"PLASTIC CARVING DESIGNS"
1947

From
The HOME CRAFTSMAN
The Magazine for the Practical Homeowner
March-April 1947
Reverse Carving
 

The HOME CRAFTSMAN March-April, 1947
  "Flower forms for internal carving in plastics."
by Harry Zeback

 "Before starting an internal carving, polish one or more edges of the clear plastic so you can see how deep you are carving. Outline the design... press gently using a tapered drill... avoid cutting one flower form into another."

   Each flower is formed by carving at various angles and shapes, and to different depths.

   The rose seems the most challenging to master. "Flowers may be left natural or colored with plastic dyes, tempera colors, oil paints or lacquers... cavities may be filled with plaster of Paris if desired."

Carved Bakelite, Lucite and plastic jewelry and was made in home workshops and high school shop classes as well as being done professionally. While it was most popular in the 1940's-1950's, there are carvers who still do this kind of work today, such as Ron & Ester Shultz. Examples of this kind of intricate artistic jewelry are shown below.

  LUCITE reverse carved and painted desk ornament. Although the flower looks almost real, it is not. Nothing is embedded into the Lucite but rather, it is carved and panted from the reverse, giving a realistic appearance from the front.   View   View    #B23229

   Side view showing depth of carving.

   Back view showing carved area sealed with resin.

   LUCITE  reverse carved pink rose lipstick stand, 1-1/4" high and 2-1/8" wide, tag on bottom reads, "Bircraft, Huntington, Indiana".   #B23508

All pieces shown for scale.

   LUCITE reverse carved pink rose pen stand, 2" x 2".   #B23509

   LUCITE reverse carved and painted red roses pin, 2".  View   #B12792

    LUCITE reverse carved and painted 1-3/4" pin and 3/4" screw back earrings with red and white roses.  View   View   #B12795

     LUCITE  reverse carved and painted rectangular 1-1/2" pin with yellow roses on black background.  View   #B12798 

   LUCITE  reverse carved and painted orange butterfly and pansy pin, 1-3/4".   View   #B12799

   LUCITE oval reverse carved and painted 1-5/8" pin with red roses on white background.  View   #B12797

      LUCITE reverse carved and painted  red roses clip back earrings 5/8".   #B23388

VIEW of all for size comparison.

   LUCITE floral ring stands, each 2" tall. Orange 1-1/2" wide #B23099; pink 1-5/8" wide #B23101; red 1-1/2" wide #B23097; yellow 1-1/2" wide #B23098.   View    #B23097

  LUCITE reverse carved and painted stand, 3" by 3". View   View   #B23389

       LUCITE reverse carved and painted purple flower brooch, 2".  View   #18202

 LUCITE reverse carved and painted  blue roses clip back earrings 5/8".   View    #B13891

   LUCITE reverse carved and painted yellow roses pin and screw-back earrings.    #B23493

LUCITE reverse carved pink roses and green leaves pin and earrings.    #B23731

    LUCITE reverse carved and painted basket with lavender flowers pin, 2".   View   #B27257

  LUCITE reverse carved pink rose desk ornament.  View   #B23648