Fixing broken alabaster

["Ted Schaghy" <ted@zzzzzzzz>]

Kyle,
Go to the refrigerator and get a fresh egg.  Separate the white from the
yolk, put the raw white on both sides of the break, press together and allow
to dry thoroughly.  Your carving should not show the fracture.  This
treatment is for alabaster only.

Second thought (more of a business matter): if I were making the piece for
myself or as a gift for someone to be given away, repairing it is an option.
But if I were making the piece to put it out on the market I would be very
hesitant about turning out broken/repaired work.  I don't do sculpture, but
even my simple hearthstones and mantelpieces, address stones, etc., if they
break wrong while pitching an edge for example, I cut a new piece and start
over.  Something about putting broken/repaired work out on the market gives
me the creeps.  I just won't do it.  I will repair existing work, but I have
only once broken an unfinished piece and repaired it for sale.  I cut a
large hearthstone out of Indiana limestone and during one of my last strikes
with the pitching tool the rock faced edge cut under and past my line,
leaving an empty space where stone should have remained.  I was very
disappointed.  The stone was an unusual piece and was very beautiful - and
almost finished!  Dang!  I finished the piece anyway, leaving it broken, and
called the client to come have a look with his own eyes and judgment.  I did
not tell him the stone was broken.  He absolutely loved it.  Finally, I
pointed out to him what went wrong and where the stone had broken.  Lucky
me, he looked at the bad edge and said, "Nonsense!  That stone is beautiful
and it's going on my fireplace today!  Load it in my truck, Sir!"  He
proceeded to the office where he paid the full amount for the stone, and on
his way out he peeled seven ten dollar bills off a wad and toked me, the
lucky stone cutter.  Whew!

I have to wonder sometimes what a sculptor who has spent a lot of time on a
carving does when they find themselves suddenly staring at a nice piece that
was accidentally broken in the process of carving.  What do they do?  Yikes.
It must be a heartbreaking experience.  I hope a professional sculptor will
see this message and comment on it.  I have always wondered about that.

Ted