I have hit a brick wall with my research. I was all excited because I found “new” materials and when I dove into them, found they contain the same information I’ve found previously. This is great because it solidifies my findings, but frustrating because I was hoping to have new information to add to my project. While I have not given up hope on finding more data, I have decided to shift my focus for a bit.
In an attempt to recreate a Chinese toothbrush handle, I am going to spend some time learning how to carve bone. I purchased a good quality dust mask, dug into old PPE from my construction days for safety goggles, and verified that I still have good cut-resistant gloves. My tools are sharp, and I have bone already prepped and ready for carving.
I got a good dust mask, with replaceable filters and pads for the bridge of my nose. Currently, the plan is to change out the filter after each use. I’m sure that is being overly cautious, but bone dust is not something I want in my lungs.
Cut-resistant gloves and sharp tools go hand-in-hand. I made sure to purchase good gloves, and bought highly rated, but inexpensive tools. As my skill improves, I can consider additional tools down the line.
One cannot carve bones without bones. I found a seller on Etsy who sold me a lot of small wild animal bones. I did not look into specifics as to the types of animals. At this stage, I was looking for the least expensive bones I could find to practice. Once I become proficient, I can look for more period-appropriate bones.
Wish me luck!