A New Page: History of Scrimshaw

has just been finished. No pictures at the moment.

In the How-To section

We have an excellent picture of a lighthouse for beginning scrimshaw artists as well as a basis for more accomplished scrimshanders. We’ve created a pdf so you can print it out then choose your size, plus at the bottom there is a large size image for reference. See http://www.scrimshaw.com/lighthouse-point-scrimshaw-patterns-template/ for more information and a link to the pdf. I want to thank Chris Amelung again for putting this up as a creative commons photo, and his gracious email when I asked him if I could use it in my beginner’s scrimshaw book.

Kraken Blog

Almost finished with the Kraken – just a little bit of finishing work in the background, then it’s to be coated with an archival wax, a final picture or two and off for sale.  It’s been an experience!  Changing tools mid-way through offered more challenges as well as rewards, but it’s time to move on before I end up making a “major improvement” and end up sanding it down to start again… .

Also added a “collage” of the Kraken scrimshaw in progress.

Mystery Artist Section

Mystery Artist Found (actually the Mystery Artist found us!) She is still an active scrimshander, but currently does not have her own site.  We are happy to be able to connect the owner and the artist of this beautiful piece.  There are several others that remain a mystery, so any help would be appreciated!

See Mystery Artist for more!

Scrimshaw Books

“The Scrimshander’s Secret Scrapbook of Whaling Era Illustrations” – continues to be popular.  A resource of whaling illustrations for beginner as well as accomplished scrimshaw artists, it is available in e-book form as well as spiral bound for ease of scanning.

Also added several of my favorite scrimshaw books and DVDs in our Books section.