Scrimshaw Etching

Scrimshaw, engraving, scratch art. Call it what you

like. While it is not actualy engraving, since i don't

use typical engravers tools. Most do not consider it

true scrimshaw, since I do not use whale teeth or ivory

for my work. Anyway, its an art form that takes alot of

practice. I have searched the internet to find similar

art as this, but nothing was found. I originaly started

on ivory from old piano keys and old pieces of bone. But

material like these of quality and quantity are far and

few. so i moved to plastics, cheap and plentiful. It

also helps clean the enviroment by recycling plastics

that end up clogging landfills or litering roadsides. I

actually have found plastic mugs and thermos jugs in

ditches along side a road that was perfectly usable for

decoration. (I wouldn't use them for food or drink, but

sitting on a shelf looking cool is ok).  (please forgive my typing skills, or lack thereof. i type with one finger and with a broken arm, and it hurts to often to truely care about punctuations right now)
 

Step 1 Tools of the trade

 The tools of the trade. I use a shapened pin, a

"marks-a-lot" black marker, rubbing alcohol, a rag, and

white plastic cups from the "dollar store". some tracing

paper will help but not required.
 

Comments

[paperclip32]

 beautiful man.just plain beautiful

[FenrisLokison]

Echo tha paperclip32 echo that too the max. Kudos to Bishop-Jarney, will be doing this asap.

[bishop-jamey]

 just added the final pics. hope you all like them....

[woodeye53]

For a similar art form, Google 'Kolrosing"
Nice work on the mugs, by the way.

[Orchid-Black]

It looks great! My husband has some scrimshawed items, and I've always wanted to try out the technique. This gives me a chance to play with it. Thank you!

[feltonite]

 Is the ink safe to use on drinking utensils?

[bishop-jamey]

 Yes. the permanent ink is safe, its on the outside of the cup. i don't recommend licking the outside of the cup, but it is most likely cleaner than most peoples hands.  

[cjoshua]

i love prison art

[mikes686]

i love the art work on your cups, where did you get the pics for your designs?

[bishop-jamey]

 surfing the internet. i am always looking for cool pictures that might give me a challenge trying to etch. mostly i take requests from people i know. these make great gifts. the cup with the 4 dragons on it, was sold for $30.00 to a neighbor, after only a description of it, sight unseen. i hope to have it finished sometime tomorrow evening. pics of almost anything you like can be used. pick a subject, then do a google search for images, you will find something useful. good luck....

[iTinkers]

Really cool.

How well do they hold up?  Would they be usable in any way(as a mug) or are they purely decorative?
I imagine the ink would fade out pretty quickly if you were to use and wash them regularly.
Have you ever tried to cover them with a clear coat to seal the ink in?

I really like the look of them and would love to try to make one. I think it'd be awesome if it was fully functional. I'm just wondering if you, or anyone else, has any ideas on how to make them more durable.

[bishop-jamey]

 its permanent ink it sometimes fades a little, but even regular use for soda and juice then through the dish washer, they still last. ive got a couple from 7 years ago that still seem fine. if it fades, just re-ink it..... hope this helps.

[bishop-jamey]

 I added 4 new pics under step 9. I hope you like them....

 and thank you for your wonderful comments... ;)

[cowscankill]

Whoa! Those are so cool!

[crapflinger]

that's pretty spectacular.... i love scrimshaw (the carving and the beer)...it's a shame that most people claim it's not scrimshaw unless it's on a whale's tooth...i guess that's technically right but it's still the style that matters to me

my grandfather got me a "craft knife set" (can't call it exacto because it's not by them...and the quality is pretty low)...and it's got 3 or 4 handles with interchangable ends...and it's got 3 "pokey jobs" that would work pretty well for this...might have to give it a shot

[canida]

Wow, those are excellent!