‘MAKING OF’
Stone
I advise you to start here. Your own mixing bowl is a lovely space to work other materials.
Carving, Alabaster Mixing Bowl
You cannot have a rigid design plan or very specific preconceived visions of what your bowl will look like in advance.
Remember you are working with a material that will not listen to you, you must listen to it.
This stone, your stone, has been forming in a bed of clay lingering on the surface of the earth in meteorite-like boulder formations. It is not made for ease, so do not go against its grain, you will not overcome the thousands of layers of years taken to form this.
All you need to remember is that your making a bowl, in a vague shape.
Alabaster is unlike other stones, such as marble, as it does not undergo a heat reaction. It is not compressed or formed through layers of sediment affected by heat like marble, it is formed through the evaporation of seawater, leaving mineral compound. It may be intensely heavy, and look very solid, but it is still very soft. Almost like very hard clay. Be aware of this.
ONE
Use a pencil or marker to outline the shape of the bowl on the surface of the alabaster. This will probably disappear very quickly but will still serve as a temporary guide during carving.
TWO
Use a hammer and chisel to remove excess material from the alabaster, roughly shaping it into the form of a mixing bowl. Take care to stay within the outline.
When altering the surface with sandpaper or grinders, always use water. Allow the bowl to help you with this.
THREE
Fill your bowl with approximately a quarter of its capacity with water. This will ease your interaction with the alabaster.
Be slow.
Alabaster responds very sensitively.
FOUR
Continue to remove excess material. Use a low grade polisher to gradually soften your bowl. Remember your water.
FIVE
Gradually polish your alabaster bowl with sandpapers decreasing in grade.
SIX
Use your hands, no gloves, to feel around your bowl, feeling its contours and tidy it up accordingly.
You want to use your body weight when moving the bowl around, hold it like a heavy baby ensuring you have a well rounded grip as it will slip.
SEVEN
When you are happy with your bowl, moisturise with baby lotion and scrap cloth. Repeat until satisfied.
Carving, Alabaster Mortar
ONE
Find a solid chunk of your excess material.
Again, this material is soft and delicate, despite having a substantial appearance, so work with patience.
TWO
Use a soft grinder and polisher to reveal something that should look like a teardrop shape with a long neck that will act as your handle.
THREE
Gradually sand down.
The edges of your mortar should be well rounded and smooth. This ensure its grinding and mixing applications are the most effective.
FOUR
Run the shape through your hands to make sure that it not only has an appropriate head for mixing, but so that it sits in your hand comfortably.
FIVE
Ensure your surface is flat and soft to the touch. Repeat sanding by hand until satisfied.