In a nutshell

[Sojourner]

First in a series - hopefully - of iconic images set in walnut shells.

[Serinde]

How interesting! How did you do that -- or is it a secret?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Wow !
Like Serinde I'd love to know how you do them.

[Sojourner]

Nutshell 2


The most difficult bit is cutting the shell along the "fault line" without splitting it, once done and the edges flattened, the actual model is made from thin card and copy paper, glued together - with the assistance of my led magnifying lamp, also used for stitching. The hinge is a scrap of fine embroidery fabric I have actually seen the Taj, and the Opera House, more interesting to make things I've visited. Next on the list is Colosseum, St Paul's, Westminster Palace, etc.
A friend brought back a large bag of nuts from Cyprus, otherwise I'd have had to wait until Xmas!

[fccs]

That’s absolutely amazing! More?

[Sojourner]

This is how the nutshells started out - a cross stitch "card" for a friend's daughter's wedding. Sewn on 40ct verdal evenweave with 2 strands of pure silk and 28 needle. I tried using 1 strand of DMC at first, but the silk gave a much better finish, albeit tricky to work. My friend's other daughter married 3 weeks later, so I did a similar one for her.
I think they managed to secrete the ring inside the shell

[richardandtracy]

That really is something.

I know my wife would do a sterling or fine silver capping and hinge for the cut edges of the walnut out of Precious Metal Clay. Could use a negligible kerf saw like a veneer saw for cutting the nut. Sorry just mulling ideas around - thinking aloud by text. May show her this thread as she'd be fascinated.
Wish our walnut produced nuts, but after 14 years it's only 6" taller than it was when planted. Hrrumph. But then we never get any of our hazelnuts, so why should a walnut be different?

Regards,

Richard

[Sojourner]

I do use a fine modelmaking saw for the cuts, but even then it's easy to go off course, and walnuts are not the easiest shapes to hold.....
I tried several ways of making the hinge: thin wire, thick thread, even paper which worked OK but not very durable. Thin fabric reinforced with super glue seems the best way - so far.

[Podolyanka]

People's talents have no limits, that's for sure. Your work is really fascinating.

As a person working with miniatures, you may like to look at this:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/kievs-mus ... iny-things.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_ ... =236311549

[Sojourner]

People's talents have no limits, that's for sure. Your work is really fascinating.

As a person working with miniatures, you may like to look at this:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/kievs-mus ... iny-things.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_ ... =236311549

Yes, I have seen his amazing work on the internet, and would love to visit Kiev one day for a first hand view.
We aso have in UK Willard Wigan - the man who sculpted " The Last Supper" - among others - in the eye of a sewing needle.
I think I have rather a long way to go yet...

[Squirrel]

They are totally awesome and amazing. I am certainly looking forward to the next showing of this amazing work.

[rcperryls]

They are totally awesome and amazing. I am certainly looking forward to the next showing of this amazing work.

As am I! I love miniatures and yours are fascinating!

Carole

[karen4bells]

They are totally awesome and amazing. I am certainly looking forward to the next showing of this amazing work.

I absolutely agree!! Wow!!!

[Sojourner]

For completeness, closed nut

[Sojourner]

When in Rome....

[Mabel Figworthy]

Interesting to see the closed nut as well, it just gives an extra sense of the dimensions!