CELTIC CONFUSION

CELTIC CONFUSION - PHASE 3

May 25, 1998

Summer is upon us and glorious it is!

The planting of both flower and vegetable gardens was accomplished on the weekend. We wait in hope. This year I'm going to try using a little fertilizer. Last year the results were rather fruitless - or should I say vegetable-less! The ground here looks black and rich, but is only the former.

I have cut out the parts of the carving that were meant to be removed, with a scroll saw. A difficult task! Part of the challenge is balancing the antler and supporting its weight with one hand, while inserting the thin blade through the pilot hole and clamping it tight with the other. This normally wouldn't be as difficult with a smaller antler, but this antler is fairly large and so is both heavy and awkward.

The blades are thin and break easily. I broke all of the blades in my possession on this one! But the job got done. I'll pay a visit to the hardware store to replenish my blade stock before I start on the next carving.

There are many kinds of scroll saw blades. I use both those which enable a tight turning radius and the mutidirectional blades (the most fragile of all). Some the holes in this carving required two or more blades!

Well, the next stage is set, so let the carving begin ...

Till next time,

Shane

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