ボール馬連

ボール馬連を作りました！使ってみる為に木版画を作ろうかな：）
We had the ball baren workshop at school yesterday. A baren is used for printing woodblock or relief prints by hand. Instead of the typical bamboo leaf covered flat surface, we made barens with balls that roll along to create pressure. They work well not only for waterbased woodblock, but also for linocut and wood engraving.

This drawing gives an idea of the structure. On top is a rounded wooden disc.

 On the non-curved side you glue a 2cm cork ring. Then you cut and glue a rubber sheet and plastic sheet to fit inside the cork. The important part is that the rubber and plastic sheets are not the same height as the cork.

 Then you have to arrange the balls, leaving holes for screws. These are the type of metal balls used for ball bearings. Putting in the screws also proved to be a challenge. I dropped the baren at this point, sending the beads flying all over.

 Once the bottom was secure, we made handles out of twisted leather held in place by bits of copper.

 Finished product looks like this... can't wait to try it out.

Here is the artist, seemingly pleased with her creation!