antler for a shuttle

[gahorsley]

I found a pair of tongs yesterday at the thrift store and there was a small piece of what I think is antler on the handles. It is brownish-beige and rough on the outside but when hubby took it off the metal, it was cream color and smooth on the bottom. Does anyone have any idea as to whether this could somehow be fashioned into a shuttle?

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

Is it large enough to make a flat shuttle? Are you going to make it yourself? I know Dave Stanbrough at Grizzly Mountain Arts works with antler, and I believe the Shuttle Brothers do also. It might be worth contacting these men to see if they could fashion something special for you! I can hardly wait to learn what you do with this wonderful find!

[Susan B T]

Antler is like "ivory" so it should make up very nicely. It is old it may be brittle so be careful if you do the cutting be careful.

[gahorsley]

there are two pieces and they are probably about 3 inches long and maybe 1/2 inch wide, so too narrow for a flat shuttle. good idea for contacting the two people. I may try and shoot them an email tonight or tomorrow. thanks. I would love to have something out of these two pretty pieces. speaking of flat shuttles, my hubby made me 4 this past week out of those cut out thingies like you can buy at Hobby Lobby. He was actually just playing around with some patterns I had traced off, but I really liked them and have already used a couple of them. They take some getting used to after using my post shuttles, but I did like the feel of them. now my project is to get something out of the antler!

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

I have some shuttles, both flat and post, from Grizzly Mountain Arts where Dave used the ivory as an inlay piece in wood. He did scrimshaw on the ivory, and I love them! I'm a scrimshaw fan from way back, and I feel very privileged to own some of his works of art! I'm not sure if Dave still does scrimshaw or not, but I think the Shuttle Brothers do. Good luck!

[gahorsley]

thanks Diane--I have already sent an email to both Grizzly Mountain and Shuttle Brothers. I hope one of them will be able to do something with my little treasure. I would love to have something from either one of them! i'LL let you know what I hear.

[gahorsley]

If you have a Grizzly Mountain shuttle--TREASURE IT!! I had an email today from Dave in response to my inquiry last night as to whether he could make a shuttle. He said he had nerve damage in his neck and was not able to make small things like shuttles any longer, he was just doing larger items. So he's out. I haven't heard from Shuttle Bros. yet. So like I said, for those of you who are lucky enough to have one of Dave's shuttles, Treasure it!

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

I'm so sorry to hear that Dave is having problems. I wondered why he hadn't made any shuttles in a while. I will definitely treasure each and every shuttle I have from him. Thank you for sharing what you've learned.

[TattingChic]

Oh no! THat is tragic about Dave Stanbrough! I do have some of his shuttles so yes, I WILL treasure them because THEY ARE works of art! Good luck on your quest to find a way to fashion a shuttle out of your antler piece! I think the shuttle brothers sound like a likely option.

[gahorsley]

I thought the Shuttle Bros would be an option also, but they haven't responded to my e-mail, so I don't know what's up with them. I'll keep hoping something (or someone) turns up!