Bone Moulds

I've always been fascinated with metal working, (as you know), and with the very limited things at home I can really do (like shaping metal) I almost rarely consider melting metal, let alone moulding it.

I really started to fool around with melting metals, when I was working on your pendant. So while browsing around armature tools, tricks and DIY's I stumbled across what you see in the picture above.

No, not the cute and innocent turtle.
What I'm referring to is the item on which he is "surfing" on. It's known as a cuttlefish bone.
Why? Because it's membrane/skull/bone thingy of a cuttlefish, which isn't a fish, but a squid. (Don't ask me why they're called 'cuttlefish'. Maybe they hug their prey to death?)

But what makes this bone soo useful to me (as well as my bird, since he munches on these), is that they can be used for small molds in jewelry making, such as rings, pendants, and soo many other curios. This to me opens up another whole new element to my crafting and metal working.

The soft inner side of the bone acts as a perfect area to carve and engrave whatever design you like, for whatever thing you wanna make. The ideas are endless, and quite fascinating (least to me), though the bone can only be used once, after which, you'll have to use another bone for the mould.

If you wish to learn more information about the cuttlefish bone and a procedure to make your own mould, you can check it out here.
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(Attention: Next part may be depressing, so please don't read if you don't want to.)

In some other news, I've been actually slacking off on a lot of things.
My work, my projects, my friends gifts. I've not worked on them as much or even at all.
I think part of it's due to the way Elise got soo upset at me for working on her gift soo soon, not that I can blame her. I mean, I did take a whole year to try to work on it, and now, ever since she yelled at me for doing so, I haven't even touched it. I don't think I'll have time now to finish it, nor do I know what to carve using the ebony wood, nor do I feel really inspired to.
And like I said, it's not just her gift, it's everyone's (yours included).
Another reason I think I'm not working as hard as I usually do is cause I am quite depressed. Not to mention I still feel very guilty about hurting both you and Elise. Elise more, since she never really forgave me. (Not that I expected her to.) And even then, I doubt I'll forgive myself for making her cry on numerous occasions.
It's funny... You end up having feelings for a girl, and you're told to stop showing that emotion of love towards them, and then the next thing you know is that you're being condemned a bad guy for loving in the first place.

With you gone and busy with uni, I don't really have anyone to talk to, nor many that understand or care enough to help me. You were really the first person (from Elise) to really try and help me. Though you've grown to be quite the busy gal. Seems I won't even be able to spend time with my favorite Turtle, even on Christmas break. Though I am glad you're doing a lot better in life now. : )

I know you'll continue to blossom.
Keep up the wonderful work, lil Turtle.
I am, and will always be proud of you.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to try to at least get some rest. Even if it means crying myself to sleep, followed by nightmares. : P

Anyways, take care.

Your dearest friend,

Owl