Welcome to opalholicsanonymous.com where opal season lasts forever.

Took a picture of some bats in our previous abode, and planed to convert it into a carving for years.
But lucking the skills, I never dared to actually try it.

Its now or never, so make or break, here we go....
and so it beginns by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr
Taking my time, one aspect at a time.
Jade Project Bats by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr
Then another wing and a head the next day
Jade Project Bats by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr
Rushed a bit today with the garble of wings and the second head...
Jade Project Bats by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr

Thinking of utilizing Orums Moonstone again for the eyes. The colour while standing out, is not to strong a contrast and yet should give a focal point to any viewer when attempting to decipher the object at hand.
With some cuts being as deep ad 7+mm, I 'm not looking forward to the polishing. Looking at endless hours of sanding and toothpick polish.

Thanks for looking, Kurt

so far so good

Yep!

I don't envy you with the polishing, Kurt, that's definitely going to be a slow-going chore, but it will be worth it. It's looking really good so far, and I like the idea of moonstones for the eyes. Can't wait to see the next edition of the bats in progress.

If only we could convince teenagers to switch from endlessly and uselessly tapping on their "smart" phones and instead do something useful - like polishing your carvings

As you know, most carvers in China have nothing to do with sanding or polish.
Its a tedious task that everyone tries to avoid.
And in the West; the reason why there are so few carvers that do things beyond big flowing shapes.

Nearly done.
Moonstone eyes are in, and sanding done for now
Jade Bat Project by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr

Toothpick polish round one in progress.
Jade Bat Project by Kainzer Kurt, on Flickr

its wearable as of today, and just needs more rounds of polish to finalize.

That came out great, Kurt, and your links had the photo width/size in the code so I removed that and now they show on the Board. Thanks so much for showing us your black beauties. You made another masterpiece for yourself. Enjoy wearing it in good health.

They are definitely looking more 3-dimensional now that they are sanded. A bit of shine really brings out the details.