Thread: Starting market stall here in Broome shortly...

Pearl shell appears easy enough to work Shane but the dust is a real worry. There are you tube vids on working bone which is similar and there is nice work coming out of NZ Pacific pearl shell carvings, Pacific pearl shell pendants, Pacific pearl shell necklaces Maybe rain drop shapes on a bit of Jarrah as a pendant?

Great ideas there mate cheers... will be giving another shell another go but they tend to crack and break apart easy... the idea of pearl shell drops on the timber is good could easily work it into a bit of veneer artwork

To cut pearl shell I use a fine jeweller's saw and hold the shell on a bridsmouth (you know a pice of wood with a slot in it to give support on both sides of the cut). I only use small bits (eg around the keyhole of a drawer lock).

Praps if you were doing a lot a really fine blade in a scroll saw would work....

Smash em up and do a mosaic with them....

Friends of mine arrived home from holidays with a unique looking timber bread board. Got it through Customs OK. It got me thinking tourists would like something practical like bread boards yet unique, eg with Aussie timbers and design. Plus Customs in other countries don't go ballistic over timber products like they do in Australia.

Shane the coconut polishes up beautifully - anything you make out of it polished - from jewellry to the key rings etc will have a great finish - use a buff and a bit of polish.

I use a Dremil tool with those cutting cutting disks, cuts steel, plastics and I think shells would be a piece of cake
les
btw
welcome back

hey dingo, great to see you representing broome! I was there for a year a couple years back, i started my cabinet making apprenticeship with williams homes up there.

I know those markets somewhat like the back of my hand and most of the stalls there are art, jewlery and those people who make the really nice crushed mango icecream. Although there is (or atleast was) a guy who sold really cool antique knives (theres a suggestion for you, make up some nice knives) and also a guy who made some really nice chopping boards, solid timber, natural edge, cast iron handles...

Do you just do turning type products or do you also make furniture? The reason why i ask is i'm pretty sure there isn't a bespoke furniture maker in town there, so theres a bit of a niche. Also, broome has some very wealthy people up there willing to pay good money for good products, so i wouldn't just hone in on the tourists (depeniding on if this is going to be main income).

As you have probably noticed, there are alot (and i mean alot) of galleries in broome so i'd suggest selling some of your products through them, as they tend to draw a crowd.

Nice necklaces, rings or braclets would be a good suggestion for the many hippies up there, something which incorporates some mother of pearl maybe. Also try getting some local timbers from there, i remember seeing a business which does slabs etc up there.

The nautical theme is also a great suggestion. Maybe some solid timber hand reels, hand craft some oysters and when people open them up the inside is mother of pearl, or there is a single pearl sitting inside, that would look great. Also i think its staircase to the moon season so try possibly make something to do with the staircase.

I hope i havent been over the top with my suggestions but i hope it got some creative juices flowing.

Spencer.

Pssssstt hey Shane, where art thou? Still in Broome? How about an update young fella?

Clean sweep eh

Ding hangs out at the Wooden Boat Forum these days.
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Dingo has gone looking for babies

rafflesnappleflaminpasswords!!!

Ahem... so there I was with this whang dang doodle of a rip snorter of a response... but do you think I could remember my password? NOT A SHOW IN HECK!!!

So anyways I finally sorted my brain packet out and there it was!! So Im back!

Thanks for the great suggestions!!!

At present Im in Kal seeing the second eldest then its back to Australind to see some of the others for Chissy then its back home to Broome for the New Year madness... IF the roads are passable apparently they tell me theres been some rain up in the Gascoyne which could slow me down a tad

Market stall... mmm well it kinda stalled when I ran out of motivation not sure if Im gonna go ahead with it as I still cant seem to find the damned thing!! I think that wretch inspiration kidnapped motivation and they headed of into the wild blue yonder together leaving me with a somewhat empty basket of options!

But I am starting to write finally... short stories for kids at present once I have a few up my sleeve I have a publisher ready in the states so we will see what happens with that caper

Anyway as I figure out what and where I wish to be I will update somehow... probably forget the damned password again knowing me but I think Ive about done my time in Broome and feel the urge to move on to different climes... may sell the park home may not as young Aaron is now living with me I may just let him rent it while I pack up and wander off somewhere... we will see what comes of 2011

Originally Posted by Wild_Dingo

...But I am starting to write finally... short stories for kids at present once I have a few up my sleeve I have a publisher ready in the states so we will see what happens with that caper ...

Good on ya Ding, hope it goes well for ya.