Ice Sculpting - Tools And Equipment

Many tools and other equipment are and can be used to fabricate these gorgeous ice sculptures. Tools which are mainly used and should not be missing from your toolkit are: chisels, chisel sets, a garde manager, hand saws, ice tongs & chippers and sharpening stones. Many artists, who apply themselves to sculpting large statues, even use chain saws.

I found several sites on the Internet, where every kind of tool and equipment which one can possibly need for ice sculpting can be purchased. Even protective apparel is available. That makes good sense, since you will be out in the cold.

You need to have ice to work with of course. Large blocks of ice are being made by several manufacturers. The blocks are fused together if need be, to create a large figure. This has to be done well, or the statue can fall apart.

If you are or rather prefer working on a smaller scale, special molds for in the freezer are available as well. That is quick and easy and you don't need all the artistic abilities to come up with a creation of your own.

There are lots of useful tips and tricks which can contribute to creating your masterpiece. You can gather all the know-how by taking ice sculpting classes. Locations and dates of those classes can be found on the Internet as well.

I have great admiration for this form of art, but I don't think I would want to practice is. It is a bit too cold for me. I think I will put this art on ice for now. :-)

Ice Sculpting

This art may be either a little late or a little early. That totally depends on how you look at it. It may be too late, since this winter is over and too early for the winter to come. Either way, it is an art form that should not be overlooked by any means.

From what I could find, apparently ice sculpting is taught in culinary schools, because many hotels and restaurants like to have and order a sculpture for table decorations.

These decorations are much smaller then some of the wonderful creations one can see at the outdoor festivals and competitions. Those are held all around the world and artists can even participate in World Championships.

Several ice sculpting foundations and associations have been the result of all this beautiful, temporary, but extremely artistic work.

If you would like to try this then I think it would be wise to start out on a small scale. Maybe you can try fusing some ice cubes together and carve an image. If that goes well and you enjoy being crafty with ice, you can move on to the backyard and try it on a block of ice.

Be warned though: you may get cold feet! :-)

See also:
Ice Sculpting - Tools And Equipment

Coffee Art II

Except for art in a cup, there is another artistic use for coffee that I found. Complete paintings are done with coffee.

This painting is done by artist Karen Eland. She creates her paintings from only espresso and water. I suppose, if you do pastel painting, you may very well have the expertise to create a coffee painting.

Dirceu Veiga is another coffee artist, who uses the same technique to create his paintings. I even found out, that he produces coffee filters, which are decorated with the most beautiful images. Yes, they are entirely made out of coffee and they can be used to brew a delicious cup. I don't think I would though; they are so gorgeous that they deserve to be framed.

This art may not be for everyone, but you can start with your own cup of coffee. Here is what you need and the explanation of how to create your first work of art:

- a small stainless steel jug,
- a teaspoon,
- a tablespoon
- a metal skewer.

For a brown base:
Heat a jug of milk and swirl it to get a silky texture, as you learned in the previous post. Pour the milk into the centre of a glass of coffee in a steady stream, in the same spot. The milk will disappear under the crema and leave a smooth, brown base for you to create your art on.

To create chasing hearts:
Prepare a glass of coffee and add milk to make a brown base, as above. Foam some milk in a jug. Use a teaspoon to put three dots of foam on top of the brown base. Put your metal skewer about an inch deep into the crema and in one circular movement, draw it through the middle of each of the three dots. And voila! Three hearts, chasing each other around the top of your coffee.

There you have it. I just spilled the beans. :-)

Coffee Art I

Growing the perfect coffee bean is an art. The knowledge of hot to roast them and how to brew the most delicious cup of coffee is an art as well. If you think however, that this post is about that, you will be sorely disappointed. This is about creating art with... coffee!

The thought of getting up and making myself another cup of coffee, prompted the idea to do a search. I really thought this was a silly idea and would not yield any results. Imagine my surprise, when it did. I should not have been. People are immensely creative!

I am not sure, who started this art form or where it originated, but take a look at the ease and creativity with which it is done:


This is so cool! Speaking of cool, I am personally not that fond of ice coffee. I think I will finally get myself that cup of coffee, which led to the discovery of this art. Not that I regret that it did, on the contrary.

I think I will enjoy it even more though, sipping on a hot cup of coffee. :-)

See also:
Coffee Art II

Wood Art - Chain Saw Equipment And Safety

You have the choice between an electric or a gas chain saw. I suppose that it depends on the site, where you work. A gas chain saw might come in more handy when there is no electricity around. Grin.

I learned there are three sizes of chain saws:

A light weight saw, which has an 8 to 12 inch guide bar and is best for cutting small branches and very small trees.

The mid weight saw is more suitable for for frequent log cutting and felling of small trees and has a 14 to 20 inch guide bar.

The guide bar of a heavy weight chain saw is over 20 inches long and are normally only used in the profession of logging.

Essential when choosing and using a chain saw is to be extremely careful. Make sure that the saw of your choice has the following safety features:
- Front and rear hand guards
- Chain brake (gas models)
- Stop switch
- Throttle trigger lockout
- Rear hand guard
- Chain catcher
- Spark arrester

I also found some good tips on how to enhance your safety, while handling a chain saw:
- Always avoid making cuts with the saw between your legs, always cut with the saw to the outside of your legs.
- Don't stand on a log and saw between your feet.
- Always stand to one side of the limb you are to cut, never straddle it.
- Always keep in mind where the chain will go if it breaks, never position yourself or other people in line with the chain.
- Keep the chain out of the dirt, debris will fly, the teeth will be dulled and the chain life shortened considerably.

It may also be wise, to wear protective clothing. Special chainsaw gear is available and can be purchased. The gear consists of protective chaps, steel toe boots, eye protection, ear protection, and head protection.

Don't ever get careless and avoid working with a chain saw when you are tired. Both those circumstances call for accidents to happen and we definitely do not want your career as a chain saw artist to be cut short!

Wood Art - Chain Saw

If you think, you can only get detailed figurines, carving wood with knives and chisels, you better take a look at this video.


Chain saw art is not that old. It finds it origin in the 1950's and started out, with carving a name in to a tree. In the 60's, chain saw dealers promoted the product by having one of their employees carve a simple object out of a piece of wood. This was to demonstrate how light-weight and how easy to use the chain saw was. From there on, this form of art has taken a flight. This art form has been applied along the Gulf Coast. After the hurricanes, many trees were down and instead of removing the remainder of the trunk, chain saw artists created the most amazing sculptures, like these dolphins. Since so many people have taken up chain saw carving, several guilds have been formed for chain saw artists. The Cascade Chainsaw Sculptors Guild (CCSG), which is a nonprofit organization, was founded by a group of chainsaw artist back in 1986 and the United Chainsaw Carvers Guild, founded in 2002. Handling a chain saw may not be for everybody and you have to be careful. I am pleased to see to see, that besides cutting down a tree and destroying whole forests, it also is used to create beautiful art. See also: Wood Art - Chain Saw Equipment And Safety

Small Print

Even though I may be considered to be part of the 'dumb blonde sisterhood', there are times it pays to be blonde and ignorant.

This joke, that I got in the mail, sure is one of those great examples of how things can be perceived, received, and understood.

'Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with an expensive double-pane energy efficient kind.

Today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago, and I still hadn't paid for them.

Well, hellloooo,...........just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid.

So, I told him exactly what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves!

Helllooooo? It's been a year! I told him.

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back.

Guess I won that stupid argument.

I bet he felt like an idiot.'

It got me laughing out loud, but it also pointed out, that one has to be very clear with what is meant.

I suppose, that is why the small print is invented, huh? I guess this contractor did not have any!

Scrapbooking

I had finally gotten around to doing, what I had intended for so long now: printing out all the posts on our grandsons and putting them in a memory book. I have a book for each one of the boys.

What I had not realized was, that I had already so many posts. I ended up with a huge stack of paper. I sorted, ordered, cut and pasted, until I got all the posts laid out. Once that was done, I had the rough draft ready. Then the real fun began.

I spruced up and embellished the pages. You could probably call it 'Scrap booking'. Our youngest grandson's book is ready, but I am still in the process of doing his brother's. Since he has a year on his sibling, he has lots more posts.

It will take a while though, before I am finally done. By the time I am through, I can start all over again with the next round of their little escapades and actions. That's okay.

It is a labor of love. :-)

Artistic Battle

A few days ago, I came across this headline:
ABC: Fighting Back Against Medical Billing Errors.

Since we had some experience with this, I know what a battle that can be. I could not help, but come up with and artistic way of how best to handle that.

It could look something like this:

To: Financial Error Hospital
Billing Street $$
Wallet, ER 90210.

Dear Sirs,

Upon receiving your bill, I have to say that most of it was right on the money. However, there were some serious symptoms, which called for an extensive examination.

After a painstaking scan through your bill, I came across a spot, which was cause for concern. Further tests confirmed my suspicions and prompted me to thoroughly X-ray the affected area. This brought to light an abscess in your bill, which we have to cut out as soon as possible, in order to prevent further complications.

The unexpected growth in your invoice, was induced by the following:
Upon my arrival at your medical facility, I received the To Cure An Itch, Without A Scratch treatment. However, the 'Scratch' treatment somehow got injected in the bill and could result in many painful financial conditions. In order to prevent that, I performed surgery and cut the tumor out of the tissue.

This may knock you for a loop and I would recommend you to be prepared. When the anesthetics wear off, the sore spot may remain painful and sensitive for a while. Rest assured, you received the best out patient cure for this disease. Attached to this letter, you will find my bill for this entire procedure.

To avoid this in the future, I advise you to resort to glasses, lots of brain and memory improving exercises, and in case of doubt, consulting your files.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours Truly,
Mrs. C.A.T. Scan.
©Corry 2009.

Maybe, this work of art is the cure for the problem. Especially, if we would calligraph it. :-)

Duct Tape Art - History, Materials And Supplies

Duct tape was first created and manufactured approximately around 1942. Initially, it got known under the name Duck Tape, because it was waterproof. At first it was used by the military, to tape up the ammunition cases, in order to keep moisture out.

The personnel found out pretty quick, that the tape was extremely useful for all kinds of repairs. Guns, jeeps and even air crafts were held together with it.

After the war, the many applications of the tape came in handy in the housing industry. Heating and air conditioning duct-work, was being connected with it, hence the name Duct Tape. To blend in more with the color of the duct work, the tape's color was changed from army green to silver.

There are at least eight companies in the United States and Canada that manufacture duct tape. It can be bought in many different colors, like red, yellow, green, blue, brown, and black. It can also be found in the fluorescent colors orange, green, yellow, and pink.

For the outdoors, a special camouflage design called 'Camo Tape' is also available.

Duct tape can be found in almost any hardware store and even the craft stores offer a wide choice in colors, these days.

If you like to get started crafting with this sticky material, many videos and books on the how and what can be found online. There are even several websites, where you can post a picture of your art.

It sure is a form of art, one can get stuck on! :-)

Duct Tape Art II

Because of the different colors, which Duct Tape comes in, it lends itself very well for collages and other wall art.

I can only imagine, how much patience it must take, to cut and past all this together. Not to mention all the aggravation and frustration, when you got all wrapped up in it.

I am really baffled by so much creativity. It also is another great example of an artistic expression and hobby, which does not have to cost much.

I found several Duct Tape Art Galleries online, where many beautiful creations can be admired. The craftiness and imagination of the artists are beyond belief. Take this life-like parrot for instance. It is only one of the many sculptures, created with this tape.

I have even seen car interiors and furniture, upholstered with Duct Tape.

Hmm, that gives a whole different meaning to 'being glued to the chair', huh?! :-)

Duct Tape Art

Yes, the title is correct. There is lots of art being made from... Duct tape!

I suppose, we all know already, that duct tape is good for almost anything. I was totally unaware of the fact, that it was being used to create art with. What led up to looking for this type of art, was the video below. I came across it, on one of the media pages and inquiring minds need to know. I was pleasantly surprised.

Besides dresses and suits, lots more fashionable art is created with this colored, sticky tape. Belts, wallets, hats, tote bags and purses, are what I have found so far. This is only one of the many applications of duct tape, for designing and creating art. In my next articles, I will show you some more mind blowing and jaw dropping works. Don't worry, that last is easily fixed with this tape as well. Grin. Even though it may seem to be a rare form of art, it is not. Many people practise it and there are even duct tape art clubs, communities and contests. I am glad, this video caught my attention. I think it is definitely an art, worthy of more publicity. I am glad, this was caught on tape. :-) See also: Duct Tape Art II Duct Tape Art - History, Materials And Supplies

Wood Art - Match Sticks Materials And Kits

Even though it does not show well in the picture, this delicate work of match sticks stands about 3 feet tall and is several feet wide. It is from match stick artist Patrick Acton, who has made many more of these magnificent creations.

You don't really need much for this type of art. Some good glue and match sticks of course. Lots of match sticks!

The prison, or folk art is probably the easiest form to start with. It may take a little more experience, to create figurines, or objects, like this tiger and Ferris wheel.

Although, that does not necessarily have to be the case. If you rather like to do that, there are many excellent hobby kits available. If you can not find them in a store, check online. I found several and also noticed, that one can order match stick refills.

Try this form of art sometime. Who knows, it may turn out to be a perfect match! :-)

Wood Art - Match Sticks II

Since the tops of the matches come in several different colors, they lend themselves very well for designing artwork. Take a look at these match stick sculptures. Aren't they gorgeous?!

After finishing one of those, I would advise the artist, to put a strong protective coating over it. Even while working on one of these, it would be highly recommended, to try not to spark anything. Unless he/she would like to see it go up in smoke.

While looking for some of this artwork, I read about an artist, who created sculptures like these and then... really set them on fire! I guess, he found a way to control his pyromania, huh? Grin.

Wood Art - Match Sticks

People are extremely creative. Give them a match and a shoe string and they can make art out of it. Well, it is true. Beautiful art does not have to cost an arm and a leg to create. Match stick art is an excellent example.

When I was young, disposable lighters were not around. Gas stoves, cigarettes and anything else that needed to burn, was being lit with a match. As a project for school, we were asked to save up as many burnt matches as possible. We would turn it in to art.

I can not quite remember what I made out of it. We glued the matches on a thin piece of plywood and once done, coated it with a varnish. It was absolutely gorgeous and so easy to make.

These creations are also known under name prison art, or folk art, and are still made all over the world.

Match sticks lend themselves for many different forms of art. You will be surprised. Stay tuned. I promise, you will not get burned out on this art subject. :-)

See also:
Wood Art - Match Sticks II
Wood Art - Match Sticks Materials And Kits

Wood Art - Carving Tools And Materials

Carving wood is different from whittling. While whittling only requires the use of one knife, with carving an array of different tools are used.






Knives, gauges, chisels, V-tools and veiners can all be found in a carver's tool kit.








One other thing, that a carver needs is..., you guessed it, wood. There are different types of wood, that are easy to work with. Most commonly used are Basswood and Tupelo.

Some other good woods to work with are Chestnut, American walnut, mahogany and teak. If you like to make a very detailed work of art, the Italian walnut, sycamore maple, apple, pear or plum, are recommended.

Pinewood is more suited and advised to use, when your carving is going to be painted, or the carving is of a more rougher design.


One of the tips I came across, while reading up on carving was, to define the grain of the wood, before you start. Fine and intricate details come out better and are easier to carve, going with the grain.
You may want to keep that in mind and save yourself some aggravation and frustration.

Try to keep the wood as dry as possible. Even while you are working with it, moisture can cause some expansion and may ruin the detailed work. It could result in cracks and all your labor would be in vain.

I hope that will not happen. Let's knock on wood! :-)