Fun with sharp things

I have an insane amount of code to write (and fix) over the weekend. So what did I do this afternoon? Scrimshaw!

The beginner kit I blogged about a few weeks ago has been sitting neglected while I've been buried in deadlines, but I've been playing with the plastic practice piece over the past few days. Today, I finally maimed one of the ivory piano keys. Here's my very first ivory scrimshaw:


A few lessons learned over the past few days:

• Wiping the ink away to see the etched lines is a headrush, no matter how lame the image.
• Don't sharpen the grease pencil with the x-acto knife; you will never get the blade clean again.
• An old issue of Dr. Dobbs is a useful work surface, but the unpolished back of the piano key will pick up ink from the newsprint.
• If the ink isn't fresh, it dries quickly, and then it's a royal pain to scrub off the ivory surface.
• If the ink is too dry to scrub off easily, spit is your friend.

Sooner or later, the combination of cats on the desk, tiny bottles of ink, and keyboard are going to end in disaster. I should learn a few new swearwords in advance.