MIMF

Here are a couple of inlays I've worked on for the tenor 'ukuleles I build.

Where?

I tried before but it didn't upload. I think they were too large and I didn't notice the error message.

Those are awesome! How do you cut the abalone with enough accuracy to create such detail? I wish I was that creative!

Kevin, a couple of years back I was lucky enough to take 2 online inlay classes right here on the forum. It was a great experience and we learned a lot about creating nice inlays. It is not as hard as you might imagine. I'd recommend you start by reading Larry Robinson's book, "The Art of Inlay". As far as cutting it just comes down to practice. The right tools help and of course, always work safely with a mask and vacuum to avoid ever breathing any pearl dust. Very nasty stuff!! Doing inlay was actually what got me started building instruments

Neal,

Thanks for responding. I've added the book to my wish list, and I'll check into doing some inlay work.

I really like your designs, and I appreciate you sharing.

Thanks Kevin, appreciate your comments. I have others that I'll try to dig up and add here.

Nice inlays. My ukulele playing daughter would like that sea turtle one for sure. We made a banjo uke together last year with a sea turtle cutout in the back and the same design etched on the tailpiece.

Thanks Jon. The Sea Turtle was the logo for a tenor uke my son and I built for one of his college friends as a graduation present. She, like him, was a Marine Biology major whose passion is for turtles. I think it was well received

Thought I'd post the rest of the uke headstocks.

and a couple more

And last but not least . . .

And here is the completed cigar box for that last post with the matching headstock.

Nice work!

Thanks for showing.

Thanks Steve. I really love the inlay part of this hobby. I'm currently working on a couple of restoration projects that will both require new headstock inlays.

Wow! Mucho awesomeness! Thanks for posting the pictures of your work!

Neal, you have a good sense of design. Do you have training in this area? Very nice.

Michael Lewis wrote:Neal, you have a good sense of design. Do you have training in this area? Very nice.

Thank you Michael. No training in design at all. I took (here on MIMF) the 2 inlay classes offered several years ago, and that certainly helped somewhat. I just kind of jump in and try things and so far it has worked pretty well for me.

That's great stuff! I think it's funny you call them "logos," because they're all different. That, sir, is headstock art! The anti-logo.

Jason, you're right!

Thanks for the compliment, perhaps I ought to start thinking of it as art. Never really thought of myself as an artist. Who'da thunk? One of these days I probably should create a logo. Thinking it will be the one labeled: Unsui in Japanese kanji above.