Scrimshaw

Explain to your children that scrimshaw is an art form usually associated with sailors who would carve beautiful pictures on a polished piece of ivory. Modern scrimshaw is created by many artists whether or not they have a life near or on the sea. The preferred materials to use today are nut palm, deer antlers (which fall off the animal), alligator teeth, or shark teeth. Your younger children can make their own scrimshaw designs on Styrofoam trays and older children can make carved pendants using self-hardening clay.

Younger children will need:

• clean Styrofoam tray
• a knitting needle
• crayon
• paper towel

Your children can scratch a design in the tray. Then color over the design with crayon. Use a paper towel to take off the color except for that left in the scratches.

Older children will need:

• self-hardening clay
• a large nail\
• paint or markers
• clear acrylic spray
• yarn

Have children form a round medallion from the clay. While still damp, they can scratch a design in the clay using a nail. Also have them make a hole in the top. Color with paint or markers and then spray with a clear acrylic. When dry, yarn can be threaded through the top hole so the medallion can be worn around the neck.