut

Comments

Frank Van Atta

The entire vase is 4 5/8" tall, not the carved fetish.

#1 Thu December 10, 2009 5:03pm

Don Leydens

Don Leydens

Very nice job, Frank. Hey, for the first try at this it's a VERY nice job!
Don L.

#2 Fri December 11, 2009 11:44am

Brad_Mortensen

Nice job Frank, doesn't look bad at all. If you do another one you might want to try a relief carving, it might add to it a bit by framing the fetish.

Brad

#3 Fri December 11, 2009 12:51pm

Frank Van Atta

I might try that, Brad. The first time around I was just hoping to be able to follow the pattern without going through the wood. Now that I know how easy it is I'll try something more complicated.

#4 Fri December 11, 2009 2:52pm

Rev. Doug Miller

Rev. Doug Miller

Somebody's going to love this piece. A lot of people really go for this look and the fetishes. You've done a nice job with it. 8-)

#5 Fri December 11, 2009 3:53pm

Brendan McAreavy

This is very attractive. I'm having a problem with perspective because, on my first look, the bear seemed to be standing proud of the background but I realise it's not. Now I can't see it any other way. However, Brad's suggestion of a relief carving could be very effective if the profile of the vase was used in the bear's body, it would give a very effective dimension to the carving. Excellent work.

#6 Fri December 11, 2009 10:13pm

Frank Van Atta

The bear does stand proud of the background. The vase was finish turned before any carving was done, then the area between the bear figure and the oval was carved out with the Dremel tool.

#7 Sat December 12, 2009 3:35pm

Brendan McAreavy

Ahhhhhh, that's what I thought...I'm not losing my mind. Try as I would I couldn't make the bear 'go in'. So, that being the case my suggestion is exactly what you did. Great work.

#8 Sat December 12, 2009 10:40pm

Frank Van Atta

Probably my fault - I said the BEAR was carved out of the vase, when it was actually the BACKGROUND that was carved out.

#9 Sun December 13, 2009 1:03am

Brendan McAreavy

LOL, I don't think there's any need for fault or blame, the main thing is... I wish I had made this.

#10 Sun December 13, 2009 1:29am