Creative Woodworks & crafts 1998-07, страница 28

Exploded View Drawing

Insert the cross into the mortise

Faster the components with Glue Buddy

Cut a rectangular mortise in the top base

Top base

Middle base

f Lower base

The scenic approach to Crystal Valley Stone's alabaster mine located near Carbondale, Colorado.

The History and Future of Alabaster

by Nick Kuhlmann

For six years, deep in the heart of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Robert Congdon has been developing a mine containing one of the world's largest and purest deposits of | alabaster. This alabaster bed is located in the White River National Forest on Ihe western slope of the Continental Divide near Carbondale, Colorado. II was formed next to a 13,000 ft. peak named Mt. Sopris. The peak itself is a batholith, a geologic term for a rising chamber of magma that metamorphosed the surrounding bedrock of limestone and gypsum into marble ar.d alabaster

Created by tremendous heat, pressure, and time, alabaster is among the finest artisan grade stones available. This is also one of the nation's largest deposits of alabasler. Measuring approximately the size of three city blocks in length, one in width, and over 350 feci tall, it will enable us to harvest blocks and cores of any dimension for many years to comc.

The grain structure of alabaster is crypto-crystalline, which means that each particle of material thai makes up this slone is microscopic. This makes it very consistent ar.d gives it a high level of polish ability.

Alabaster has a rich history, dating back to the days of the Egyptian Pharaohs. Within the tombs of the Kings, scientists have found vases and jars made of alabaster. These contained the organs of the Kings for safe keeping during their journey to the afterlife. Additionally, Native Americans held alabaster sacred, carving miniatures in the likenesses of their gods In fact. The mountainous region where the mine is located is near the location where, over a hundred years ago, the Ute Indian tribe held a ccremony in which they laid a curse upon the while man for invading their territories. They ignited a forest fire, meant to drive him from the mountains.

Just a few years ago, however, a Ute Indian elder paid an official visit to the site of the mine tor the purpose of lifting the curse, lie offered a blessing on the venture. His reasoning was simple: the alabaster is to be used for the bcautitication and embellishmeni of mankind through art. a purpose which walks hand in-hand with Lhe ways of the Ute Nation.

Alabaster is created by Mother Nature and God. II is surrounded by history and power Try some for yourself so that you too can attest to its striking character and incredible workability.

As the president of Crystal Valley Stone, I will be happy to provide additional information relating to alabaster if you would call me at (970) 947-0006 1 would also like to extend an invitation to you to come and see the mine and the incredible mouniains where alabaster has been formed- 1 can assure you that like crafting our alabaster, it will be a rewarding experience that you will not soon forget!

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