Working with pipestone

[RonMasa@xxxxxxx]

Hi Connie,

    There are many answers to where to begin.  I would say, begin simply.  I
might take a small chunk and hand carve it with a pocket knife, getting to
know the stone.  You can also use a hand drill with drill bits, or rotary
rasps from the hardware store, and sandpapers to smooth it and one of many
types of stone sealer ... tho be cautious if someone will be smoking the peace
pipe, using something lung-friendly, like bees wax to soak into lightly
(oven-) warmed stone.

    You might like Dona Meilach's book "Contemporary Stone Sculpture" for a
wealth of beginner hints.  I should also mention that there is controversy
about working this stone since it is considered by some as a sacramental
stone reserved for Native Americans (which you may be).  In any case, a)
there is a great, unpaid debt to our Native American brothers whose values
matter,  and b) every stone deserves respect as a treasure of nature.

                             electRONicALLY yours,     RonMasa