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Amazing Pencil Lead Sculptures

August 24, 2010 by Amanda Formaro

As an artist myself, I get annoyed when I see the emails that circulate containing only photographs of mouth dropping art with no credit whatsoever to the creator. There’s no malicious intent of course, most people just pass things from friend to friend, and whoever copy and pasted it to begin with probably didn’t think anything of it. This is one such instance.

This morning I received an email from a friend containing some incredible images. Tiny little carvings and sculptures all from pencil lead! Oh, the steady hand and patience (not to mention good eyesight) that would be needed for this!

I did a little searching and found that these phenomenal creations were created by artist Dalton Ghetti. Dalton is a carpenter by trade and has been carving these tiny sculptures from graphite for over 25 years. A quote from Telegraph UK:

The 49 year old said: “At school I would carve a friend’s name into the wood of a pencil and then give it to them as a present. Later, when I got into sculpture, I would make these huge pieces from things like wood, but decided I wanted to challenge myself by trying to make things as small as possible. I experimented sculpting with different materials, such as chalk, but one day I had an eureka moment and decided to carve into the graphite of a pencil”

Even more amazing, Dalton doesn’t sell any of his work, only gives it away to his friends. The tools of his trade are a sewing needle, razor blade and a sculpting knife. He even has a “cemetery collection” for those pieces that broke before he could complete them.

Quote:

Dalton has made about 100 carvings, and is currently working on an epic piece inspired by the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. He said: “I decided to make a teardrop pencil carving for each of the people who died in the attack, about 3,000. Since 2002 I have carved one every day, it takes me under an hour. When I’m done they will form one big tear drop. It will take me about 10 years but it will be worth it”

To see the entire slideshow and read about Dalton, go to Telegraph UK. Scroll over each picture and an arrow will appear, or use the next and previous buttons in the upper right side.

There are a few more pictures on Silvermine Guild Art Center’s website and quite a few more, including a photo of the artist, on Buzzfeed.

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Comments

  1. Lakshmi Sadala says

    August 24, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Hi,
    I too got the email last week but never know the great artist. Thank you for your search and giving the information about the great artist.

  2. Barbara Crawford says

    August 24, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Absolutely awesome. Thanks for sharing!

  3. meaghan mountford says

    August 25, 2010 at 2:18 am

    Incredible post on this incredible art. Bravo! I had seen these featured elsewhere, too, (credited, luckily), and was stunned by the intricacy as well!

  4. Notebook says

    August 25, 2010 at 6:20 am

    10 years? Wow he must have been really emotionally affected. Too bad you can’t buy any of his work!

Trackbacks

  1. Driftwood Horses · Home and Garden @ CraftGossip says:
    August 26, 2010 at 1:01 pm

    […] Key and Towel Racks10 Fab Photo DisplaysVideo: How to Make a Laundry Chute8 Easy to Build Fire PitsAmazing Pencil Lead SculpturesDIY Video: Decoupage Craft Paper FloorGina's Etsy Success SecretsDIY Lap TrayFabric Covered […]

Have you read?

5 Must-Know Secrets to Turning Your Suburban Home into a Profitable, Sustainable Homestead

If you’re dreaming of creating a self-sufficient homestead but feel limited by your suburban setting, you’re not alone. Many homeowners believe that homesteading is only for those with acres of land, but the truth is, it’s entirely possible to transform your suburban home into a profitable and sustainable homestead. Whether you’re aiming to cut grocery bills, reduce your carbon footprint, or even earn some extra income, here are five must-know secrets that will help you turn your suburban space into a thriving, sustainable homestead!

Maximize Your Garden Space with Vertical Growing

In a suburban backyard, space can be limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow a bountiful garden. Vertical gardening is the key to utilizing your space more efficiently and maximizing your yield.

You can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs vertically by using trellises, hanging planters, and vertical garden towers. Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, and beans do especially well when grown vertically, as they can be trained to grow upwards instead of sprawling out.

Secret Tip: Consider using vertical gardening methods for food that you and your family consume regularly—like herbs, lettuces, and even strawberries—so you’ll have a fresh supply right at your fingertips. Not only does this save money, but it can also reduce your grocery bill over time.

Incorporate Small Livestock for Eggs, Meat, and Manure

Raising small livestock like chickens, rabbits, or even bees can greatly contribute to your homestead’s sustainability and profitability. Chickens, for example, provide fresh eggs and natural pest control, and they can even be kept in smaller, urban-friendly spaces.

Secret Tip: Chickens are relatively low-maintenance, and with a well-designed coop, they can thrive even in a suburban backyard. If you’re interested in expanding your livestock options, rabbits can also be a great choice. They reproduce quickly and offer meat that is lean and nutritious. Plus, their manure can be composted and used to fertilize your garden!

Profit Tip: By selling eggs, surplus poultry, or even honey from your bees, you can generate some extra income. A small side hustle like this can help pay for your homesteading supplies or even turn into a full-time business over time.

Harvest and Store Water with a Rainwater Collection System

Water is essential to every homestead, and one of the easiest ways to become more self-sufficient is by harvesting rainwater. A rainwater collection system can help reduce your water bills and ensure you always have water available for your garden, livestock, and even for household use (if treated properly).

Secret Tip: Set up rain barrels or a larger rainwater collection system with gutters to capture rainfall from your roof. The collected water can be used for irrigation, washing your car, or even cleaning outdoor spaces. Just make sure to use a proper filtration system if you plan to use it for drinking or cooking.

Profit Tip: Rainwater harvesting also reduces your dependence on the local water supply, which could be especially beneficial during dry spells or in areas with water restrictions. You’ll save money while helping conserve natural resources!

Implement Solar Power to Cut Energy Costs and Increase Sustainability

If you’re serious about sustainability, investing in solar power is a must. Solar panels are a great way to reduce your energy costs, and depending on where you live, you may even be eligible for tax credits or rebates to offset the installation cost.

Secret Tip: Start small by adding a few solar panels to power outdoor lights, a small garden pump, or a shed. If your energy needs grow, you can gradually add more panels to your home. Some homeowners even sell excess energy back to the grid, which can help offset the cost of installation and lead to potential income!

Profit Tip: In addition to cutting your electric bill, generating your own solar power means less reliance on external sources of energy, making your homestead more resilient and eco-friendly.

Monetize Your Homestead: Sell Homemade Products and Services

One of the best things about turning your suburban home into a homestead is the ability to generate extra income from the hard work you put in. Whether it’s selling homemade preserves, eggs, flowers, or even hand-crafted items, there are plenty of opportunities to profit from your homesteading efforts.

Secret Tip: Start by making small, high-demand products like jams, pickles, or soaps and selling them at local farmers’ markets or online platforms like Etsy. If you’re raising livestock, selling fresh eggs or meat can also be a great way to earn some cash.

Profit Tip: The key to monetizing your homestead is to identify products or services that you can consistently produce and that have a steady demand in your area. Your local community may be looking for fresh, local produce or sustainable, handcrafted goods—and you can meet that demand while earning a profit!

Turning your suburban home into a profitable, sustainable homestead doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By using smart space-saving techniques, raising small livestock, harvesting rainwater, and implementing energy-saving solutions like solar power, you can reduce your reliance on external resources and create a thriving homestead right in your own backyard.

And don’t forget the potential to monetize your homestead! Whether you sell homemade products, eggs, or garden surplus, there’s money to be made in homesteading.

Start small, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, your suburban home will not only be more sustainable, but it will also be a profitable, self-sufficient homestead!

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