Skull Keys

These skull key rings have been entirely handcrafted in my Scottish Borders workshop from various reclaimed and vintage house keys.

I start by roughly drawing the desired skull shape, then drill the eye/nose holes using my vintage 1970’s Black and Decker drill and drill-press.

Using a bench grinder, I remove the original notches from the key and shape the cheekbones. With the skull shape roughed-out, I deburr and hand-shape the skull with needle files and cut the teeth to the desired depth. With my Foredom power carver I use three grades of Scotch-Brite radial discs to polish the key.

A number of these skull key rings are available to buy in my Etsy shop.

Making Skull Pendants and Keyrings

These skull pendants and keyrings are crafted from vintage nickel silver teaspoons that are source from various places (such as charity shops, or given to me).

The process of making the skulls is rather time consuming and involves drilling, cutting, filing, grinding, sanding and polishing . I utilised my Proxxon Micromot as a mini bench grinder to help in shaping the metal around the edges.

Here are some of the finished products- I’ve listed some of these in my Etsy shop, just follow this link.

Tibetan Skull Plaques

I based these skulls on a photograph of an ancient (and very worn) Tibetan Buddhist stone.

These are all freehand carved before sanding/polishing to 1200 grade. Enamelled with professional signwriters enamel before finishing with slate sheen. Sizes range from 7 x 10 cm to 9 x 10.5 cm. All now sold.

‘Bronze, Bone and Silence’

‘Bronze, Bone and Silence’

Reclaimed slate hearth stone, Cornish beach stones, wood. 37.2 x 23.1 x 17.0 cm.
Insertion of a short cist burial in a stone setting. The skeleton is a reflection upon burials such as those found at Newhaven in Edinburgh and Cladh Hallan in South Uist. The stones around are carved with cup and ring markings based on prominent constellations seen in the skies above Scotland during the four seasons (Orion in Winter, Leo in Spring, Cygnus in Summer and Perseus in Autumn). The style of cup and ring markings reflects those found at Ballymeanoch Stone Row and Nether Largie Standing Stones in Kilmartin Glen. Dimensions of the wooden base correspond to the Golden Ratio/Phi.
This was included in the ‘Shambhala at Shambellie’ exhibition at Shambellie House, New Abbey nr Dumfries (17th to 29th August 2017).

The Orion Stone

The Leo Stone

The Cygnus Stone

The Perseus Stone

Close up of the skeleton

Tibetan Flaming Skulls Wall Plaques

Carved from hand-cut reclaimed slates (24 x 17 cm), I based these designs on an ancient stone from a book about Tibetan carvings.

 

 

Skull Spoons

Individually handcrafted from vintage silver tea spoons.

I’ll have these for sale at the fairs/exhibitions coming up, but you can also buy direct from Hatch, Burn, Carve (PM me or email hatchburncarve@yahoo.co.uk)