Welcome to opalholicsanonymous.com where opal season lasts forever.

Drawn up last year as a proposed summer-project and never done.


So a few weeks ago, I finally got started


Had my daughter draw up some flowers and scratched out the basic design.


Did not like it, and already thought of taking the flowers off entirely, but then, somehow today I got into a flow that changed things a little.
Still not happy, but its a start to hopefully better things.


Round two: going a bit deeper undercutting on both sides. Does not look like it in picture, but lots of material removed since last picture.

Thanks for looking, Kurt

They're coming along beautifully Kurt, and I especially like the way you carved the flowers. How big are the pieces. They're beautiful, as always.

its one piece, back and front.
Just tied them together yesterday (carved the sides).
Its 55x20x09mm.

Personally, I like the bamboo side. Its easier to read. The flower side is yet again too busy.

i've got my first black jade coming in soon. Can't wait to try it!

On your piece I can see the size reference in your hand but the other pictures make it look like a monolith!

Angle-grinder might be fun to work with, but cant imagine me sanding a huge piece by hand.

The bamboo looks wonderful but the flower petals have a bit to much texture.

crazy8s wrote:The bamboo looks wonderful but the flower petals have a bit to much texture.

Yep, they do. Sanding did not remove as much as it should have.
Very obvious in the huge pictures, but OK in hand....

In the meantime, finished the cutting (including above flower and top).
But no pictures yet.
Picture here this morning. Overcast outdoor gives it an unusual colour. Like it.


Best regards, Kurt

Good job! I like the metallic look you gave it. It may not look metallic in hand, but in pics it does. Very nice.

As I cut outdoors, the constant rain over the past 13 days did not help much for the start of my summer holiday, but somehow got some work done in the short brakes....

Jade is done


And new project started for this months challenge:
First up; Montana Jellybean

Picture is rather dark, just like the weather. Will have to get new ones once the sun returns.

And, Indian Blackskin for the challenge: Rough cut


Thanks for looking, have a great week, Kurt