Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 70
STONE
Hand-carved stone reflects the quality and care that the contractor puts into the entire project.
Design
STONE CARVERS CAN DESIGN the work to your specifications or work directly from your plans. Discuss who will do that design work: the carver, designer or architect. If the carver is doing that work, a design fee may be required.
Custom hand-carving is not a fast process. The earlier in your project you begin talking with a carver (or carvers) the easier things will go. The process of creating a new carving involves many steps. Once the design is determined and the type of stone selected, the carver will prepare shop drawings, job tickets (which detail how each piece of stone needs to be cut and shaped), templates or patterns, and sometimes models.
Also, even when working from finished drawings prepared by an architect, the carver will need to translate those into shop drawings and make sure the thickness and sizes of each pieces is appropriate for the particular type of stone and application.
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STONE CARVING WORKSHOP
The Northwest Stone Sculptors Association (NWSSA), located in Seattle, Wash, will be holding a Hand Carving Retreat over Memorial Day weekend, May 27-31, at the Casey Conference Center on Whidbey Island, Wash.
This workshop is designed for carvers who want to build their foundation and learn new techniques, the stone mason who wishes to widen their vocabulary with artistic expression in stone, the weary who need "stone restoration" and anyone who simply wants to know more about stone craftsmanship.
The focus will be in three areas, guided by an uncompromising staff that are dedicated to the values that come from working from a sound foundation.
EFFECTIVE TRADITIONAL HAND CARVING
Methods from rough out to finish all with hand tools.
THE UNCARVED STONE
Arenas in stone work that are often not covered in stone carving workshops will be addressed in this portion of the workshop. Topics such as stone walling, setting, splitting, stacking, pitching and pointing techniques will be covered in these talks and hands-on workshops.
FIELD TRIP TO THE EARTH SANCTUARY
A privately owned nature reserve and meditation park land, where we see a vision in progress, incorporating stone into landscapes to create sacred spaces. A hands-on workshop and demonstration will happen here with guest instructor Bobby Watt.
To learn more about the NWSSA Hand Carving Retreat, contact Alexandra Morosco at (360) 579-2591 or e-mail alex@moroscofinearts.com.
Carving
ONCE EVERYTHING has been designed and confirmed, the stone is selected and ordered, generally custom-cut to size, from a stone mill.
When the stone blocks arrive at the carver's shop, the design will be laid out on each piece using the templates and job tickets. Most of the carving is done with either small, handheld, pneumatic hammers or chisels. Saws and drills may be used to rough out the block. There are many different textures and surface treatments possible that can create a richer, more alive effect. Some types of stone take a polish; others will be taken to a chiseled or sanded texture.
Hand-carved vs. Cast Stone
DON'T LET YOUR CLIENTS be confused between hand-carved stone and manufactured cast stone. It is often necessary to educate them on the differences.
Cast stone is a standard manufactured product. A mold is made, and a cement and stone dust mixture is poured into the mold. Although cast stone can be more economical and a quicker process, the manufactured product can be a bit visually "flat".