Alabaster Mouse

There is something a bit magical about working alabaster, it has a hint of translucency which is enhanced with polishing, and a sort of soft glow.  This is a very small piece of Fauld Alabaster – I can only obtain tiny chunks of this stone, the seams having been worked out, so it is now very rare.  It is called Fauld Alabaster because it is from Fauld village in Staffordshire.

Here is some history of the Fauld mine, with a wonderful image of a huge block of alabaster being taken from the mine, and further details about the enormous crater made in the landscape after a munitions explosion at the site.  Tony Waltham from Nottingham Trent University on Fauld Alabaster is fascinating too.

Lots of sanding with finer grades of wet-and-dry paper and the stone begins to polish, bringing the rusty colours to full richness.  As the mouse is held  for the most part, while working, it becomes warm from being in the hand and with the sort of glow that alabaster has, makes the stone feel very much alive.