My name is LeeC, I have been a Mammoth Ivory Carver for about 25 years. I was born and raised in Alaska in the small settlement near Mantasta. I spent my younger years in Tok and my formidable years in Nenana, an Athabascan Indian village of about 250 people.
As a young girl growing up in Nenana, I became a dog musher and made friends with the Carson family. I would latter become apprentice to Mike Carson, a Master Ivory Carver and Knife Maker. I spent 17 years working and learning from the master, before branching off on my own.
Part of my apprenticeship would be finding and recording the conditions, of all the bones and ivory found, basically Laymen Paleontology work. In doing so I was able to meet and visit with scientist from the largest museums in the country. I learned a lot about the animals of the Paleolithic Period and the world they lived in.
All of this has taught me to greatly respect the resources I use in my jewelry making. I use only Ivory that is naturally colored, and so as not to disrespect that animal that gave me the ivory, I use only the finest gemstones and other exotic goodies I can acquire.
Another aspect of my jewelry making is that nothing is ever wasted. Nothing is ever duplicated and I let the Ivory become what it wishes to become.
I work in the lost art of Intaglia, kin to Intarsia, but using a backing piece of Ivory and steel pins instead of glues. A basic 3 dimensional art form of sculpture where ever single piece must fit with such precision that there are no gaps on any surface. This is done by hand with no magnification.
I feel that my main job as a Master Mammoth Ivory Carver is to educate people as to what the ivory truly is and to let them know that it is not illegal, but a natural resourse that is truly beautiful.
Thanks for visiting. If you have questions please ask as it gives me something to write about. LeeC
leehulcher
Latest posts by leehulcher (see all)
- Back from Alaska - December 9, 2013
- Fossil Mammoth Ivory Feather Necklace - September 17, 2012
- Fossil Mammoth Ivory Orchid Necklace with Garnet Center - September 17, 2012
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Carolyn,
Thank you for you kind words, and interest in working Mammoth Ivory. I left you a lenghty answer in Tools of the Trade on this blog.
Enjoy LeeC
mammothivorycreations.com
Hi LeeC,
I recently bought a small peice of mammoth ivory at a lapidary sale and plan to use it for jewelry. What tools are used to saw and grind?
Your work is amazing and your history is intriguing. Thanks for the explanation of intaglia and intarsia.
Carolyn