Scrimshaw
For details, call Donna Haddow at 719-846-5724.
Continuing Education only - not for college credit
Learn the Art of Scrimshaw one-on-one with Jim Stevens. You do not need an interest in Gunsmithing to take this course. The techniques taught are the same for anyone wanting to learn how to create beautiful scrimshaw on ivory, resins, and powder horns. An intensive, hands-on course taught by artist, sculptor, and scrimshander Jim Stevens. Jim Stevens is a world-renowned scrimshander, writer and artist. He has three books published on scrimshaw techniques, has been commissioned to create works for collectors throughout the world, and is a Kennedy Center Registered VSA Artist in both the visual and literary arts. Jim brings his expertise and his no-fail attitude to inspire all who attend his classes. No other art form in American has a longer history. No other expression of art has such significance or influence on the American spirit.
Jim Stevens is a world-renowned scrimshander, writer and artist. He has been commissioned to create works of art for collectors throughout the world. Jim brings his expertise and his no-fail attitude with him to inspire all who attend his classes, paving the way for all to express themselves in a media that warms the soul. No other art form in American has a longer history. No other expression of art has such significance or influence on the American spirit.
Visit Jim’s website or email Jim at stevens@scrimshawstudio.com.
SCRIMSHAW TOOL/SUPPLY LIST:
The most expensive item on the following list is less than $40. I have purchased everything on the list and spent less than $100. All the items are small enough to carry in your luggage (don't pack liquids or aerosol cans) but it is still easier to buy what you can from the College supply store. Everyone will be given time on our first day to go to the supply store and purchase materials.
The College has a first-class tool, art and office supply store on campus. It is called "The Trek- Inn Bookstore", phone 719-846-5610. Their prices seem to be equal to or less than prices on the outside. Also, buying at the school store can definitely save you a lot of shopping or packing time. You can even give them a call ahead of time and let them know what you need so you can be assured they will have what you want when you arrive. If you already have any of these items, bring them. There's no need to repeat your purchases.
Where to shop, source index: (You can always order materials from the internet if you prefer.)
a = school store, b = local art store or jewelry supply store or hardware store,
c = local supermarket, d = local department store (like Walmart or Kmart)
Scrimshaw Materials:
The Scrimshaw materials in-class fee is $20. This offsets some of the cost of ivory, faux ivory, Tagua vegetable ivory, cattle horn, and black buffalo horn used for special in-class projects. This is the only in-class fee. I will have all these materials on hand when you arrive.
Headband Magnifier Note:
If you have one, bring it. For those buying one for the first time, Opti-visors headband magnifiers are one of the few that come with a choice of lenses. Lens powers are designated by the numbers 3,5,7, and10. A #3 lens is 1x magnification and allows you to work about 14 inches from your material. Not much bending, but frankly not much help either. A #5 is 2x magnification and allows you to work about 8 inches from your material. I find this is fine for most work. A #10 gives 3x magnification but only about 4 inches of work distance. This is great for minute details but can be hard on the back over long periods of time. I use a #5 Opti-visor lens for general work and switch to a #10 for those times when I need the extra power for very fine details. I guess the best advice I can give new buyers is to get what you think will work the best for you and what fits your budget.
Other Types of Magnification:
We will talk about Opti-visors, microscopes, thread counters, combination lamp/magnifiers, jewelers loupes, binocular loupes and other types of magnifiers during the course. If you already use any of these magnifiers (or another) and are comfortable and enjoy using what you have, go ahead and bring it.
Lighting (desk lamp note):
Our classroom has good desk lighting, however you may benefit from additional lighting on your bench. This is why a desk lamp is an optional item on the materials list. Your lamp should have a flexible neck so the light can be positioned at a very low or high angle to the working surface.
Other Items:
(Not required but nice. Bring them if you can.)
Plastic box for your tools and supplies. Notebook and pen (For taking notes during discussions). Seat cushion for your stool (they are hard). Three old hand towels (to pad your work and your elbows and for wiping your fingers). Also bring any additional tools and/or supplies you feel you may want or need and a file folder for holding handouts.
Continuing Education only - not for college credit
Learn the Art of Scrimshaw one-on-one with Jim Stevens. You do not need an interest in Gunsmithing to take this course. The techniques taught are the same for anyone wanting to learn how to create beautiful scrimshaw on ivory, resins, and powder horns. An intensive, hands-on course taught by artist, sculptor, and scrimshander Jim Stevens. Jim Stevens is a world-renowned scrimshander, writer and artist. He has three books published on scrimshaw techniques, has been commissioned to create works for collectors throughout the world, and is a Kennedy Center Registered VSA Artist in both the visual and literary arts. Jim brings his expertise and his no-fail attitude to inspire all who attend his classes. No other art form in American has a longer history. No other expression of art has such significance or influence on the American spirit.
Jim Stevens is a world-renowned scrimshander, writer and artist. He has been commissioned to create works of art for collectors throughout the world. Jim brings his expertise and his no-fail attitude with him to inspire all who attend his classes, paving the way for all to express themselves in a media that warms the soul. No other art form in American has a longer history. No other expression of art has such significance or influence on the American spirit.
Visit Jim’s website or email Jim at stevens@scrimshawstudio.com.
SCRIMSHAW TOOL/SUPPLY LIST:
The most expensive item on the following list is less than $40. I have purchased everything on the list and spent less than $100. All the items are small enough to carry in your luggage (don't pack liquids or aerosol cans) but it is still easier to buy what you can from the College supply store. Everyone will be given time on our first day to go to the supply store and purchase materials.
The College has a first-class tool, art and office supply store on campus. It is called "The Trek- Inn Bookstore", phone 719-846-5610. Their prices seem to be equal to or less than prices on the outside. Also, buying at the school store can definitely save you a lot of shopping or packing time. You can even give them a call ahead of time and let them know what you need so you can be assured they will have what you want when you arrive. If you already have any of these items, bring them. There's no need to repeat your purchases.
Where to shop, source index: (You can always order materials from the internet if you prefer.)
a = school store, b = local art store or jewelry supply store or hardware store,
c = local supermarket, d = local department store (like Walmart or Kmart)
| SOURCE | ITEM |
| a, b | One hobby knife handle (ie: X-Acto knife) (with rubber grip if you prefer) |
| a, b | Package of #11 hobby knife blades |
| a, b | One small tube of Titanium White artist's oil paint |
| a, b | One small tube of Ivory Black artist's oil paint |
| a,b | One #2 pencil (Mechanical pencil with fine-point HB lead also okay) |
| a, b | One black aquarellable pencil (Stabilo or other brand) |
| a, b | One white aquarellable pencil (Stabilo or other brand) |
| a, b | One pencil sharpener (small hand held type) |
| a, b | One roll of transparent tape |
| a, b | One pair of scissors |
| a, b | One pink eraser |
| a, b | A clear plastic ruler (6 inches long is fine) |
| a, b | One small can of spray adhesive |
| a, b | One small bottle of rubbing alcohol |
| a, b | One small pair of pliers |
| a, b | One headband magnifier (ie: Opti-visor or other brand) |
| a, b | Two sheets each of #220, #320, #400, and #600 wet/dry sandpaper |
| a, b | One small package of .0000 steel wool |
| a, b | One paper dust mask (to use while sanding and polishing) |
| a, b | Safety glasses or goggles (required in school’s tool shops) |
| c | One small package of facial tissue |
| c | One package #8 size Sharps hand sewing needles |
| c | One small package of cotton swabs (Q-tip or other brand) |
| c | One small package of toothpicks |
| d | One small flexible-neck desk lamp. (Optional - see lighting note below) |
| a, b | One double-ended reversible pin vise (one end with zero minimum capacity) |
Scrimshaw Materials:
The Scrimshaw materials in-class fee is $20. This offsets some of the cost of ivory, faux ivory, Tagua vegetable ivory, cattle horn, and black buffalo horn used for special in-class projects. This is the only in-class fee. I will have all these materials on hand when you arrive.
Headband Magnifier Note:
If you have one, bring it. For those buying one for the first time, Opti-visors headband magnifiers are one of the few that come with a choice of lenses. Lens powers are designated by the numbers 3,5,7, and10. A #3 lens is 1x magnification and allows you to work about 14 inches from your material. Not much bending, but frankly not much help either. A #5 is 2x magnification and allows you to work about 8 inches from your material. I find this is fine for most work. A #10 gives 3x magnification but only about 4 inches of work distance. This is great for minute details but can be hard on the back over long periods of time. I use a #5 Opti-visor lens for general work and switch to a #10 for those times when I need the extra power for very fine details. I guess the best advice I can give new buyers is to get what you think will work the best for you and what fits your budget.
Other Types of Magnification:
We will talk about Opti-visors, microscopes, thread counters, combination lamp/magnifiers, jewelers loupes, binocular loupes and other types of magnifiers during the course. If you already use any of these magnifiers (or another) and are comfortable and enjoy using what you have, go ahead and bring it.
Lighting (desk lamp note):
Our classroom has good desk lighting, however you may benefit from additional lighting on your bench. This is why a desk lamp is an optional item on the materials list. Your lamp should have a flexible neck so the light can be positioned at a very low or high angle to the working surface.
Other Items:
(Not required but nice. Bring them if you can.)
Plastic box for your tools and supplies. Notebook and pen (For taking notes during discussions). Seat cushion for your stool (they are hard). Three old hand towels (to pad your work and your elbows and for wiping your fingers). Also bring any additional tools and/or supplies you feel you may want or need and a file folder for holding handouts.