Restoration and preparation

©2020 Barry Smith - Indication of depth of shrinkage on the book wall

As part of the January maintenance program I decided to put an extra layer on the book wall. We had quite a few books available for the job after I disassembled a book bench seat on the terraces and replaced it with a large timber bench. Fiona also finally agreed to let me use the stack of books outside the door at the shed-studio.

I found it interesting that the prolonged dry weather had resulted in the books shrinking. You can see from the first photo that the shrinkage has been about 5cm or one encyclopaedia in thickness. It took about 4-5 hours to do the restoration. The wall looks good again.

©2020 Barry Smith - Same section of the wall built up with books from the terrace bench seat - very healthy crucifix orchid in the foreground

©2020 Barry Smith - Another section restored with books from the shed-studio stack

©2020 Barry Smith  - Sometimes you need halves

©2020 Barry Smith  - All set again to do its retaining wall job

Whilst in Scotland I picked up a small section of stag antler. I wanted to see how it would work from a jewellery perspective. I cut the antler with a twisted blade - stronger and better cutting action. for bone and horn. I don't use power tools for cutting bone or horn or antler - too much dust and fumes. Still the work was done with a good mask on; and clean up of dust immediately after the cutting.

The antler proved to be quite dense and hard. I think I have cut enough to create  two pendants and three pair of earrings - we will see. Took about 1.5 hours to saw these pieces.

©2020 Barry Smith  - Twist blade in action

©2020 Barry Smith  - Slice off the side ready marked up to be cut into longish drops

©2020 Barry Smith  - Some of the pieces ready for sanding etc

©2020 Barry Smith  - Still some left

Good end to the weekend to have the wall back in action before rain over night; and the antler is ready for play.