Kayak Jewelry

Chapelle 208 is ready for the water.  I installed rub strips yesterday afternoon, long pieces of oak which I glued onto the hull with Marine Goop and pegged into place.  East Greenland Kayak hulls tended to be heavily armored against the ice. One specimen described in Eastern Arctic Kayaks even had a big tin plate over the forefoot. 

Here is a picture of some of the deck toggles (sliders and beads) I carved last night.  I am forever grateful to Woody Woodside for the caribou antler.  It really gives it that authentic look, and is amazing stuff to work with -- so much stronger than wood and lighter than resin.  It has a distinctive odor.  It's like the smell of a dog, the oily smell of burnt hair, burnt flesh.  It's reminds me of being in dog lab or a major orthopedic procedure -- smokey cauterized bone. 

What is the secret to working with antler?  The Dremel Tool, of course!  Just a touch with that high speed bit and the surface vaporizes leaving a cloud of antler dust in your face.  I highly recommend wearing a face shield, respirator, and ear plugs. 

Here is a pic of the protective end knob on the stern.  It is a single piece of antler with the cancellous (spongy) center hollowed out.  The decorative grooves and pits are not traditional: They are what I could do with the Dremel Tool attachments.  Maybe later I'll try carving some seals or whales like John Petersen, but right now I'm just trying to get the kayak ready for the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium in Port Townsend this weekend.   See you there!

Comments

[Lodru Dawa]

Hey there!

Nice doo-dads for your kayak. The demel tool is great. I used to care mantras into rocks with one.

Have you seen the vastly updated new skin boat school web sight. Corys got a lot of pictures and video up now. Theres really helpful video for applying the good, sewing, dying skin and other stuff as well. Check it out if you've not seen it. He's put a lot of time into it. It would be worth writing a review about it's that good.

By the way, I am planning on a lot of kayak camping and cruising this summer. Would you like to do a trip together sometime?

Cheers,

Lodru

[Vintage Jewelry Store]

Very sweet jewelry piece. I like them all. I can make fantastic necklace from them. Thanks for the post.