If you ever come to Lightning Ridge, make sure you do the tour of the Black Hands Mine. Yes, at $40 ($30 senior) it’s expensive. But you can’t take it with you when you die. And you may never get back here again. And THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT AND SHOULDN’T BE MISSED! Plus your ticket gives you access for 48 hours. You may find yourself going back again, like I did. You may find yourself not wanting to leave!
When a shaft is dug, the first layer is rocky and sharp. Once past this layer you hit sandstone. The deeper you go, the softer the sandstone gets. Below this is where the opals are found.
Ron Canlin did not have huge success with his mine. But he discovered he greatly enjoyed carving the soft sandstone. With no artistic training at all, Ron has now carved over 800 sculptures in his mine, all with a bone handled Sheffield knife and a fork. I asked how many knives he has gone through. He’s actually still on the original as the stone is so soft. But it is considerably shorter than when he began!
He used to use an old leather glove to create the smooth surfaces, but had since discovered steel wool, which he prefers.
This is a huge post, which will be mainly photos (not 800, but I may go close), and done in two parts. Enjoy them both – but be warned. Your participation is required in part 2!
Take a break from photo fatigue, then check out the quiz on Sculptures part 2
This Is How I Roll 