Post #597463 by MajikImaje on Wed, Jul 13, 2011 11:56 PM

It doesn't matter which type material you use. It must be at least 3/16" of an inch thick to follow along with these steps that I am trying to illustrate and explain in a simple manner.

Baleen is easily 'scratched' during the process of making the pieces, Later these same pieces will be polished to a brilliant shine that resembles black glass. "It is the 'shine' that sells"

We use 3 basic shapes when making bracelets;

Short stubby - narrow oval - & hearts. Those are basically the only 3 shapes we work with for bracelets. Use your imagination and explore other shapes.

To begin to cut out an inset from a shape drawn on the material. Tip the burr bit in the center of the shape and begin to dig into the baleen or ivory and let the burr bit do the cutting while you guide it slowly making the hole wider and larger to approach the drawn lines. Cut up to, but do not cut away any of the line.