Scrimshaw is an old form of art developed by the Eskimos (Aleuts). It is a form of folk art using whalebone. The Eskimos scratch artwork into the bone with a scribe and then rub the bone into a mixture of whale fat and ashes to bring out the lines.

With only three craft sticks (Popsicle type), young folks can learn how to care for carving and whittling pocket knives in a relatively safe way - and have fun while doing so.

After completion, the Soap Carver can be used to make carvings out of bars of soap, cakes of plaster (made from a mixture of equal parts plaster of Paris and vermiculite - see sidebar) or modeling clay.

Important: The following project should be done with adult supervision, as sharp tools will be used to make your Soap Carver!