I just got his new book (it's not out yet, but I have a friend who gets me proofs and advance copies). I hope to read it before I go see him.
What makes you say that? *stands awkwardly against the wall attempting to hide poster* Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I didn't mean prrof and advanced copies of HIS books, specifically. She works for a publisher, and gets me books she thinks I would be interesting. It's just my luck that THEY published his latest book.
**** the Dalai Lama. Anyone with the word "Llama" in his title, no matter the spelling, irritates me, because I hate that damn animal, and any word that sounds like it invokes nothing but pested annoyance. However, I respect the man himself.
Buddhists, you fucking prick. Though I don't agree with pacifism, the Dalai Lama has words of wisdom that it would wise to listen to.
Youll love it. Hes a cool guy. Great sense of humor too. My friends and kids and I just saw him in Sunvalley Idaho for two days the weekend of 9/11. The choir group my daughter sings in was invited to sing for him. I carved a dorje out of clear quartz for him, and met some people through a friend who were doing a private tea cermony for his brother, and I gave it to them to give to him to give the dalai lama, which they did.It was a great experience. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I DID love it. Pardon my ignorance, but what implements do you use to carve quartz? Do you have a picture of the dorje? I would love to see it.
I use lapidary equipment like a cabbing machine ( for making cabachons and other things ) that have diamond impregnated grinding wheels and a water supply to keep them cool and lubed while working. I have a diamond table saw/trim saw, that uses oil to keep the blade cool while cutting. I use a tool like a foredom tool for carving details, with diamond carving bits and water for coolant. Lots of other tools too really. lets see, here are two different stages of it., its about four finger widths long... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! and later, Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!. Theres a depressing story about why I dont have a picture of it completely finished but its too early in the morning here for that heh.
Beautiful piece of craft work. Where do you learn the skills to do that? Just from books or are there specific classes you can go to? peace c20
Ive never been really good at learning things from classes. Anyways, I dont think there are very many schools in the US that teach gemstone carving. Most carvers from this country anyways are self taught. I am too so far. I have a long ways to go yet, but Im getting pretty good after 5 years (this month) or 10,000 + hours.The carving part isnt the difficult part, its the finishing of the stone that kills, the polishing part. ugh. There are things about that Id really like someone to teach me, at this point. But as it stands, Im still my teacher. Fortunately I have a great benefactor for gem rough.,Its not an easy sport to get into when youre poor like I am.,Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I have some pictures in a myspace profile if youd like to look, of some other things Ive made. www.myspace.com/vossist_artists. I also have a picture archive site of stuff Ive done. PM for the address if youd like to Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Btw, for those of you who want to see the lecture, it's downloadable. http://www.president.rutgers.edu/dalailama/video.shtml
Wow, that dorje is pretty cool. I can certainly appreciate the handiwork, since I'm a professional model maker. What's a dorje?
Does anyone know what the beads on the Dali Lama's wrist symbolize? He wears them in the video I mentioned. What's up with that? I'm asking because I don't think it has anything to do with fashion.