Update on the new war memorial.

29 December, 2020 – 10:28 am

I have managed to spend a couple of days working on the 1st world war soldier but as you can imagine it was quite busy at Taurus Crafts. I am looking forward to getting back on with the carving in January.

I have put some short videos on my YouTube channel it shows some of the methods and chisels that I have been using. At this stage there isn’t any detailed work going on as I am roughing out the outlines to make sure that I have enough stone to create the right levels and detail.

I sculpted a portrait of George Hyett in clay from a photo taken over 100 years ago and I am using a photo of a 1st world war soldier to make sure I have all the details right.

                                            

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Shopping from your comfy chair.

4 December, 2020 – 4:51 pm

Now we have been placed into tier 4 and I am classed as a non-essential shop I am closed until further notice. I have put photos of what I have on my shelves. I have described and priced them all and whether they have been sold. If you would like to find out more you can contact me here .

I will number the photos so you can ask by the photo number and obviously the carving, creation or piece of jewellery that you are interested in. Most of my carvings and creations can be posted but obviously the heavier or more delicate items can’t.
If you would like to buy any of these things then I can take payment over the phone or by bacs and I can keep the heavier items until we are allowed to venture out again.

I am sorry for some of the over laps but I have taken some of the photos today, New Years Eve to make sure that I have up to date information. Please note that the carvings I create are unique and although I can carve something similar it is impossible to get the same piece of stone. The carving could be cast or I can carve a measured copy but then they wouldn’t be unique and that is something that I pride myself on.

My carvings are all done by hand, they are Forest of Dean sandstone, greens greys and some reds. Cumbrian sandstone, red. Welsh slate blue/black. Cornish slate, silvery green. Portland limestone, off white. French limestone creamy white. Tetbury limestone yellowy white. 

Some of my creations are casts of my original plaster carvings or clay models these are made using a weatherproof non-toxic material called Jesmonite.

All my sculptures are designed by me and they are either direct carvings or I have made a drawing or maquette to work from.
The paint I use is a weatherproof paint and the only things that I create that can’t go outside are my clocks.

My jewellery is designed by me and I make it from scratch using Welsh slate, quartz that I collected from Findhorn beach when I installed a sculpture in Scotland or Fresh water pearls and sterling silver. Each piece is unique and these can be made to order.

I also have some of the amazing Missfire‘s work, Clare works with metal to create beautiful items for your home and garden, she decorates them using her unique paint technique.

Everything I make can be redesigned to suit a specific budget or position. I can work to commission from your ideas or you can leave the design up to me.

Any questions don’t be afraid to ask.

Have a safe and Happy New Year.

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Bookends

27 November, 2020 – 10:16 am

I have a small selection of bookends available to buy from my shop at the moment. I have a pair that I have drawn ready to carve with a Greenman design and I hope to get them carved before Christmas.

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Carving a soldier

26 November, 2020 – 6:01 pm

I started carving the WWI soldier on the new war memorial for Mitcheldean and Abenhall yesterday, I made a short video of me starting to rough out around the outline of the shape.

Carving my soldier – YouTube 

I made excellent progress today and here are some photos including the photo of the 1st world war soldier that I am using as my model. The face will be George Hyett from Abenhall.

 

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Celebrating 15 years in business.

22 November, 2020 – 11:39 am
15 years ago I took the plunge and set up Cat’s Eye Carving, I left behind a regular income, paid holidays, sick pay and weekends off.
I have never worked harder in my life but the satisfaction I get from doing what I do is worth every hardship. My friends, family and in particular Ed have given me so much support over the years I couldn’t have got this far without them.
This year has been a struggle for so many reasons but I am coming out of this year stronger and I am looking forward to finishing my most important and largest commission, the new War memorial.
Thank you everyone for your continued support and custom, here’s to another 15 years.
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