High in the Arctic !! Eskimo.... [Sitemap] - Page 2

Majik Imaje

Jan-09-2010, 02:05 PM

Nope, there is no such thing.. ..as getting used to it.. everyone gets cold.

Yes it is true. people do run out in the cold with just normal attire to empty trash or get something. But quickly run back in.. the children do not do that. they run to escape putting that parky back on.

Even in severe weather it is not umcommon to see teens outside with just tennis shoes and shortcuts in sub zero weather.

A friend of mine from Boston flew to barrow last Jan. Brad Parker he was the one who came up to Point Hope in 1983. To witness the spring hunt. We were playing chess when Joe Frankson got his whale right in front of us.

Last January it was 40 below when Brad Arrived. He had a huge winter parky on (white man style) and had the hood up and closed the entire time he was outside. He did not want to feel that cold on his face.

We kept trying to get him to relax and take his hood down.. he wouldn't.

Back inside the house, sitting at the table wearing just a T-shirt I said. why are you so afraid to open that hood and feel the air. Its too cold he said.

I said.. (he has two sweaters on) lets go outside and I opened the door and stood outside with just a T-shirt and socks-very thin sweat pants. come on out Brad- the weather is fine. He would not come out.. I was standing there @ 40 below dressed like this and he finally ventured out.. but he ran back in quckly when he felt the sudden extreme drop in the air temps.. I laughed and laughed. then after he ran back in I walked back in and sat down laughing. the expression on his face when he felt that blast of cold from the fridgid arctic air was truely priceless !!

http://majikimaje.com/brw/brad.jpg

Dogdots

Jan-09-2010, 05:26 PM

Good photo showing how 2 different people dress :rofl

I was out today when it was -18* and the windchill was almost -30*, but I had 2 pairs of sweats on. Stayed out for 1/2 hour taking test shots and didn't get cold, but my face could really feel the bite the bitter wind had.

I don't know if that's a sunset or sunrise behind the guys, but it sure is beautiful :thumb

Majik Imaje

Jan-09-2010, 07:38 PM

Well the time is 11:30 a.m. the sun is going to attempt to rise but it will not make it above the horizon. We have dusk for about 2 hours per day- it is light enough to read a newspaper outside-.

On one forum one woman said. Now I know your lying because we all know - six months darkness & six months of light you said it was dark and got light again in the same day.

Here is how it really works - there is no such thing as six months light and six months darkness NOT IN ALASKA.

The sun sets on November 18th and it will not come ABOVE the horizon again until Jan 24th.

This image was created Jan 12 @ 12:02 !!

Once we hit February towards the end - we have the same light / darkness as you do. BUT .. IN March - we gaining 20 minutes more light each day.
In Barrow once we reach the end of April we are quickly approaching 24 hours per sunlight each day until Mid August NO DARKNESS FOR 89 DAYS!!

There is no such thing - in the arctic (alaska) as a day with no light ! We have light every single day of the year.

http://majikimaje.com/images/sleep-sit.jpg

Majik Imaje

Feb-21-2010, 10:47 AM

Spring Whaling begins all over again - in March / April

crews are getting ready to begin the hunt !

http://majikimaje.com/brw/ttg.jpg

Dogdots

Feb-22-2010, 07:44 AM

Looking forward to seeing the photos you get this spring :D

Majik Imaje

Apr-22-2010, 02:50 PM

I have some new photos for you. not about whaling but 'something different' that you never see.. 'skin sewing' for an umiaq. You just ain't gonna believe what is required to sew these skins together - (chuckle). This is a full days work - requiring many people, that never complain !! ha ha !! watch & learn.. .. The Inupiaq Way !!

You ain't gonna believe this - until you see it !! (stay tuned) !!

http://majikimaje.com/Apr-10-800/up-close.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-23-2010, 12:47 AM

Notice how her fingers are protected - so as not to slice them open when pulling that sinew. Great skill is required for these skins to be perfectly fitted to the umiaq. Think about that.. 'sew six skins together to form a water tight covering for a wooden boat frame to carry 8 people safely, in frigid arctic waters that mean instant death if you fall in.

http://majikimaje.com/Apr-10-800/sinew1.JPG

These women.. spent a total of four days - working on this project !! Messy - oily - clothing is well protected and a huge massive sheet of visqueen is used constantly to protect the skins and the person working on them. A shield so to speak.

http://majikimaje.com/Apr-10-800/Lets-sew.JPG

Dogdots

Apr-23-2010, 05:20 AM

Looks like really tuff and messy work. Laying on the floor like that must get really uncomfortable. I can see why they need to be precise on their sewing...It carries precious cargo.

Looking forward to seeing more photos you have to share with us.

Art Scott

Apr-23-2010, 06:52 AM

Your stories never cease amazing me. Fantastic......THANK YOU

Majik Imaje

Apr-23-2010, 12:41 PM

This is a lot of work - easily discerned - but workers get hungry - and a special "Box - lunch" is available. Lots to eat !! Sorry - I just couldn't resist !!

http://majikimaje.com/Apr-10-800/Box-lunch.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-25-2010, 10:53 PM

These stiches need to be tight & waterproof !! Great care is taken on each and every stitch !!

http://majikimaje.com/Apr-10-800/stiches.JPG

ian408

Jan-07-2011, 06:47 PM

Many of you will notice a number of posts missing from this thread. This is because those posts are not related to photography.

Dgrin is first and foremost a forum for sharing as it relates to photography and the decision to go through the thread was not made lightly. Going forward, I'd like all of you to keep the comments related to photography.

Thanks.

Majik Imaje

Jan-19-2011, 09:56 AM

This is just so kewl, I had to post it here.
click on the link. The book will come to life;
Place your cursor on the right side of the book (anywhere)
click/hold & drag the book open by moving the mouse from right to left - continue turning pages back and forth and ENJOY!!

http://majikimaje.com/books/cover.jpg

CLICK HERE (http://majikimaje.com/WordPress/wp-content/plugins/page-flip-image-gallery/popup.php?book_id=10)

Majik Imaje

Jan-31-2011, 12:31 PM

Thank you all so very much for spending your valuable time; gazing at my passionate work of love for these incredible people(s).

Dogdots

Jan-31-2011, 02:32 PM

I enjoyed looking at the photos in the book. What a wonderful idea.

Thank you for sharing it with us :D

Majik Imaje

Jan-31-2011, 02:40 PM

I enjoyed looking at the photos in the book. What a wonderful idea.

Thank you for sharing it with us :D

I am going to load that book; with 500 images including text !!

This new library of books you can save and are automatically updated will consist of more than 1/2 dozen different books on Inupiaq (In you pack) lifestyle !!

Art Scott

Jan-31-2011, 03:07 PM

Great photos .....I wish I had such wonderful subject to be photoing........

I am going to load that book; with 500 images including text !!

This new library of books you can save and are automatically updated will consist of more than 1/2 dozen different books on Inupiaq (In you pack) lifestyle !!

Can we have a link to that library??? Please:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow

Great photos .....I wish I had such wonderful subject to be photoing

Are you using Flip Album software for the book???

Majik Imaje

Feb-12-2011, 09:46 PM

Great photos .....I wish I had such wonderful subject to be photoing........

Can we have a link to that library??? Please:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow

Great photos .....I wish I had such wonderful subject to be photoing

Are you using Flip Album software for the book???

All the current books are on my blog on the left side (scroll down)

the links are here on this page. above this post. save links and photos and you have your own book - I am using a wordpress plugin - pageflip

Lets go "walkabout" in Barrow and see some of the village.
Have you ever wondered how they cover an umiaq ? Yes they use skins from an Ugruk (oog rook) Six of them to be exact. But this takes time to hunt for that many animals. and there is a lot of work - by the women to prepare these skins.

http://majikimaje.com/July-09-800/oogruk.JPG
I will spare you all the details
http://majikimaje.com/July-09-800/oogruk2.JPG
These skins have to be prepared a certain way and they take major time to dry out in the wind. The smell is potent !!
http://majikimaje.com/July-09-800/prep.jpg
The meat and blubber is stored; the skins are hung up to dry and stretched.
http://majikimaje.com/July-09-800/finish.JPG
All of those last 4 images were created while the camera was inside the house !!

Majik Imaje

Feb-13-2011, 01:46 AM

AND .. .. of course - walrus - and meat hanging up - that at times does not really look edible - hanging outside for months.
http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/foodW2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/foodW.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/thewalrus.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/tuskW.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/tuskW2.JPG

Majik Imaje

Feb-13-2011, 01:47 AM

Just by walking around the village; you can see people preparing skins or food; in many households. You just never know what your going to see, outside of any one home - food - bones- baleen - skins- umiaqs and well I will let these photos speak for them selves.
http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/OOG1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/OOG2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/OOG3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/Baleen.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/NEWBRW/antlers.JPG

Majik Imaje

Feb-15-2011, 12:58 PM

More than 100 new images have been put into that Blue Book that you can save as your personal copy.

I have 400 more to place in this book - with text!!

Majik Imaje

Mar-02-2011, 02:37 PM

My next door neighbor; asks my sons; Do you want fresh meat ??

My husband is going caribou hunting; he needs help - go with him!!

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/gohunt.jpg

I kinda like watching the kids - making bubbles; My sons have never been caribou hunting; this is going to be a treat for them; And a welcome relilef from purchasing ground beef at the AC store; Caribou has no fat, it is delicious and tastes very much like beef. It just depends on how you cook it !!

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/b1.JPG
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/b2.JPG
Lots of parts from broken down snowmachines of years ago. Nothing is ever thrown away in the Arctic; Save it. Someday someone will need something for spare parts. It (sounds good)!!
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/yard.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/boat.JPG
We sure didn't expect to use a boat to go caribou hunting ??

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/looking.JPG
oh OH.. Now I know; why he needed help; You want me to walk ??
way over there ??
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/walk.JPG
This is the last thing I ever expected to have to endure for caribou hunting !!
Come on boys.. follow me !!!

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/rusure.JPG
Free meat - all you want! The Inupiaq people only take; that which is needed to eat.
Many different traditions are still used in the preparation of the skins & meat.

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c1.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-02-2011, 02:53 PM

Caribou = tuttuu (2-2) I like to use my imagination in many different ways & methods; I like to START something; and I did recently in Point Hope & in Barrow. It caught on like wildfire!! Hey Dave ? what is your phone # ? People would often ask me. Only the last four digits are ever given because everyone in town (village) knows the first three #'s. So that part is useless information. So when I answered them I would say ... Twenty eight caribou !! ??? The looks I would get... what ??? 2-8-2-2 !! HUGE LAUGHTER would erupt; It would take a second to catch on... but soon, everyone in town was doing the same thing for people that has those two numbers together in their phone #. Just a little arctic village humor!!
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c5.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c6.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-02-2011, 05:39 PM

It all depends on where the herd(s) are located as to where we go to hunt. If you google: largest caribou herd in Alaska you will be shocked to discover that - THAT HERD is over 400,000 caribou !!!
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/c7.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/home.JPG

The END of another long day; we will have to finish this work tommorrow.
We got two caribou; there is more than enough meat to last for many months.
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/late.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/later.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-02-2011, 07:44 PM

Tradition has it that whenever a hunter kills his first animal (of any type except polar bear) he must eat from that animal; Choices are: the tongue; liver; heart; intestines; etc.

That ritual is accomplished out in the field. The head is removed along with all the insides. Left there in the field. (for other animals).

Yawn: waking up early; we have work to do. and meat to get into the freezer. Remove the skin and set it out to dry in the wind.

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/work.JPG

The whole idea is to remove the skin - in one large piece!

Certain cuts are skillfully placed at key points on the upper legs and rear.

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/working.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/start.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/skinit.JPG

Cuts are made at each of the leg joints to separate the different portions; The bottom portion of the leg skin is used for the sides of mukluk boots. The upper portion of the leg skin are used for parky's - hats - pants etc. The main use for the big body skin is for sitting - for comfort and warmth. Caribou is a very dense heavy fur; There is no way one would use it for a hunting parky.

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/leg.JPG

Khis is using a knife; Mark is using an ulu knife. Much more efficient!

Majik Imaje

Mar-03-2011, 08:08 PM

Moving along and finishing this portion ..

http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/finish.JPG

A native tan is used to finish the skins. This consists of scraping the skin with a very sharp ulu knife.
http://majikimaje.com/EOJ-09-800/finishskin.JPG
I can't speak enough about how delicious caribou meat is; sliced very thin; fried up with onions & mushrooms on a sub roll with lots of cheese !!! SLURP!!

Next up: Umiaq Races !!

Majik Imaje

Mar-03-2011, 08:46 PM

There is not much to say here; the photos say it all 1 - 2- 3 : GO !!!
http://majikimaje.com/races-water/B1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/B2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/B3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/B4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/B5.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-03-2011, 08:50 PM

The whole idea .. see which crew can go out to the red maker turn around and make it back to land first ! .. ... this was a very close race !

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E5.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E6.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-03-2011, 08:51 PM

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E7.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E8.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E9.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/races-water/E10.JPG

Majik Imaje

Mar-04-2011, 07:39 AM

A very old polar bear skull !

http://majikimaje.com/Bear/one.jpg

SMILE !

http://majikimaje.com/Bear/two.jpg

Dogdots

Mar-04-2011, 08:18 AM

Majik Imaje

Mar-14-2011, 03:15 PM

Again I enjoyed your series of photos. Looks like they are true hunters .. using all which they hunt.

Boat race looks like fun :D

Passing down traditions of how to prepare the skins is a tradition that hopefully will carry on over many generations.

The Inupiaq way of learning is by 'watching' .. .. Some else do the work; that is how everything is learned up here; Reading is virtually a non-existant method used in 'teaching'!

Majik Imaje

Apr-01-2011, 06:43 AM

The Inupiaq way of learning is by 'watching' .. .. Someone else does the work; that is how everything is learned up here; Reading is virtually a non-existant method used in 'teaching'!

I sure butchered that last sentence; corrections are fixed to protray the accurate meaning.

Majik Imaje

Apr-01-2011, 03:52 PM

Now finally I can post these missing images that took me so long to locate.
Well since this thread is all about obtaining food; this fits right in.
LETS GO: on another adventure; Seal Hunting. This is not an easy task to accomplish;
For one; a seal only sticks his head up out of the water for a second or two, you must be an expert shot. to hit that small target from far away; If you do hit the seal (with a bullet)- shot from a rifle; There is a problem finding it or getting it. when that bullet hits the seal. The seal sinks in the water. YOu need a "Niqsit" to retrieve that animal. This is no easy task.
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8414.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/niqsit.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/niqsit2.jpg
A niqsit (nick sit) is a tool the hunter must make for himself; You cannot purchase them, they are hand made. Each one is different depending on who made it. Sometimes Ivory is used to embed the hooks to snag the animal. This is thrown way out into the water - to snag the seal as it sinks in the water. Finding the seal is very difficult to do. There is a definite knack to finding that animal after it goes under. If you can throw it that far out.

There are 3 different methods to seal hunting. Use an umiaq; use a metal boat when you have to travel very far - or - WALK. I have photos of all three methods being used for this post.

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/img910.jpg

The Arctic is home to at least six varieties of seals, sometimes called ice seals because they spend most of their time on or near the ice.The melting of the Arctic ice caps has endangered the habitat of some species, especially those that live near the outer reaches of the ice. Efforts to save these beautiful animals are underway, and public awareness is key in that struggle.

Spotted Seals

Like sea lions and walruses, spotted seals belong to a group of mammals called pinnipeds. Spotted seals, like other ice seals, rely on the ice for feeding, resting and pupping. They are a medium-sized seal, smaller than bearded seals and larger than the ringed and ribboned seals. An adult male can reach approximately five feet in length and weigh as much as 200 pounds. Their coloration is usually a silverish gray, broken up by darker spots and splotches. They can be found in the Bering Sea year round.

Harp Seals

Harp seals swim the cold Arctic waters feeding on fish and crustaceans. They can stay submerged underwater for up to fifteen minutes. Their gray or yellowish colored bodies are marked with a darker saddle across their backs. Harp seals can grow as long as six feet, and may weigh up to 600 pounds. Hundreds of thousands are harvested each year in seal hunts, and they are the favorite prey of polar bears. Environmentalists and animal rights activists are especially concerned about the harp seals' future because the fluffy, white fur of the young is prized by trappers and hunters.

Bearded Seals

Bearded seals are the largest of the group called ice seals. A male can weigh as much as 800 pounds at his heaviest, and measure 8 feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, excluding his flippers. Even the young are larger than many adult seals; a pup can weigh 75 pounds at birth and measure 4 feet long. Alaskan Eskimos have hunted the bearded seals for centuries. The seals provide them with meat, oil and hides. Polar bears also prey on bearded seals, although the seals usually rest near a break in the ice which provides a quick escape. Bearded seals, unlike some Arctic seals, have no distinctive markings. They are usually dark gray or brown in color.

Hooded Seals

Hooded seals are often blamed for reduced fish populations.
fish image by rufar from Fotolia.com Hooded seals are a migratory species of seals and have been found in waters as far south as the Caribbean. Their name is derived from the elastic sac that extends from their noses to their foreheads. Males inflate the "hood" to demonstrate aggression, and the hooded seal is considered one of the most aggressive species of seals. Males will grow to as much as 9 feet in length and can weigh up to 800 pounds. The females are smaller. The young, called "bluebacks" because of their distinctive blue-gray coloration, are sometimes hunted for their pelts.

Ringed Seals

Ringed seals are migratory and live wherever they find sea ice.
seal image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com Ringed seals are the smallest of the pinnipeds, and rarely exceed five feet in length or 150 pounds in weight. Ringed seals have no distinctive coloration, but are usually gray with dark spots and a light underbelly. They are also the most common of the Arctic seals, and have long been an important part of the Alaskan economy. They provide food and consumable products for coastal Eskimos. Conservative estimates state that there are more than 250,000 ringed seals in Arctic waters. Polar bears, killer whales and walruses all prey upon ringed seals.

Ribbon Seals

Ribbon seals are the most elusive and unusual of the Arctic seals. When they are seen, their distinctive markings make it very easy to identify them. Mature adults have four white bands of color, resembling ribbons, on a dark background. One ribbon encircles their necks, one encircles their posterior, and the other two encircle their foreflippers. The ribbon seal is also unique because it has an air structure not found in other seals. Scientists are not sure exactly what the air structure does, but think it may help produce sound or provide buoyancy when diving or swimming.

The skin of a spotted seal

http://majikimaje.com/images/sealskin.jpg

These skins are worth a lot of money; Clothing is the main use of the skins. Gloves; Mittens, Hats, Vests, Mukluks and even Parky's are made from this totally water proof skin. Purses are popular also.

Art Scott

Apr-01-2011, 07:35 PM

another blow your mind post.....Extremely well done.....

Majik Imaje

Apr-02-2011, 10:51 AM

A 'seal' is a very small animal when it is in the water far away and sticks its head up for a couple of seconds. You only have seconds to make that shot.
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEAL.jpg

How good of a shot you are; Will determine if your family is able to eat !
The question arises: Just how to you put a seal in the refrigerator or freezer they are so big?
Well you need a good understanding of Inupiaq Technology for that solution.
http://majikimaje.com/images/seals5.jpg

The Inupiaq word for seal is Natchiq (nah chick) Earl Kingiik from Point Hope has that word as his Eskimo name. People are named not because of what the word means; but rather for the 'sound' of the word.
When you sneeze; you make the sound - Ah-choo. Believe it or not that sound is what prompted the Oktollik family to name their new dog - Achu. They did not name him for what that word means (I don't know). They used that name because they like the sound of that word.
IN fact: there are 3 different ways to say "I don't know" in Inupiaq. Achu - Ami - or Nalarunga.

Let me use this next photo to describe how a niqsit is used properly.
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8413.jpg

That small peg is used by wrapping the index & middle finger around each side of the peg. This is hoisted far above the head (of the person throwing it) and spun in a circle above your head. As you spin the short portion of the rope with the weight. Careful aim is directed at the target and let it all fly. Drag the rope back until you hook or catch the hooks on the animal and bring it to shore. (if lucky). Or successfull !!

Majik Imaje

Apr-03-2011, 02:16 PM

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8415.jpg
Patience is the name of the game - The Inupiaq way of life is: .. .. wait !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8423.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8427.jpg

Take a walk - be careful - this ice is very thin in many places.
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8430.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8424.jpg

Majik Imaje

Apr-03-2011, 02:36 PM

This is a wicked mess to sort out if you mess it all up and get it tangled.
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8561.jpg

The Arctic is a very lonely quiet place to hunt. What a way to go food shopping eh ??
http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8422.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8419.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/Mark-seal.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8543.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8545.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8546.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8547.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8421.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8553.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8555.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8554.jpg

It is a long walk home; but food is on the table so to speak. The end of another day. Now lets hop into a boat and go look for seals.. ...

Majik Imaje

Apr-03-2011, 02:39 PM

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8442.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8447.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8456.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8436.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8485.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8437.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8438.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/DSC_8509.jpg

This is just the greatest place on earth. I would not want to live another place on this entire planet. do you look forward to food shopping with this much excitement and adventure? (chuckle). !!

Stella7d

Apr-03-2011, 07:50 PM

David, this is the most remarkable post I have ever seen!! I felt like I was reading National Geographic or watching a documentary! Your stories are wonderful and your images capture the their true lifestyle perfectly! I have learned so much about a new culture and their way of life. I have learned about a new region on the globe and the way people must adapt I order to survive! What an amazing experience this must be for you! I have friends who lived in Barrow for many years, but really had no idea it was so primitive up there. I can't thank you enough for sharing all of this with us!! :)

Art Scott

Apr-03-2011, 08:00 PM

So do the people of Barrow make much stink fin??? I hear it could kill a whiteman but the natives love it....or is it a slightly warmer clim. delicacy (meaning just below the arctic circle)....I do not even like Kim Che so I do not think I could get close to Stink Fin unless i was on my last starving minute of life...then I am not sure.

another great series of pix!!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-04-2011, 12:59 PM

Thank you for all the wonderful comments. As far as 'stink'meat is concerned; I have never gotten that close to it. It is not my type of phood.

Yes it can kill you if you eat fermented blubber (whale) any sugar ingested that day will cause a person to become extremely sick from botulisim.

Let me round up the next group of images - so stay tuned for more of:

High in the Arctic .. .. Eskimo!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 06:20 PM

Do you really want to make extra dollars per week working @ home ??
This is very easy to do and accomplish no matter where you live.
You...; yes you! Have taken your valuable time to spend with me; Now I want to reward you and share a little known secret. This is something hundreds of familes do every day @ home. The main reason they do this.. There are no jobs in the villages. (The smaller villages - lots & lots of them). Well there are no jobs. This is what people do... they work @ home.. .. making 'something. Most of these familes are huge as in ten members or more. The only way they survive (all over this state of Alaska) is by working.. @ home and some - a lot of people make outrageous money.
I have four inupiaq sons. I taught them how to carve ivory;- .. .. I know absolutely nothing about this (sorta) but I do know the steps it takes to make ear-rings & bracelets. I watched an expert - the best .. every day for 5 months.
I taught my sons how to carve by speaking 5 simple sentences to them. that's all I did.
Now I am going to take you step by step through the whole creation process.
You will learn everything necessary to make gorgeous Ivory bracelets and ear-rings and these sell like hot-cakes in any part of the world.
The most $$ my sons ever made was 3k in just one day. This is a cash business. The most they ever made in one week was many months later.. .. one week... nine thousand. I won't tell you what is possible for a month!!
Do you have children? Teach them... !

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 06:25 PM

The laws concerning ivory are simple to understand and comprehend

Elephant ivory is against the law - world wide ban!

RAW-WHITE WALRUS IVORY TUSKS are against the law for anyone other than an Inupiaq / Yu'pik native to own possess or
carve on.
Fossil Ivory- Mastodon Ivory - Mammoth Ivory is / are fair game for anyone to own - possess - sell - carve on etc.
there are NO RESTRICTIONS.

BEACH WASHED WHITE IVORY tusks are fair game to anyone that finds them. Just bring them to fish & game to be tagged
and they are all yours all legal like. NO RESTRICTIONS.

There are literally hundreds of people that do this daily in many different villages all throughout the entire State
of Alaska. For some families - this is the only way to generate income to provide for their familes due to such high
unemployment in the smaller villages. This is a job - YOU must treat it as such- put in the necessary time & it will
pay you huge rewards that you never ever thought possible.
It is all done in the same exact simple manner. Make a slice that is 3/16th's of an inch thick. At first learn how
to cut 1/4" slices; Then you can sand each side for a brilliant smooth finish with no scratches of any type. This
piece of large mastodon ivory was sent to us; by a person from City-Data who trusted us. This piece would have cost
about $400 to purchase. That person just wanted to give it to us. but we said we would make some bracelets & ear-
rings. We agreed to do it all - for free - and send the results back to that person who has shown faith & trust in
us. Another purpose we thought of - was to post all the steps for people who want to really learn how simple it is
to make outrageous money from home.
ANYONE: can purchase ivory from Alaska Fur Exchange in Anchorage.
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/CUT.JPG
Learning how to cut STRAIGHT is a must to practice & learn; We will post photos here of how we slice exact slices
every time with no ruler or lines or measurements! Learn to use your "eyes".. Look at the photo; and notice; he is
using his thumbnail to rest the saw blade against for the start of the cut; But at first; make marks 1/4 " of an
inch apart apart on a piece of ivory and then begin to cut them straight.
Don't waste your time by making just one cut at a time; You will not learn squat using that method;
But instead make many cuts and work them all down (at once). THEN you will BEGIN to NOTICE; how to cut perfectly
straight perfect slices every time. "There are no shortcuts to practice"! This is time consuming & boring, there are
no two ways about it; Using an electric saw or other electric method will not produce the same results, Unless you
have quite the setup - learn how to use a coping saw & a dremel. Those are really the only two tools you need to
make outrageous money working from home - keeping busy !! The whole idea is to pack ONE BOX full of ear-ring boxes
that are full = 100 pair of various styles - shapes & materials. If you have inventory you are going to make money!
There are many 'hot-spots" for making sales in the State of Alaska. The #1 spot in this whole state is believe it or
not- Juneau when the tour ships arrive. Valdez is another spot also. But without any doubt for year -round sales -
The villages are the best place to sell your crafts to locals !! Native women collect IVORY - of all types. Ear-
rings & bracelets are their favorite(s) to purchase. Some women have hundreds of bracelets and or ear-rings. Huge
collections; This is also one way for them to generate extra - cash when traveling.
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/4cuts.jpg
Using a coping saw, move it back and forth slowly and pick up momentum; make sure you do not apply pressure to the
saw or blade. Just let it rest on the ivory and draq it back and forth - let the blade do the cutting as you hold
the handle loosely in your hand. This is going to take "hours" depending on what size the piece of Ivory your
working with is. Once you have 1/2 a dozen slices or so; Now you can begin the next 'boring' step. It really depends
on the size of the piece you are working with; this piece of fossil ivory only cost us $50 bucks. It has decent
colors and is only 5 inches long x about 1 inch tall. So slicing up this entire piece would not take that much time.
About 10 pairs of ear-rings that sell for $ 50 bucks each = $500 bucks - ten times more than what you paid for it.
That has been our observations when ever we spend money on ivory. Ear-rings are by far the easiest product to
create. Absolutely no waste of any ivory. Just cut the slices, Each pair is a different size (usually) depending on
the shape of the ivory itself. Cut the slices; round (smooth) the edges; drill a 1/16th hole in the top to super
glue the stud into. Polish to a brilliant shine; place product in box AFTER you clean the ivory with rubbing
alcohol. Keep repeating this simple procedure until you have a sizeable amount of inventory. Two different sizes of
boxes are used to package & present bracelets & ear-rings. That is 95% of what we create on a daily basis. Bracelet
boxes are 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 3/4" - We much prefer to use the boxes with clear covers. This keeps people from
touching the product which always leaves finger prints from the oil on your skin. Boxes can be purchased from Paper
Mart dot com or Alaska Display in Anchorage. NOTICE; in the photo below; five cuts are being worked on together at
once. We usually do six or eight and work them all down together. When you see (visually) what happens when you do
this - you will be amazed at how perfectly straight every cut is! We only use our thumbnail to place on the ivory
and rest the saw blade against your thumbnail and begin the cut. It is very easy to estimate 1/4 of an inch and make
them all identical - just by using your eyes !!
This requires .. .. 'practice'!

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/colors.JPG
Starter piece of ivory
Here in the images above is a small piece of fossil ivory. It is the perfect starter piece for someone new to
carving; to purchase. The shape of the ivory itself is perfect for ear-rings - just as it is. Just slice it all up.
No waste to speak of. Or slice it up for bracelet pieces ! Once you slice up a few small pieces of ivory - your an
expert!! It is simple to learn - fun to do and the time passes by so quickly; This is your new job - treat it like a
real job and you will reap in lots of Xtra cash. With four sons doing this daily; we went through a lot of ivory.
But .. .. as fast as we produced inventory - it sold right quick.So you took a piece of ivory and sliced it all up..
.. what is the very next step.
StEp 2 : Using a clip board (hard surface) place your sandpaper on the clip board and rub hard and fast and sand
each side until it is smooth. To do this more efficiently -
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/bicivy.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/mastodon.JPG
Have different clip boards for different grits of sandpaper used. That will save you a lot of wasted time in
switching sand paper each time you need to go to the next finest grit.Invest in at least a few sheets of sand paper
of the following grits: 120 - 220 - 380 - 550 - 600 - 800 - 1200 - 2000 These grit #'s are not exact - just starting
points. What ever is available in your area. Then invest in a good selection. The ultimate setup is a different clip
board for each grit placed in front of you at bench level height hanging up so you do not have to move. A dust
collection system is essential for your health & to prevent a bloody mess everywhere because ivory dust is extremely
fine, it will float all over the house.
INVEST: in a good dust collection and air filtration system. It makes all the difference in the world.
You want to have a clean shop-working area. Sit down relax and work. You should not have to get up to reach for anything.

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 06:29 PM

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/end.JPG

anything. Everything you need is within arms reach of your work area. Plan your set up in this manner. Wasted
movements waste valuable time. If you have room to build a small shop. Then this is what I recommend. Use 3/4"
plywood for your bench top. Most places that sell plywood sheets -they also will make cuts for you. Cut the bench
top 24" wide x 8 feet long. The other 24" piece that is leftover cut into 3 - 8" pieces x 8 foot long. Now you have
the necessary lumber for 3 shelves above your work bench. The edge of your shelves have stuff hanging on them using
plastic push pins. Scissors; plastic templates, other small things you want right within your reach. The edge of
your work bench should have all your clip boards hanging in front of you. Our personal preference for mounting a
vise is NOT TO PLACE IT: on your work bench. How high to make your shop bench ?? That is truely a matter of personal
preference; BUT .. .. I know - from experience, of working in the trade; much of the tips I provide here is based on
over 40 years in the industry what works & what doesn't. Get a folding chair. Sit down - turn to your right or left
(put it this way) if your arms are bent as if resting on arms on the side of the chair. The bottom of your arm that
is parallell to the floor - that is the exact measurement of your bench height (about 29 inches) You want to work -
sitting down - not standing up! If you make a work bench to stand up - you are going to be bent over all day and
your back is going to hurt. Sit down and relax. Using a small coffee or tv table of some old furniture for your vise
puts you over your work at the correct height looking down. You can slice ivory all day long with no backaches. I've
done it many times, to prefab for the boys. I will take a whole tusk and just slice it all from one end to the other
but remove no slices. 54 cuts. all brought down to 3/4 of the way. Then it is a very quick process to remove several
in a couple of minutes. plus it is a great indicator of how straight you are able to cut!! remember this .. .. "..
perfect is close enough' !!
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/sanding.JPG

Doing it that way requires you to move. You want your vise out of the way - you do not want to have to move to get
it in front of you. THEREFORE: The best place to mount your vise is on a small tv type coffee end table type of old
furniture with wheels on it (rollers). Keep it stored right in front of you under your work Ivory dust - it is
extremely fine. Learn how to control it using a dust collector or ordinary vacum or Shop Vacum cleaner. The Main
thing: Is to save your dust. you will need it (later). As large amounts of dust build up around" your vise area.
Sweep it off into small storage containers. A piece of Mastodon Ivory in a small three inch vise; Notice how much it
appears to resemble old driftwood of sorts.
Sanding; Slicing/Sawing-Drilling. all create DUST This material is over 25 thousand years old!!
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/wood.JPG
It is brittle, dried out and lacks moisture. There are many ways to treat Ivory when you first acquire it, to put
moisture back into the 'pores'. What do you think is going to happen to this piece of ivory as we begin to cut it ?
It is very obvious - it is going to fall apart into many smaller odd size pieces. Learning how to cut ivory is
something you will only gain by experience. Notice we began at the large end. It is still split and in sections. As
we cut these pieces we will show you how to use them. This will take us many hours to make these cuts. There is no
quick way to do this ACCURATELY cept learn how to use a coping saw. Spend the time; and I assure you - you will
learn how; YES !! YOU ARE: going to break blades - now and again; not to worry; We still break them! When you first
begin, always have at least one spare package of 5 extra blades. We try to keep 10 or more extra blades on hand;
just in case - we want an abundance of all suppllies and materials so it is virtually impossible to run out of; thus
shutting down the job is avoided at all costs which are minimal. Your customers will supply all the money you need
to grow. 1/2 of all money we make is for more supplies & tools. the other half is divided for food & bills; Anything
over $300 per day - we give away - to people we know - that need help! A coping saw w/ extra blades. A dremel tool &
Burr cutting bits of many different types & shapes - they are inexpensive or very expensive depending on where you
purchase them from.

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/drill2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/burring.jpg

Bunches of bits

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 06:54 PM

You need catalogs (many of them). Most are free; Grizzley tools; AIH (alaska). Build a selection of
good catalogs. I can't stress this enough. Black Elk Leather in Alaska is the cheapest place you are ever going to
find for ear-ring studs and loops & hooks etc. Rio Grande has a set of catalogs that used to be free; now they want
$25 dollars for a 3 volume set. It is well worth the price! When I purchase an item such as this photo of the bits -
I purchase four of them; One set for each of the boys; Everyone has the same identical set up - NO BORROWING !! Keep
your area(s) neat and well organized. Make a place for your small dust brushes - dust pan for quick clean ups. You
do not want to have to go searching for anything. metal rulers 6" 12" or have holes in the end to hang up nearby,
neatly. Hang as much as possible and utilize all of that wasted space in front of you. Think & learn. The absolute
perfect shop setup - is a horseshoe - A bench in front of you and on either side as you swivel. A giant U upside
down. Put some thought into where you want to set up your shop. You need access to an "outside" wall to cut a 4"
hole to exhaust the dust vent outside the house (if possible). A radio is a must to have & listen to; and for what
it is worth; if you listen to rock music constantly; your gonna get burnt out in a few hours. Classical Music will
let you dream; soar and visit other wonderful places - for hours with no burn out associated with other types of
music. This is just my personal preference for a lifetime !! Sure I love the Beatles ; Fleetwood Mac; and a hundred
other bands. Country - Rock - Jazz - But.. .. Rap is forbidden in my household. Enough said on that subject. You are
only going to be as good as the tools you use; and learn with. In the beginning you will learn with a dremel; Later
you will graduate into using a Foredom. It will hang from the ceiling with a long flexible shaft. Directly up over
your head, The same place your bracelet cord should be. Above you. Stand up cut a piece sit down finished. All
movements should reguire minimal movement on your part to access anything & everything you need to keep working.
Since 90% of your time is going to be spent - making slices; then lets look at some 'slices' and see what you can
learn - just by looking at simple photographs. The first thing I want you to notice: is the original shape of the
ivory tusk used. It was small. That entire tusk could have easily been cut up for ear-rings of that same natural
shape of the tusk itself. But a shape was drawn on each of the slices that were cut. Using a 12" disk sander (Delta
- or Grizzley) cost is $265. This is the tool of choice; because of the front bench that can be set to any precise
angle necessary to make the bracelet pieces fit together perfectly. A bracelet must have at least 8 pieces to form a
perfect circle, But 10, 12, 14, & 16 piece tiny baby bracelets are all possible to make. Each has a different
precise angle to bevel the ends to make the pieces fit when strung together.We will post all the different sizes
with the correct angles to use to bevel:
8 piece = 22 degrees (each end)
10 piece = 18
12 piece = 15
14 piece = 12 degrees (each end)

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/k1b.jpg

This is just a starting point for you to learn from. Begin with a ten piece bracelet. 3/4 of an inch should be the
length of your pieces. That equals a womans large wrist - Average womans wrist should be about 6 1/2 inches there
abouts when pieces are lined up together. when you do the same steps over and over and over - soon it will all
become second nature. How long to make your bracelet pieces ? Wrap a string around your wrist. Mark it where the end
intersects with the first wrap. Staighten out the string and measure it. Ten pieces 1/2" long = A tiny 5 inch wrist.
The more you make; the more proficient you will become.
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/mastadon-hearts.jpg

Mastodon Hearts

This is all learned by practing, using the tools; not by reading. Once you have made a half a dozen slices; there is
not much else to learn except practice some more; As I said 90% of what you do is slicing up ivory. Later you will
get a horizontal or vertical band saw and it won't take but a fraction of the time to cut up a whole tusk. Slice &
draw out the shapes you wish to make on the piece of ivory you have cut; after you have sanded all the rough stuff
smooth. Use the 12" disk sander or your dremel to cut off the excess ivory to conform to the shape you drew. Round
off the sharp edges and begin to sand through the different grits. Polish to a high shine. drill hole to super glue
the stud into and your finished - after you wipe it all down with rubbing alcohol & tissue. Place into box . Begin
the process all over again; EXCEPT one difference. - Learn to pre-fab - & make a dozen pair at once.
Lets talk so more about some of the tools & accessories you will use & need. 1/16" drill bits - a turntable spindle
to hold your bits and burrs for cutting and shaping. In the begining you will not need much of an assortment of
burrs for cutting and shaping. Those burrs are used to inlay ivory inside of ivory and those steps come much later.
First you learn by making ear-rings then I will talk you through the steps to inset materials into other materials.
When you purchase 1/16" inch drill bits - believe it or not; buy a dozen of them; you will break them often. DO NOT
THROW THEM AWAY. Keep them - When you begin to drill bracelet pieces you will not use the whole drill bit. You
basically cut the bit in half. Only the smaller drill bit half is used.
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/drill.jpg

Using a dust collection system vented to the outside, provides the best manner in which to dispose of the dust.
(that ends up in a bag outside the house.)

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/drill2.jpg

Bit spindle holder

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/hp346.jpg
PURCHASE (http://[url]http//www.profitablehobbiesstore.com/cases/storage/) ONE or more.

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 06:58 PM

The shaft part of the bit is saved as a 'peg' . Later you might want to make a small ivory or baleen Jewerly case.
These pins are perfect to use to hold the pieces together when making a box. The reason you cut a drill bit in half
is so you will not drill through your finger when we show you how to drill a bracelet piece properly. The bit is
long enough to go just a little more than 1/2 way through the piece and it is turned over and drilled from the other
end. There are many tricks and tips we will share with you; I promise if you put in the time; create a sizeable
inventory and you will make money. I dont care where you live. People the world over love the look & feel of Ivory.
It has been treasured by collectors for many thousands of years - all over the world; Ivory is in huge demand.
Alaska Fur Exchange in Anchorage is probably the best place to purchase ivory - in person. Go there and purchase
something small to work with and make some ear-rings. The more practice you get making simple ear-rings and selling
them will no doubt make you want to purchase something larger. And then learn to make bracelet pieces and Three pair
of newly made ear-rings from mastodon ivory put the whole thing together; we will show you step by step what to do
and how to do it the best most effiective way possible. We have lots of experience; we have made lots of mistakes and
refined our working process to avoid injuries that will happen. Safety First & Safety Second ! - Purchase a good
pair of inexpensive safety - glasses & wear them! I can't stress enough the need for safety in the work place; I've
seen my sons get injured many times - especially when using the 12" disc sander. Keep your fingers out of the way;
you can sand flesh off in a split second. Make sure you have bandaids just in case. Careful work habits can greatly
prevent many injuries that are common with working with tools. Believe it or not ; it is very easy to drill through
your finger or hand. We take precautions to make sure that doesn't happen Once you graduate from making ear-rings to
making bracelet pieces - the same exact steps are done for each of the 12 pieces needed to make that bracelet. ONce
you have your pieces all made then it is time to drill them in the proper fashion; you need to mark exactly where
the holes are going to be to insert the bracelet cord. Notice: in these images you do not have to measure anything;
just place the 1/8th " piece of cardboard and fold around the piece and draw the two lines. On the top of the piece
and on each end. When you drill the pieces you have to hold one end over the back end of the piece as is shown in
the following photographs. This takes practice to hold the drill level to go through the piece straight. then flip
the piece over and drill from the other side and the two holes WILL MEET. If and only if you drill straight!! This
is going to take practice - Use practice pieces not real bracelet pieces until your sure you can drill straight from
each end & meet in the middle. Occasionaly you might not be able to get the bracelet cord through the holes because
it doesn't line up properly. Ever notice shoelaces ?? The end of the shoelace has a hard coating over it. This is
easily accomplished using super glue on your bracelet cord. Place one end of the bracelet cord in your vise. Tighten
the vise to hold the cord and with one hand stretch the cord as much as possible; Now drip super glue over the end
of the cord near the vise. Hold it stretched for a few seconds.. When you relax the cord. open the vise and cut the
cord end of the new coated portion. Now you have a hard stiff straight end to insert through the hole!! Super Glue
will stick to your fingers; Keep acetone on hand or nail polish remover to get the stuff off your finger tips &
skin.
A 12" disc sander is a powerful tool; It is expensive and extremely heavy as in more than 70 pounds. Shipping for
this tool was more than the cost of the tool to us in Point Hope - the price of the tool was $265 Over $300 to ship
it to the village - UNTIL WE took the front bench part off and mailed the two pieces in two different boxes. The
shipping was less than $100 bux using that method!! We had four of them!
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/three-pairS.jpg
Three pair of ear-rings all boxed up ready to go - from scraps that are beginning to fall from this piece of icory
we are working on. After spending over an hour with this piece of ivory - now six cuts are fairly well along to show
you what straight looks like when you use multiple cuts instead of just one. This is time well spent 'training your
eyes' to notice minute differences in the thickness of each of the slices - not to worry - we use calipars or
micrometers to make sure each piece is 'perfect' thickness!
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/six.JPG
SCRAPS BEGINING TO FALL FROM TUSK AS WE continue sawing:
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/arc2.JPG
NOTICE: The criss cross pattern that is embedded into EVERY PIECE of mastodon ivory. It has been present in every
piece we have used in over 7 years time. When I show you these 'arcs' again - all finished and boxed up - you won't
believe it was made from this piece !!
[img]http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/arc3.JPG[/img

These Arc type shaped pieces that are begining to fall off the ivory as we continue to saw - are perfect just as
they are: for ear-rings. Merely round off the sharp edges and sand & polish them to a brilliant luster = 50 - 75 bux
per pair. BELIEVE IT OR NOT: - You can take that arc shaped piece and place it into baby oil or mineral oil in a
small contianer; let it soak for a few days - a week. take it out; lay it down on a flat surface and straighten out
that curve into a straight flat piece. Then twist it by hand !! We have LOTS of tricks tips & secrets we are willing
to share with you!
All you gotta do is put in the time -
I promise your gonna make more than a dime!

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 07:29 PM

DRAWING LINES on each piece in the exact same manner will give you the results you need when it is time to assemble
all the pieces together to form a bracelet. So get busy and make pieces for a bracelet !! I will post more
photographs as we begin each of the necessary steps involved to make gorgeous bracelets.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/cardboard.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/drawlines.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/sand.jpg

I can't say enough about this sander; it solved all our (other ) problems; and by accident taught us a very valuable
technique; Mark was the one who discovered this very kewl trick, which enabled us to make perfect insets of circles
into other different types of Ivory. We are the only carvers that can inset a round piece inside another piece of
ivory with absolutely no gaps. How is this done ? Easily - "create a perfect circle". This is how it is
accomplished; Unless that circle inset is perfect; there is no way to place it inside another circle. It must be
perfect. The sander will do it for you automatically!! This is what Mark discovered quite by accident - Notice the
sander table that is tilted in this photograph. That small bench must be set to zero degrees. flat & level. Now
place your so called round circle on the small flat table - Using two index fingers push that slowly toward the
sanding wheel. When that piece of small (sorta round) ivory hits that sanding wheel which is roatating quickly -
what do you think is going to happen ? That piece of Ivory is going to take off - unless your fingers 'block' it
from moving - then there is only one thing that is going to happen - That small piece of ivory is going to SPIN
wicked fast - thus making a perfect circle each & every time. As you can easily notice - it is very easy to sand the
skin right off your knuckle if you slip!! Pay close attention always when working with this tool.
Notice: what is wrong in this photo above? template and brush do not belong in this area. they should have been hung
up in the proper place.
Slices - slices - slices PREFAB lots & lots of slices - What ever you can get ready (early) pre-fabricate (slices -
pieces - shapes etc.) Get everything ready to make lots of ear-rings and or bracelet pieces.
Polishing pieces is something of a knack to acquire. Much will be said about that later.
We will teach you two different methods.
http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/polish.jpg

POLISHING SUPPLIES:
Shor International has everything you need in many different areas or departments.
Polishing compound: Fabuluster & Blue Magik (http://www.shorinternational.com/PolishCompounds.php)
Burr bits in carbide & diamond
polishing wheels and felts
and so much more.
OTHER LINKS:
BOXES
COLORED CORDS & MISC.
BRACELET CORD(s).
1/16" white & black (elastic shock cord).
1.Cut a slice of Ivory
2.Sand each side smooth - using the lowest grit #
3. Draw the shape on the piece of IVORY SLICE
4. Cut out the shape and sand/file excess Ivory off till you reach the finished shape size.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 until you have at least sixteen pieces of the same finished shape to work with.
6. Wait for me to post more photographs & more detailed information to finish the simple process of making ear-rings
that match your bracelet pieces.
http://majikimaje.com/Ozzu/3d4me2.jpg
Be Safe & have fun!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 07:31 PM

This is so easy to do- we have trained a lot of children how to do this - it keeps them busy and out of trouble! Not to mention the great skills they acquire!

SIMPLE is easy to understand & comprehend - I LIKE SIMPLE !

Simple shapes to create templates: Starting top row far right =

http://majikimaje.com/IP-800/TEMPLATES.JPG

Top row far right = shape of an eskimo ulu knife. These ear-rings sell like hot-cakes. They are made using two different materials - One for the shape of the blade and the other contrasting material for the handle.

Most of these shapes are easily recognized; Make templates: keep them (colored or marked in some manner)and create new ones of other shapes you decide to use. The shape with the T is our master template for what we call "short & stubby" bracelet pieces. Look at that shape - can you recognize it ?? Turn it on its side 90 degrees and you might see it (a quarter ) with the sides cut off.

PERSONALLY: I like to color the other side of the template - blue or red using a magic marker; just to make sure it is never used as a piece by mistake.

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 07:44 PM

BALEEN: is dry as it is removed from the whales 'lip' or mouth area. The best way to describe it is a 'natural plastic' like material.

It can grow to heights of 14 feet is the largest I have ever seen; ten foot lengths and 12 foot lengths can be quite common also. It all depends on the size of the whale.

There are approximately 300 slats on each side of the lip area of the mouth. Six hundred of them there abouts in a whales mouth!!

There are some different methods and procedures for preparing it for the many different uses that baleen has. It stinks to the Nth degree when sanding it.. ten times stronger than the smell of Ivory.

The (nice person) that sent us this Mastodon Ivory; also sent us some baleen. three pieces about a foot long. They are not thick enough for bracelet pieces but can be used to make ear-rings and insets for bracelets and many other projects (using your imagination).

Baleen is commonly also used as a stand for a doll or 'scene' type arrangement such as a hunter vs. polar bear type scene that is popular among tourists.

Baleen is much easier to obtain; and it will fetch a decent price if worked on properly such as scrimshaw drawings. Baleen baskets fetch outrageous prices and are in huge demand.

All you need to scrimshaw on balleen is a needle or sharpened nail to use to etch with.
http://majikimaje.com/images/whakimo.JPG

BALEEN: Has literally thousands of uses. Believe it or not; some people have requested "reeds" for musical instruments such as saxaphone or clarinet - we make them & they actually work quite well!!

Guitar picks are very popular also !!

http://majikimaje.com/images/reeds.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/images/kewlmask.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/images/family.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/images/hunter.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 08:01 PM

So what is the initial cost to get started ?

1. A coping saw is about 5 bucks there abouts and extra packages of blades are about the same price so initial investment in this department is about 15 bucks.

2. A small 3" or 6' vise is chump change - $ 10 bucks there abouts not too much more than that - depends on what you want.

3. A dremel tool is about $65.00 bucks with a lot of assortment bits & pieces.

4. Sand paper is 25cents a sheet so 20 bucks will get you a good collection of all the different grits that need to be used.

5. super glue ? a few bucks for a big bottle (4oz.)

6. Ear-ring studs and hooks. 3 bucks or so for 100 of them at Black Elk leather.

7. FABULUSTER polishing compound is about 5 bux for a one pound tube.

8. Bracelet cord (elastic ) shock cord; is 25 bucks for a wholel spool of 150 yards.

9. Plastic templates of simple shapes about a buck each there abouts.

10. 1 /16" drill bits about .99 cents each - get 20 of them!!

That's about it.. for an initial investment;

NOW YOU NEED IVORY

http://majikimaje.com/FossilivoryforDavid.jpg

That stuff is very expensive as in $260 bucks per pound. Here is 5 grand worth !! The last photo I posted earlier was 3k in ivory we purchased from Alaska Fur Exchange. those two small tusks at bottom of photo were one pound each - 2 of them came to just over $500 bux

Next I will post photos of all our shops we worked in: Kotz - Point Hope & 5 different shops in Barrow !!!

Simply by studying these photos you will learn a lot !! I will take the time to point out certain features of each work place we have built.

NOTICE: none of this IVORY is "white" !!!

We paid an arm & a leg for fossil ivory; when we cut this stuff open we were extremely disapointed BIG TIME. It was all bright white inside.

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 08:10 PM

Making Bracelet pieces using baleen - This baleen that was sent to us; is good for making bracelets; So I will post the steps for you to see; Baleen is faster to work with than IVORY; We have many hours of sawing to go on the Mastodon tusk so for now; study these images; Everything is self explanatory.

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL5.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/BAL-800/BAL6.JPG

NEXT STEP(s) - REMOVE the excess baleen until you have the perfect shape & size of the original template.

Sand each side and the edges; through all the different grits of sand-paper(s).

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 08:18 PM

how much does it cost to get set up?

basically that was the question asked; and quite frankly I answered it all WRONG.

Let me try again; with a 'different' approach; What does it cost to get set up? hmmm ? That all depends on what you want to do to make $$$$

Not everyone has the skills or patience to sit there and slice ivory for hours; Some people prefer a different approach. Can you TRACE with a pencil and some paper ??? Virtually anyone can do that - even a child;

So with that in mind; this next section is meant to inspire you in a different manner; i.e. tracing! or drawing. What do you need ? ONE NAIL ! hows that for a shopping list ??? No; I am not speaking about a 'finger' nail but a nail to put a hammer to - and bang it in. That type of nail. go find one !!

SIMPLE DRAWINGS; OR - tracing !! believe it or not; Big bucks are easy to make working at home. Baleen is easy to get; and it is not very expensive.

http://majikimaje.com/images/SEALPOST/baleen.jpg

I purchased this from Henry Koonuk for $300 bux. We always purchase a lot from Henry a.k.a 'Hanko'. He is one incredible gifted artist in many different areas. He works at home and makes outrageous money (six figures) every year. A lot of carvers - artists in many different villages this is the norm for them.

As I said in the beginning; Hundreds of people (families) are doing this in lots of villages all over the entire state of Alaska. I know natives from Pont Hope that have lived in Anchorage for 30 years. This is all they do - stay @ home - create arts & crafts and then go out and sell them EVERY DAY!! Money flows in - every single day - but you gotta do the work!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 08:23 PM

Let me round up some photo's and take you back into the classroom and show you how easy this all is.

The exact same steps are repeated all day long - week in - month out - year after year. SIMPLE SIMPLE SIMPLE -

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/BAL1.JPG

A blank piece of baleen is cut out, draw the shape, cut out the shape and smooth off the excess material to match the template drawing.

Now do this same step 10 - 16 times for the required pieces to make the bracelet to the desired size.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/3steps.JPG

Using a 'burr' cutting bit (diamond or carbide) trim off the excess material to the desired size. REPEAT repeat - repeat all day long. It is monotonous work, it is a no brainer that anyone can accomplish with absolutely no skills what so ever - just do the work - this is a real job!! It pays extremely well.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/cut.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 09:08 PM

Making pieces - for a bracelet or ear-rings is very simple to accomplish with absolutely no training or skills.

Inseting another piece of material; into another is quite different and does require some skills to accomplish.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/pieces.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/pieces2.jpg

Baleen is easily 'scratched' during the process of making the pieces, Later these same pieces will be polished to a brilliant shine that resembles black glass. "It is the 'shine' that sells"

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/pieces3.jpg

We use 3 basic shapes when making bracelets;

Short stubby (pictured above) - narrow oval - & hearts. Those are basically the only 3 shapes we work with for bracelets. Use your imagination and explore other shapes.

Sanding each piece is a no brainer. drop the piece on a piece of sandpaper and move it back & forth until the surface is very smooth. Don't worry about scratches; those will dissappear when you go through the different grits of sandpaper. When finally polished - the reflection and look of black glass will amaze you. Balleen w/fossil insets has an eye-catching contrast that jumps out,and requires further examination up close.
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/sand.jpg

The process of inserting different material into the balleen or ivory is a time consuming process that requires much practice to accomplish. The steps are simple. Draw the shape of the inset, on the piece; and cut out that shape. Here are some photos that illustrate this procedure.

Begin by inserting the burr cutting bit into the center of the piece and start to cut it out. This is precise work, take your time. DO NOT go beyond the edge of the pencil marks.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/cut1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/cut2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/cut3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/cutinset.jpg

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 09:46 PM

Now we have a piece of balleen (bracelet piece). We have cut out an oval to insert another oval into this empty hole.

The same steps are used: draw the (shape) on the piece of ivory and cut it out and smooth it.

Each of these images are self explanatory- just look - carefully and you will see how easy it is to accomplish these steps.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/insetcut1.jpg

The sheer repetition of these simple steps - daily - weekly - monthly - yearly. GUARANTEESS your success in mastering this simple procedure.

Money will flow like a river if you keep busy and acquire a large inventory.

I will provide you with many different places that your work can be sold.

Creating the art work (photos or jewelery) is just ONE small STEP.

LEARNING HOW TO MARKET your work - is something altogether different !

Making the sale - is an art form - many books are written on marketing or on any subject you can possibly name; Everyone has different ideas, everyone has different thoughts and what may work for somone in one area may not be true in another area. Thus diversity is the word that comes to mind.

Many tons of books are pubished on how to create photographs. BOOKS !

The process is quite simple: Aim & click = photograph!! YET PEOPLE - write entire books on this simple process. There are literally tens of thousands of authors on this simple process!!

Yes !!! there is a lot more to the process. Everyone thinks different; everyone see's things differently. There is no such thing as a sheet of paper that has only one side. We can share our ideas, thoughts & experiences to influence and guide others. Take what you deem valuable and cultivate it to your style.

Marketing your work is the goal. There are many simple ways to get people to hand you $$ without you saying one word.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/insetcut2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/insetcut3.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/insetcut6.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/insetcut5.jpg

Let your work do all the talking - shut up about yourself. You are in front of that person (buyer) for one pupose only - ;get the $$.

I have been doing this for a long long time (4 decades) I have learned a couple of simple basics that I am willing to share with you that apply not only to ivory but to photography as well. TIMES ARE TOUGH and going to get a lot tougher, I am merely providing you a very simple way to make major bucks @ home.

Lets do some simple math so you can get a grasp of what is waiting for you.

A bracelet from start to finish is about 4-6 hours work. (Once you have these steps down). prefab everything - you can reduce that time to two hours or less.

One bracelet a day - for a month is 30 bracelets - lets keep this simple.

30 bracelets @ 300 bux each is 9 THOUSAND dollars per month.

Eye got for sons - that do this from 7 am - 7 pm daily for 7 years !!

We purchase boxes for bracelets and ear-rings. One hundred of them in a case.

We went through 34 cases of bracelet & ear-ring boxes in 7 years in the Arctic.

We have been in Anchorage just about one year now. We are on case #2 and we have taken 10 months off from work.

Husband & wife 'team' working together can reap in 20 K in a month easily !!!

Take The Time To Think

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 10:13 PM

Step #1: Make sure the inset fits. Test it. You do not force it into a TIGHT spot. you have to take this out - once your satisfied that your ready to make this permanent. Remove the inset and flood the inside with superglue. Replace the piece and this is what you should see, a tiny gap around the entire piece.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/fin1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/fin2.jpg

A small piece of carboard is wrapped around the bracelet piece and lines are drawn as to where to drill the holes for the bracelet cord to be inserted.

Naturally these must be all the same or the bracelet will not LOCK when final assembly takes place.

We do not use rulers or take any measurements during the entire process.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/fin3.jpg

Here is it obvious: The drill bit is too long, it will go right through in one shot - that is the surest way to CAUSE injury!! Only drill half way - then turn the piece over and drill from the other side.

This is perhaps the hardest step in the entire process. learning how to drill straight and follow that line !! This take a lot of practice !

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/fin4.jpg

Once that inset is sanded down flush with the top of the bracelet piece, the dust from the inset will mix with the super glue on the gap(s). and blend in perfectly to create a perfect inset with absolutely no visible gaps what so ever

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 10:19 PM

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset" class=alt2>Originally Posted by Majik Imaje http://pics3.city-data.com/trn.gif (http://www.city-data.com/forum/alaska/1222472-work-home-make-big-bucks-carving-4.html#post18539125)
Husband & wife 'team' working together can reap in 20 K in a month easily !!!

Take The Time To Think
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Of course this isn't going to happen overnight - you have to put in the time;- Create - inventory - !!

And to be quite frank and honest - NO!! You will not sell your first bracelets for no $300 bucks. It depends on material - Fossil walrus ivory brings in the highest prices of all ivory. Next comes white ivory - then mastodon ivory is the cheapst - bone & antler are much lower on the price scale. Detail will fetch a much larger price. The more detail the higher the price - on anything made. Detail sells big time. It is the #1 factor in price

The very first bracelets my sons made sold for $20 bucks each @ Kotzebue Gun & Pawn shop. They were quite pathetic !! Sharp hard edges on the pieces that didn't LOCK the bracelet into the perfect circle.

As time progressed each and every day - the price went up to $40 bucks just to get some cash coming in. We sold lots and lots of those to locals, in time - we rose to $50 bucks - then to 60 for a while then we were stuck $ 80 for over a year until the boys learned to sand and polish between the pieces. the edges that are hidden, Once they did that then the price went up to 120. When people saw perfect bracelets with fossil material insets - the price was $200. That was Kotzebue. Point Hope was slightly lower in prices for the same bracelet. But in Barrow that same Bracelet would fetch $400 easily.

RECENTLY we went to Alaska Fur Exchange to purchase some ivory. We spoke with the owners. They have tons and tons of braclets of all types.

The owner pulled out a bracelet of TRIPLE HEARTS - BLUE FOSSIL IVORY. She said: This was made in Point Hope by a very large woman who sold it to us. My sons laughed and said yes Caroline Cannon I bet. The owner said - how did you know that ? Mark said - we made it and sold it to her !!

The owner said We want all you can make of this style - we will pay you top dollar for these type bracelets.

We got the exact same response from the owner over @ Carls Jewlers in the University mall.

LETS GO SHOPPING; -

This is an excercise in learning how to use your imagination in your surroundings to set up a nice working functional shop for your new job.

These images are merely used as starting points for you to consider how to set up your area neatly so you can function efficently and comfortably for long extended periods of time.

Our very first shop in Kotzebue - June of 2004. This small arctic entry way or qanichaq was only six feet wide and perhaps 12 feet long. barely any room to set up a place to work for four teenagers. We are going to learn and this is where my sons did basic training. Sit down with a dremel and some pieces of ivory. four boys on a couch. Everything they needed is right in front of them.
http://majikimaje.com/shop001.jpg

Very efficient use of a limited amount of space. An over abundance of all supplies such as super glue - drill bits - saw blades - polishing wheels. and burr bits and other small essentials.

For over a year & half my sons sat on this couch all day long and worked. We didn't watch tv. We worked 12 - 14 hours a day and they had a lot of fun. The best part was always when people handed you the $$. They always had the biggest smile(s) on thier faces.

IN seven years time; the best day we ever had; was out of this shop; 3k in one day. We never broke that record in the 3 years we were selling every day in Barrow.

They went from that shop to this one in Point Hope:

This is shop #2 762 Tasiq Street Point Hope Alaska 99766

You can notice; we started out with just one sucker hose to expell the dust away from the 12" disk sander. Three of those - cost well over $1,000 bucks with shipping. You can see in these photos we graduated to 3 of everything; one for each work station.

http://majikimaje.com/NEW-EST.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/shop-today.jpg

Everything we ordered we ordered in excess; such as ear-ring hooks & studs. One thousand of each hooks & studs in gold & in silver from Black Elk was 250 bucks there abouts. It didn't matter what we ran out of- we had plenty of stock on hand to make sure the JOB did not get shut down. The job is to finish one bracelet per day !!! w/matching ear-rings.

Then spend the rest of the day - prefabbing for the next days work.
http://majikimaje.com/shop_PtHope22.jpg

We lived @ Tasiq street for almost two years then we moved to Barrow - we didn't pack all of this stuff up. We gave most of it away or sold it very cheaply to interested carvers.

Then we moved to Barrow and history was made !! These boys became legends in Barrow.

4 shops were built in Barrow. All brand new tools - the exact same stuff.

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 11:09 PM

We never had any inkling or desire to move to Barrow; We were quite content in our home village of Point Hope; It was the barge captain two years in a row that convinced us to check barrow out and it was stepping out on a limb for sure. We did not know anyone in Barrow (personally). So on August 7th of 2007 Mark & I flew to Barrow (homeless). We arrived flat broke. Not one dime - BUT.. .. .. .. We had - 30 pairs of ear-rings - 16 quality bracelets and 3 bone masks.

We arrived 7 pm - tired and hungry and flat broke. Mark walked across the street from the Airport to King Eider hotel. I waited at the air port. 20 minutes later he came out with a big smile - he sold 4 sets of ear-rings for $30 bux each. We headed straight to Pepi's !! Singing & dancing the whole way.

Our first shop in Barrow - we were guests in this home for two months. It ended up costing us a fortune ! LITERALLY. A 70 year old elder took us into his house on our second night in Barrow - he was happy to have company or guests and would only charge us 500 per month. We said sure-

Shop #1 in Barrow We took all our tools when we left - but... .. we left all the wood benches and shelving in place. The owner was dissapointed when we left and appreciated the work done to his storage room with benches and shelves.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/khris.jpg

Okakok Street in Barrow

Shop #2 in Barrow - $1000 bucks a month rent - for this one small room. Sounds outrageous eh ? nope - chump change. If I look at this situation of $1000 a month. This is ridiculous BUT - ALL THAT AMOUNTS TO. is just ONE BRACELET per week for rent. It was a very tiny price to pay considering we made 27 bracelets that sold every week!!!

We were here for four months and we were quite content at our living arrangements and then a 7 bedroom house became available to us and it was perfect for two shops. We were growing very fast -all brand new tools.

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/barrow-shops.jpg

Shop #3 @ 336 oogruk street

http://majikimaje.com/barrow/no.5.jpg

Shop # 4 in Barrow We sure moved around a lot.

448 Egasaq Street

We used the entire kitchen area to build our shop. Sanding had to be done outside. Then we built a small sanding area in the qanichaq. (cunny chuck)

http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/RESIZE/egasaq.JPG

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE of how: NOT TO SET UP A SHOP.

IT is a total mess !! You will not achieve any standard of perfection working in a mess like this.

It is hard enough to keep a working area clean and neat - but this is part of the job. Neatness counts and it also shows in your work.

http://majikimaje.com/MONTHS/RESIZE/P1070016.JPG

This is Eli Kagak. He was one of the people out on the ocean ice when those women frm the hospital got killed. "We were given bags to clean up the crushed skull fragments & brain matter scattered all over the ice.

Eli is also #1 Fossil Ivory FINDER.. in Barrow.. He sure knows how !!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-15-2011, 11:28 PM

Now presently we are in Anchorage and we are very limited as to how to set up a working functional shop here in this tiny 2 bedroom apartment. Jesse displays his new work area in one of the bedrooms. Everything is within instant reach. Put on the head phones and 'dream' while you work. Go someplace else, the work your gonna be doing is so simple you have plenty of time to travel in your thoughts.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/Jesse-shop.JPG

Slicing up a small nub from the end of a piece of fossil ivory. No lines are drawn, no measurements are taken. Eye sight only. slice em up nice and neat. This requires a few hours work to finish. coping saw, dremel, vise - watch what happens here in the next day or two.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/slice1.JPG

This may seem boring, and it is in a sense, but it is part of the JOB!! How bad is your urge & desire to succeed ?? Then purchase a small piece of IVORY for 50 bucks. Slice it up, take your time. There is no rush. But if you put in the necessary time and FINISH all the steps.. .. YOU WILL have a saleable product. Where to go to sell them ??

ANCHORAGE: Bingo parlors on Tudor, Northern Lights, & Fireweed. Native hospital, Go where the money is: i.e. Doctors - Lawyers - You do not have to be 'native' to produce 'native' art 'style(s)'!!

The gift shops all over Anchorage will purchase your beginning bracelets but don't expect to get more than 40 - 60 bucks. That's ok. Just bring in ten of them @ once and make 400. Its gonna take time to learn how to produce high quality bracelets, BUT IT IS easily accomplished with practice of these same simple steps.

When you make a bracelet, your doing the exact same thing 14 times.

Just how many pieces do you think it is going to take to beome an expert ?? Not very many !!!

ONE STEP AT A TIME: Learn them well.

Once you learn how to make ear-rings - Put in the time. You can easily fill a case of 100 boxes in a weeks time or less !!

That is an easy Thousand bux, in about 3 days time. Now Hustle and fill 2 cases per week. do that for just one month.

You are going to make a lot of money. Especially when AFN is going on in Anchorage or Fairbanks. It is easy to get a table and sell your crafts for big bucks. When working, take the time to think, you got plenty of time for this when doing simple tasks over and over !! This is all going to become so second nature much faster than you realize.

Once you begin to collect $$. Then the fire will be lit and you will climb very fast in making outrageous money!!
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/slice2.JPG

Next I have a close up of a bracelet being worked on. Well actually 3 different bracelets are being worked on now.

This heart inset bracelet will have 12 pieces. As this piece is sanded lightly through the different grits - 400 - 800 - 1600 All scratches will dissappear !! Fossil Ivory w/baleen heart inset. Placed on top of a Nickel, 5 cents

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/nickel.jpg

Practice makes better. I have seen children pre-teens pick this right up and make outrageous money like as in $500 bucks for 3 hours work 3 days in a row, total sales. That is unheard of.

Up here in the arctic - it is the norm !!

Although I live in Alaska. Ivory is much sought after all over the world. You will sell these in your area. Slowly and then the momentum will pick up only because of one thing. Quality craftsmanship !! Ivory is rare... for thousands of years the rich sought it out at any cost. They still do to this day. Everyone can't resist once they see that shine and touch it.

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 12:04 AM

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000403.JPG

Cutting out an area on the piece to inset another piece of IVORY takes practice. That is the only way you are going to learn this is by repetition.

Everything you are doing in making these pieces. All the different steps - are repeated again and again on every bracelet or set of ear-rings you make.

Begin the cut out by going into the center of the area of your template and create a small circle using your burr cutting bit. As you get this circle down to the proper depth ( 1/2) way into the bracelet piece. You merely widen the circle and direct your burr bit to the edges of the heart drawing you drew on this piece. be careful not to go past the line. It only takes a couple of minutes to carefully cut out this heart shape area for the heart inset to be placed inside.
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000404.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000406.JPG
As you get down to the proper depth 1/2 way or less (guess). Begin to widen the area and start to move toward the lines for a new clean shape.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000409.JPG
It doesn't take much practice to master this - Keep in mind; for each bracelet you do the exact same simple steps a dozen times or more. It is only going to take you a couple / few bracelets to begin to get really good at this. The better you get; the higher the prices are that you will COMMAND!

Women fight over these bracelets and always offer more money. It happens all too often in every village, and even today here in Anchorage @ the Native Hospital.
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000414.JPG

Lots more beautiful stuff coming up ... ... You can do this - really !!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 12:15 AM

Repitition - repeat-repeat-repeat! I am going to repeat myself a lot.

that is the only way to drive the point home. YOu do the same exact things. So I will post the exact same photos using other pieces of ivory to illustrate the point.

We purchased 3 new small pieces of fossil ivory from Alaska Fur Exchange again on Friday of this week April the oneth

Each of my sons - made slices - and began on new bracelets # 4, 5 & 6 for this week.

Jesse got his hands on this piece last. Here is what he did with it. The tusk was divided into thirds. No pencil marks - no measurements - no lines. Just begin to saw STRAIGHT.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000387.JPG

This is what WE DO - with every piece of IVORY we get. Slice it up!

OTHER PEOPLE - do different things - such as: ''block' it out to create the shape of an animal.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000391.JPG

The slice on the far left, is what is pictured below (finished).

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000417.JPG

This small piece will be used for making an inset shape. i.e. oval - circle or heart. Those are the main three simple shapes we work with.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000426.JPG

Two other small pieces we picked up.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000395.JPG

Not quite what we hoped for. (the patterns inside). You just never know what the inside is going to look like. Until you slice it open.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000399.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 06:21 AM

HEART BRACELETS; these are our #1 best selling item. these command the highest prices as in $500 or higher depending on the detail added.

As low as $100 buck for plain white ivory w/ no detail.

"If you want to capture her heart - give her hearts - so she will think of you all day.!"

ALL OF OUR BRACELETS carry a 100% lifetime unconditional guarantee !

We are the only carvers that make this claim; If anything happens to your investment - return it and we will fix it for free - no quesitons asked.

Yes we have had quite a few bracelets returned to us in Barrow - Pt. Hope & in Kotz and we fix them all and return them to very happy satisfied customers!!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/heartB1.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/heartB2.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/heartB3.jpg

We sell hundreds of these.. They go very quickly - especially when provided with matching ear-rings.

We also do something else that no carvers in any village do.

We provide a package for our work. It is convient for the customer. but to buy other small stuff and things and just put them in the customers hand just doesn't seem right. And many artists loose lots of sales by not providing this convienent feature.

Would you hand someone a photograph and just say here? Nope. but by provding something to store or carry it in; will increase sales big time!!

STRINGING UP A BRACELET

This is a simple step with 4 different methods of accomplishing the same thing.

The easy way: is to cut a small hole in the back on one piece and tie the ends of the bracelet cord together. Cut excess off. Super glue the knots and it all fits in the tiny hole in the back of a piece
Make a small inlay to push and glue into the hole in the back & sand it down flush with the back of the piece and that hole is now hidden
Fill the hole with ivory dust and super glue and smooth & polish to hide the hole.
Make one set of holes in one bracelet piece larger. Then tie the knots and super glue them. Pull the knots into the larger hole of that one bracelet piece thereby hiding any blemish or need to make a hole in the back of the bracelet piece.
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/nots.JPG

We left Kotzebue end of 05. We were there for a year and a half. We could not take the heat & humidity during the summer months. TOO DAMN HOT. But that wasn't our main reason for wanting to leave. We had to leave, out of necessity. We could no longer purchase Ivory from the NorthWest Arctic Borough. The manager of the Gift shop was busted for selling RAW WHITE WALRUS IVORY to white people. (His friends) All sales of white raw walrus ivory was stopped.

We can't function without a source of Ivory so we moved back to Pt. Hope. There is no walrus hunting in Kotzebue but plenty of mastodon to find all over the place. Jan 06

Vica Owens: An extremely gifted brilliant RUSSIAN Ivory carver was prevented from working on White Raw Walrus Ivory even though she was married to an Inupiaq Native. Her work is stunning and exquisite.

She was making @ that time over 10k per week easily !! All she would do is scrimshaw arctic animals in colors in the white tusk. These arctic animals would be holding eskimo skin drums and dancing eskimo dance poses.

She is without any doubt the absolute best Inupiaq dancer (performing) the squiirrel dance I have ever seen. She is magnificent and very gifted in many different ways.

She recently asked that we send some of our crafts to her in Kotzebue as she now runs the gift shop in Kotz.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivry-Crfts/Kb02.jpg

You can see the hole on the back of one piece. This is where the two pieces are tied into a simple knot. super glued. FINSHED bracelet after it is polished. We quit using this method. HIding the knots with a plug or dust was much better and presented more of a professional approach. But the best method is to hide the knots !! inside of one piece. NO one can ever figure out how we put the bracelet together !!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivry2/making-money.jpg

FOSSIL IVORY cross cut sections; This is what people pay big bucks for. Gorgeous colors & patterns.

Black fossil is the oldest of all fossil ivories. They say it takes 10,000 years to turn Ivory black.

Blue fossil is the rarest and commands the largest price for any of the fossil color(s).

http://majikimaje.com/Ivry-Crfts/fi01.jpg

http://majikimaje.com/Ivry-Crfts/fi02.jpg

Have you ever watched (any) professional do a certain skilled task ?? They always make it look so easy. That is only because they have done this same step many thousands of times.

The first time you attempt to take a simple shape out of a piece of ivory or baleen, you will not get perfection on your first attempt.

FIRST you have to get a 'feel' for using that tool. That only comes through experience.

Do not be discouraged. ANYONE can do this with just a little bit of practice !!

We have taught many children - THEY ALL BECAME experts in no time at all - so will you - if you put in the time !!

This is our newest bracelet just finished today.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/nb.JPG

Art Scott

Apr-16-2011, 07:01 AM

I was just about to ask if the carving was done traditionally or by dremel....well you answered that.....Thanks for the lessons on making Ivory Jewelry.....

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 10:05 AM

That is a 9 piece bracelet each piece had to be angled 18.5 degrees to make it lock perfectly into a circle shape.

3 more bracelets will be finished today and sold tommorrow @ the Native hospital.

We began carving (seriously) on April 1st of this year.

I want you to notice the change(s) that have occured in this room in the last two days.

By the end of this month you will notice a brand new professional shop with all brand new tools costing many thousands of dollars !!

Wait - watch - read - look and LEARN !!

APRIL 1ST

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000358.JPG

APRIL 2ND

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000372.JPG

APRIL 3RD

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/rmday3.JPG

When I show you this room @ the end of this month - YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT !! I already know what is going to happen based on 7 years experience. These bracelets sell like hotcakes !!

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 10:41 AM

Today we are making progress; My sons have had ten months off with no carving cept for two very rare occasions. Now they are all fired up raring to go.

OUR GOAL: 3 BRACELETS PER DAY; one from each of my 3 sons daily. Isaiah is still in Point Hope. We expect him down here soon.

3 bracelets per day; that I will be happy to sell @ 200 each. = 18,000 in one months time. I can easily get 300 for each bracelet but we are not one bit greedy.

It is my hopes that by showing you precisely what we generate for income (honestly). That you might be inspired to begin to pick up a very lucrative trade and skill that is in much demand all over this entire state.

New bracelets: for today.

Notice the scratches in the baleen - this hasn't been sanded and polished yet.

This is a 12 piece bracelet; the angle was 9 degrees for this particular style.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/12piece.JPG

Notice how easy it is to string up a bracelet (there are many different ways to do this. (easiest method) take a 1 foot piece of bracelet cord and double it. push each end up one piece and add another piece. when finished you have two ends in your hand that are four inches long. the loop end is tight. pull on it for two inches now cut it. you have two ends with two inches on each end. Tie the knots and pull them as tight as you can. Next flood them with a light coat of super glue and let dry. Cut the excess from each end. Place the knots inside the two large holes that are made larger using burr bit.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/string.JPG

You can see some of the scratches in the baleen. It is the shine that sells; Make the baleen look like black glass.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/polish2.JPG

I will post the finished polished braclet(s) in the next post. Thanks for your interest and taking the time to comment !! I promise not to dissapoint you. My goal is to inspire you to begin slicing ivory!!!

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 10:49 AM

Do you remember that big hunk of Mastodon Ivory we began with??

Here it is; as it fell apart when we started to cut through the core. Mastodon is famous for this trait. It is so old & flakey. but it has a gorgeous natural criss-cross pattern.

None of this will go to waste. Everything will be used as insets - dots - or dust. With anytype of ivory - nothing is ever thrown away or discarded. Dust is valuable. In China they save all dust. fill a tube with super glue & add the Ivory dust and create a new tusk out of just the dust !!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000468.JPG

Another new bracelet in the works. We should have a total of 5 of them today (Monday) April 4th. Mark is headed straight over to the Native Hospital & we shall see what happens today in sales.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000474.JPG

Believe it or not - it will not take you very long to master this techinque. By the 3rd attempt you should be getting very close to perfect and PERFECT is close enough for me!!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000459.JPG

The final end cuts from a piece of fossil ivory.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000430.JPG

Art Scott

Apr-16-2011, 12:36 PM

I have walked all over Kansas, Arkansas, Mo.,& Ok. and have yet to find a piece of ivory or mastodon tusk, petrified or even newly lost:dunno:dunno:scratch:scratch....what's a person from the lower 48 to do?????:scratch:scratch:dunno:dunno :rofl:rofl:rofl

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 12:47 PM

Google Alaska Fur Exchange - you can purchase what ever you want from them. They will send you photos of what you want in your price range.

It is as simple as that. Let your fingers do the walking, Then your ears will hear the talking !!

Dogdots

Apr-16-2011, 02:01 PM

Thank you for sharing this process in such detail. I was just absorbed in how you did all you do. The bracelets are just beautiful :thumb

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 03:50 PM

Another small piece of mastodon. Notice the ever present cracks that will split the ivory once it is cut. Working with mastodon is a challenge in that you have to be creative in order to make use of the odd size pieces you are left with.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000435.JPG

These are the pieces that were pictured earlier all four pieces ready to slice off. This is what Jesse is going to use to make his next bracelet.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000423.JPG

Another recent purchase from Alaska Fur Exchange. E-mail these people. Tell them how much you want to spend. They will send you photos of several pieces in your price range. Invest a small amount of money and buy a small inexpensive piece @ about 50 bucks. Do the simple steps and you will make back $500 bucks. It is always ten times the invested amount in profit(s).

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000396.JPG

We like to use very large pieces of ivory to work with. You can do so much more - for a much longer period of time.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/DSC00647.JPG

Different styles of black & White braclets.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/DSC00536.JPG

The interesting contrast is what makes these bracelets so popular

Vica Owens of NorthWest Arctic Borough says this is their #1 request for bracelets when tourists arrive every spring. she says they can't have enough of these on hand. You can sell your stuff through this place on consignment. Many times she will just pay you outright that afternoon.
http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/DSC00575.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/DSC00576.JPG

Here is a finished bracelet recently put together as a finished product.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/fossil.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 05:17 PM

We are headed over to the native hospital this afternoon with four bracelets.

This bracelet needs circles (ivory) and then baleen hearts inset into the black blank baleen pieces. It is all ready to drill for the bracelet cord after the inlays are placed in carefully.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000477.jpg

Blue Magick is the only substance that is capable of getting scratches out of titanium. It is very expensive but what a shine it puts on Ivory. It is a blue liquid that smells and acts just like an old product for automobiles called "Blue Coral'. Did you know ?? Some baleen carvers use toothpaste to polish baleen with !!! Many carvers in barrow do not even polish their baleen when they display their works for sale.

More techniques and another bracelet is finished.

The ends are tied very tightly - the knots have super glue applied to them. The excess cord is cut off. The knot is pushed into the larger hole on the bracelet piece. Using a sharp object push the knot into the hole. If you try to pull that knot in - the bracelet piece will break. PUSH !! GENTLY. do not force it.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/S1.JPG

There are many different types of polishing compound (http://shorinternational.com/PolishCompounds.htm) available.

We have always used Fabu-Luster! We have no complaints. We make sure to keep plenty of it on hand. I will purchase a case shortly and give each of the boys six one pound tubes. That will last them a couple of years. I always try and stay stocked up on all supplies far in advance of when they will need them.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/S4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P2.JPG

it is very obvious THIS BRACELET was never wiped down with alcohol to remove excess polish (white mark(s).).

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/FIN1.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 05:34 PM

The next two bracelets to be completed today (monday) by Khris & Jesse;

Mark is currently @ the Native Hospital in attempts to sell the 3 bracelets we finished this weekend.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/K1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/K2.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/K3.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/K4.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/K6.JPG

Hand sanding each piece takes a few minutes time. To make the insets flush with the top of the bracelet.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/KS.JPG

Jesse is in the process of adding his insets to his bracelet.

each will be posted here as soon as they are finished!!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/J1.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/J2.JPG

Majik Imaje

Apr-16-2011, 05:40 PM

Angle the bracelet pieces 18 degrees this is a 9 piece. This fits the average woman's wrist.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/SA.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000499.JPG

POLISHING THE BRACLET

This is a lot simpler than you may think. The photos are self explanatory.

First start your dremel and dip the felt wheel into the Polishing compound.

Pick up some compound on the felt and go to work.

Polish front - back - or top & bottom - and ALL EDGES.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1A.JPG

Work out a method that is easy for you. The more you do this, the easier it will become. Each step is always repeated a dozen times or more for one bracelet. It only takes 3 or 4 bracelets for you to become very proficient at this JOB. ALL the many different children we trained over the years; All got the same results - they were making insets by their 4th or 5th bracelet. PRACTICE and I bet you can do it on your 2nd or 3rd.

PICK UP A SCRAP. draw a simple shape and try to cut it out.

We still break saw blades, we still screw up pieces every now and again. We still make lots of mistakes (at times). But we can push out inventory consistently & with outstanding quality. So can you.

The boys do the face first. The top

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1B.JPG
Then the sides

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1C.JPG

Then the edges where the string is. just put it out of the way. don't worry about it. just jam that felt and move the cord back and forth to get the inside edge as brilliant as the top and edges. THIS IS A MUST!!

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1D.JPG

When the bracelet or ear-rings are finally polished to a brilliant shine (it is the shine that sells). THEN .. take tissue and rubbing alcohol and clean off the entire bracelet. REMOVE ALL YOUR OIL from your skin that will dull the shine as soon as you touch any of the pieces.

Majik Imaje

Apr-17-2011, 12:33 AM

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000511.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000512.JPG

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/P1000513.JPG

The more you do these same steps.. .. the easier it gets.

Majik Imaje

Apr-17-2011, 02:45 PM

I am posting all of this to show you how simple it is to make outrageous money @ home doing the same simple steps day in and day out.

Yesterday we sold two bracelets @ The Native Hospital and we have one more sold there today. 3 bracelets are left over and two more shall be finished today.

The gift shop @ the native hospital doesn't want bracelets with any insets - simple but elegant were the words used. The bracelet in front center was just finished by Khris late last night.

http://majikimaje.com/Ivory/800/3br.jpg

Today the boys are going to make 3 plain bracelets - to see if we can sell them to the Gift Shop @ the Native Hospital - Tudor Bingo & Northern Lights Bingo are also on our list today. First they make the bracelets (4 hours work each). Then we get out and hustle to make the $$. We let the bracelets do all the talking. Every bracelet has a lifetime guarantee. We fix anything wrong for free - no questions asked. If a piece cracks or an inset pops out. Our service(s) are prompt & quickly resolved.

Once a bracelet is finished today - then the rest of the time in the shop will be devoted to prefabbing for the next day - so they can finish their days work early and get out and make sales then back to the shop to prefab for the next day. We have our routine down pat. This is all we did every single day for 7 years.

Many thousands of dollars per week - is very easy to make. But it is not going to happen in your life THIS WEEK. But as you create inventory and learn how to market your work - THAT DAY will quicky arrive when you also will make outrageous money. Just by doing these same simple steps day in and day out. Treat this like a real job. I guarantee you SUCCESS!!

Majik Imaje

Jun-04-2011, 06:06 AM

Well for what it is worth - MajikImaje001 (http://www.youtube.com/user/MajikImaje001?feature=mhum) is now on YouTube - 37 videos have been uploaded - showing in detail all of the different steps we use to create our bracelets.

I guess I better get back to posting images of the arctic.

Majik Imaje

Jun-07-2011, 04:36 PM

Although I wasn't in Barrow this year for whaling; we are still in Anchorage.
But under the 'fair use act' I can use these photos from a friend that was there.
A whale was caught not too far away from this crew, That animal being cut up and divided brought the smell of blood into the air; polar bears soon arrive in many different locations looking for food.
Making noise, waving arms, shouting and firing a rifle into the ice close by is enough to scare them away.

http://majikimaje.com/floyd/polar-bear.jpg
It is always a good thing to have someone in front of you with a rifle!! (chuckle) Just in case.!!

http://majikimaje.com/floyd/polar-bear2.jpg

No one is going to shoot a baby; polar bear or a teenager. The adults however sometimes present a problem. They are stubborn. Every attempt is always made to get that bear out of the camp site area and back away from where people are located.
http://majikimaje.com/floyd/front-umiaq.jpg
This is the wrong side of an umiaq to be on. I Have always been told - stay away from the left side of the umiaq. Only walk and sit on the right side. I have no idea how this image was created. I only know wht I have learned in the past and some things are very taboo out on the ocean ice. This is one of them. Wearing Red is another no no.. blues, whites, browns. are ok to wear but no other bright colors.allowed..
http://majikimaje.com/floyd/wrongside.jpg

Again the wrong side of the umiaq; I have seen in the past; hunters pick up their rifles and tell the person sternly; get away from that side of the umiaq!
you give away their position by standing up in that area before the umiaq. The whales approach from that direction. (left). Hunters are always BEHIND the umiaq. never in front of it.
http://majikimaje.com/floyd/wrongside2.jpg