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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 2, 2021 14:00:22 GMT -5
These managed to make it to Halloween just in time. We picked up these pumpkins from a shop run by a local nursery. When we arrived, my wife asked, "Do you have any pumpkins with unusual shapes?" "Well, I have one that sort of looks like a skull." "We'll take it!" was my immediate reply...
The second pumpkin was simply ordinary and I couldn't think of any ideas on Saturday. So I left it for Sunday. I sat and stared at it for almost an hour before this idea came to mind. The face was sculpted from the rear of the pumpkin. After it was finished, I cut the jagged opening in the other side. Then I cut the face out, trimmed it, and pushed him inside face-first. He's secured to the wall by a few bamboo skewers.
My wife said, "We need to start having pumpkin-sculpting parties again." I have a year to change her mind. The best strategy is probably to not mention it. I hope.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 2, 2021 14:19:45 GMT -5
Thanks for posting these Gary! I remember that other thread VERY well! Both of these are SO stunning! I'm so amazed by your artistry!  |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Nov 2, 2021 14:27:10 GMT -5
Amazing! I love how you did the second one. My kids carved their pumpkins on Sunday. We found out as we went to carve them that my son’s pumpkin was half rotten. Rather than simply throw it on the compost pile, I thought I would have some fun with it (after being inspired by that other post of yours). I have a lot more practicing to do before I even come close to your level! I have to admit, it was a lot more fun carving it this way rather than just cutting holes in it.  |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 2, 2021 14:35:32 GMT -5
Amazing! I love how you did the second one. My kids carved their pumpkins on Sunday. We found out as we went to carve them that my son’s pumpkin was half rotten. Rather than simply throw it on the compost pile, I thought I would have some fun with it (after being inspired by that other post of yours). I have a lot more practicing to do before I even come close to your level! I have to admit, it was a lot more fun carving it this way rather than just cutting holes in it.
Thank you, Brian.
That's a really clever pumpkin! I'm smiling as I type this — the braces are such a nice touch!
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Post by miket on Nov 2, 2021 14:38:27 GMT -5
Awesome, Gary!
I thought about making a post the other day linking to your other pumpkins but the thought slipped away like so many of them seem to do these days.
Anyway, thanks for the pictures- both of those are spectacular!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 2, 2021 14:57:05 GMT -5
Halloween isn't complete without your pumpkin post! A little late is fine, just so long as we get to see them. They are amazing! I love the skull! What a great shaped pumpkin for that. You are truly talented. Brian Love your pumpkin, too. Love the braces. LOL! Do you have any kids with braces? |
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Brian
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2020
Posts: 1,512
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Post by Brian on Nov 2, 2021 15:11:47 GMT -5
Halloween isn't complete without your pumpkin post! A little late is fine, just so long as we get to see them. They are amazing! I love the skull! What a great shaped pumpkin for that. You are truly talented. Brian Love your pumpkin, too. Love the braces. LOL! Do you have any kids with braces? Thanks, Tela! My daughter just got braces, so I thought it was an appropriate addition. |
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Post by fernwood on Nov 3, 2021 5:07:32 GMT -5
Gary. I was waiting to see photos of your Jack O Lanterns from this year. Thanks.
Brian, What a perfect carving.
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CLErocks
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2021
Posts: 342
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Post by CLErocks on Nov 3, 2021 8:42:18 GMT -5
Very Cool! Halloween is the BEST!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Nov 3, 2021 9:36:30 GMT -5
Yay! Gary Gourds!
I was wondering if you had carved any this year. Glad you posted them. I love the them both, but the skull one is my favorite.  |
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Post by victor1941 on Nov 3, 2021 11:10:59 GMT -5
Very exciting and imaginative designs!
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 3, 2021 17:39:02 GMT -5
opalpyrexia- I was showing the gallery photos to family (again) and they wondered if you carved any other medium.
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 3, 2021 21:54:56 GMT -5
opalpyrexia - I was showing the gallery photos to family (again) and they wondered if you carved any other medium.
The only other carving that I've done is in wood. I started with whittling neckerchief slides in the Boy Scouts, and then created a series of small, stylized masks or heads suggesting an indigenous origin. That description really doesn't communicate well. I'll post a couple of photos here in the next day or two.
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 3, 2021 22:53:55 GMT -5
opalpyrexia - I was showing the gallery photos to family (again) and they wondered if you carved any other medium.
The only other carving that I've done is in wood. I started with whittling neckerchief slides in the Boy Scouts, and then created a series of small, stylized masks or heads suggesting an indigenous origin. That description really doesn't communicate well. I'll post a couple of photos here in the next day or two.
Cool. Looking forward to seeing them. I'm sure they are awesome. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 4, 2021 20:32:51 GMT -5
The only other carving that I've done is in wood. I started with whittling neckerchief slides in the Boy Scouts, and then created a series of small, stylized masks or heads suggesting an indigenous origin. That description really doesn't communicate well. I'll post a couple of photos here in the next day or two.
Cool. Looking forward to seeing them. I'm sure they are awesome. Eh, not so awesome. The one on the left might have been an abandoned model for the middle one. I like the one on the right. I gave the middle one to my future wife while we were in college but in different states. It even had a lanyard. It was just a year or so ago that she told me that she never wore it. I wonder why.  Hahaha! |
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Tommy
Administrator 
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,981
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Post by Tommy on Nov 4, 2021 21:53:51 GMT -5
Holy crap Gary opalpyrexia those are amazing. You are seriously talented. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Nov 4, 2021 22:18:45 GMT -5
Thanks, Gary. I like them. I probably wouldn't wear them, but I would display them. They show off your innate talent for carving.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059 
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 4, 2021 23:42:59 GMT -5
Great talent as expected Gary. Halloween's not complete without your Pumpkins. When are you going to turn your carving talents to casting wax? Have you experimented with that?
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Post by opalpyrexia on Nov 5, 2021 11:00:36 GMT -5
Great talent as expected Gary. Halloween's not complete without your Pumpkins. When are you going to turn your carving talents to casting wax? Have you experimented with that?
Thank you, Rick. I've done some wax pieces but not very much. I turned down one job for a somewhat complex, graceful woman's ring because it would have been a one-off for a specific opal. I also didn't trust my limited wax skill to pull it off. Here's one ring that I made from wax: Larry's Ring |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,059
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 5, 2021 11:56:00 GMT -5
opalpyrexia , Good job on the ring carving Gary! I see you took a hint from Glenn Dizon on your technique for protecting the opal. Wish I had your talent. Even without it, I plan to spend some time and effort on trying to do some similar work in the near future.
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Hahaha!
