FAQ's What is Soapstone? TOP
Soapstone is prodominatly talc. It is one of the softest forms of stone. Soapstone is mined in various parts of the world and each mine has different
minerals that give the soapstone different colors. Soapstone will weigh 80 pounds for a 12x12x12 inch cube.
What is Alabaster? TOP
Alabaster is made of gypsum and calcite. While soapstone hardness is rated
as a one on the Mohs scale, alabaster is rated a two - three on the mohs scale.
What is the Mohs Scale? TOP
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material.
Where do you get your stone? TOP
I dig a little of my stone locally but I buy most of my stone comes from
Italy,Canada, Japan, Brasil, and other parts of the United States.
Shipping and handling from these dealers is very expensive and it sometimes
takes awhile to get the stone if it get tied up in U.S. Customs.
How do you make your art? TOP
Most of my bowls are segmented. Segmented is where I will make a bowl
or vase from many different pieces of stone. I will use different colors in
contrast to make the designs in my work.
I will cut each piece at a certain angle on two sides to make a circle, I
divide 360 degrees into the number of pieces for each ring. IE.. 360 divided
by 8 = 45 divided by 2 = 22.5 degrees for each angle of each side.
I then make up a ring and add it one on top of each other to make up the
hieght.
Some bowls are made of one piece of stone.
I may spend several hours and most up to 40-50 hrs. on each piece depending
on how many pieces are in the vase or bowl.
Is every piece an original? TOP
Yes! Each piece of stone is totally different. Some are even totally different
within inches, as mother nature see fit.
So duplicating the stone pattern is out of the question.
What makes stone turning so unique? TOP
This is a rare art form and VERY few people turn stone on the lathe and
even fewer people turn segmented stone bowls and vases. The fact that I do this rare process for my art gets me a lot of attention at art shows.
Most people take a double take and usually say "WOW, that isn't pottery that is stone isn't it ?! How did you do that?"
I have won many awards in many different juried art shows for my unique form of art.
How will my order be shipped? TOP
I will ship each piece expertly packed to protect it from being damaged during shipping. Be sure to add shipping insurance to your order to ensure your valuable, original piece is fully covered in the event of a postal mishap.
