Moosup Valley Designs

Moosup Valley Designs
76A Moosup Valley Rd.
Foster, RI 02825
Tel: 401.397.7190
Fax: 401.397.8508
info@mvdesigns.com

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What are Moosup Valley Design products made of?
Is it whale bone or elephant ivory?
Is the image painted on?
Are the jewelry pieces durable?
Who does the work?
Where is the work available?

DEFINITIONS
Cast in resin - each piece starts as a wax or clay carving and is then cast in a silicone rubber mold. The pieces that are removed from the mold is a two part man made resin product. The very hard resin piece can then be engraved with the fine line detail that is characteristic of Rachel's work.
Fossilized - a piece of bone or wood that has undergone a chemical change over millions of years that has preserved and hardened the material. Since whale and elephant materials are illegal to use, fossilized ivory is very much in demand for carvers and engravers.
Embossed etching - a technique of pressing paper onto a relief plate which gives a raised look on the paper. Most embossing is done by hand pulling the paper through a printing press. Some is done by pressing by hand. Rachel started using this technique about 16 years ago with her copper and zinc plate etchings.
Fine line detail - used to describe Rachel's intricate line detail in all her works. Rachel uses a magnifying visor so that she can see the minute lines that she is engraving into her work.
Scrimshaw - a technique and art form usually associated with whalers from the 1800's. The art of engraving on bones or antlers has been done for thousands of years. A fine point is used to engrave designs or scenes onto an object which is then rubbed with ink to fill in the line and bring the engraving to life.

What are our products made of?

All products are made from a man-made polymer resin.

Is it whale bone or elephant ivory?

NO! Animal products are not used in our designs.

Is the image painted on?

No. An original piece is carved, engraved, and cast. Each piece is then hand-finished with ink to bring out the fine line detail.

Are the jewelry pieces durable?

Yes. They are quite durable but should be treated with care.

Who does the art work?

Rachel does all the carving and engraving for every design. CLICK HERE for information about Rachel and her techniques.

Where is the work available?

Besides being here on the Internet, the work may be purchased at Art & Craft Fairs (see our Show Calendar) or at galleries and shops across the United States. Please contact us for a retailer in your area by calling our TOLL FREE number ... 888-397-1953.