Knitting Something From Stone? Impossible!
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| A Lamp made from Michigan Agates |
I was invited to go to a "Rock/Geology Show" this weekend. The title is too good to not include in this writing, The Central Michigan Lapidary & Mineral Society, 48th Annual Show. If you're thinking like me, you thought, "I missed 47 shows already?"
I looked up lapidarist. It's "an expert in precious stones and the art or techniques used in cutting and engraving them".
They held the show at the fairgrounds in Mason, Michigan. I was surprised to see so many cars and even more surprised when I walked in the building and saw so many people of all ages. And rocks. Big, small, polished, natural, historical, prehistoric, I loved it. I met my friend, Carol Davis there and we started out with the "Rock Hound Pose" and walked out ,four hours later, with our spine rounded and our heads tilted forward.
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| Carol, demonstrating the "Rock Hound Pose" |
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| They'll Never Walk Straight Again! |
I learned so much. These people are eager to share what they know about their passion. One older gentleman, when Carol and I walked up to his table, started asking us questions about geology. (I eventually found out they were the questions he and his wife asks third grade students, when they go into the classrooms). I didn't have to pretend to know any of the answers, it was obvious I had no idea what he was talking about. Yet, I love to learn anything about rocks, rock formation, color, location, especially from a person who is happy to share.
They had a big mat spread out on the long table with large specimens labeled and glued to the mat. Specifically, so you could touch and ask questions. The couple admitted they had nothing to sell. They came to the show to talk about rocks.
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
My experience with rocks is limited. I have a strong passion for them, but I've never gone to any other states, besides Michigan, to dig for rocks. It piques my interest in doing it, though. I love to dig and love the notion of finding treasure. I never thought I'd see such a vast range of topics with rocks. Digging, polishing, sanding, drilling, cutting, even knitting! (more on that later)
Carol and I saw table exhibits on cooper, silver, precious and semi-precious stones. Stone beveling to let the most light in (like the diamond). The table of meteorite rocks was fascinating. One was so heavy, it was almost impossible to lift.
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| Meteorite Table |
We even saw a dinosaur egg! The fossil exhibit was fascinating, most of it antique. (I mean the collection. Of course the fossils are!)
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| Dinosaur Egg Fossils |
I was able to see tools I've never seen, pertaining to "Rock Hunting". The only tool I've ever used is a sturdy bag, several large pant pockets and a large spoon. About eight years ago, Dad made me a long walking-stick with a spoon, secured on the end, with holes in it. It made it easer to rock hunt, without constantly bending over. (I saw the one he made for Mom and really wanted one) The holes in the spoon let the water go through and leave the small stones in the spoon. The stick can also be used for pushing away the rocks to see the ones underneath.
I love to snorkel to find rocks, too. The water makes the colors come out and appear more vibrant. If you're rock hunting, at one of the Great Lakes, you're apt to get wet anyway. So, getting in all the way seems to makes sense.
At one table, man was working intently at something when we walked by. He had necklaces and bracelets for sale, so I just skimmed my eyes across his table and walked on.
Something reminded me of Dad working on his knots. When I went back, I realized what it was. It was the way he had the light directed over what he was working on. The way he used both hands equally. How meticulous and patient he was, with each step of his work.
Irwin "Grit" Turner
He works with a wooden piece with four small nails on top. It's just like the kind I use to use when I was a kid. I made a couple of ugly pot-holders with it, before I ran out of the bright colored yarn to use. But, he was using silver wired to weave with. He made it look easy watching the patience he had and ease of his hands handling the wire.
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| Grit's Design Tool for His "Knitting" |
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| Similar to the Tool I Remember Using as a Kid |
I talked to him for quite some time. The hand-made tool he uses to weaves looks much like the tool Dad made to make his knots that go around cylinders. Like the top of this bottle Dad made and secured, so it won't come loose.
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| Dad's Work on Top of a Bottle |
"Grit", the man's name, proudly told me he even made his own little clasp on the bracelet, so it wouldn't snag or come loose. He knew all about the levels of silver and copper and made sure I knew what to use to clean it. He said, "You can find it in any general store. It's called Tarn-X. It's in a black bottle."
I told him I'd send the pictures I took to his e-mail, on his card. "That e-mail doesn't work anymore," he said.
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| Notice the Bracelet on My Right Wrist |
"Withdraw into yourself and look. And if you do not yet find yourself beautiful, act as does the creator of a statue that is to be made beautiful; he cuts away here, he smoothes there, he makes this line lighter, this other purer, until from his work a lovely face has appeared. So do you also: cut away all that is excessive, straighten all that is crooked, bring light to all that is overcast, labour to make all one glow or beauty, and never cease chiseling your statue, until there shall shine out of you from it the godlike spendour of virtue, until you see the perfect goodness surely established in the stainless shrine." Plotinus (204-270)
Carol and I had a delicious dinner at a restaurant very difficult to find. (Even with GPS). The Chinese food was delicious and it looked like most of the customers were getting their food "To go". We had the whole place to ourselves. The restaurant is called Wonton.
(I also found another way to clean silver, using things from any kitchen.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRl5W3m7feY&noredirect=1
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