excavation. 1 & 2.

[duccio]

Here are a ceramic piggy bank and a silver metal, heart shaped pendant that says "I love you" (must be Rikki's) that I found on my cabinet / tell. The piggy bank was empty; the cork in the bottom gone. What other fascinating finds will there be?

Comments

[nanila]

An evocative pairing. May I ask what you're drawing with?

[duccio]

I'm using these round, fat #2 graphite pencils for children called My First Ticonderoga pencils. I like to draw on several pieces of paper so the thick lead can sink into the paper and cause the line width to vary according to the pressure I apply. I like to cut them in half so they are like an extra index finger. You have to sharpen them with a knife so the point doesn't get pointed. I like to use them with the lead point rounded, blunted. The leads are thick, so they don't break easily like regular pencils. After the drawing is done (I like to use a laid finish paper) I spray them with cheap hairspray so they don't smear.

Here they are on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ticonderoga-Beginner-Pre-Sharpened-Sharpener-33309/dp/B010DS1HJ6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1487865842&sr=1-4&keywords=my+first+ticonderoga+pencils

[nanila]

This is fascinating, thank you for sharing! I'll see if I can pick some up when I'm in the USA. Humuhumu might like to try them.

[duccio]

They also have a three sided "First Ticonderoga" so the pencil won't roll off the table. I like the round ones though so you can twirl them in your fingers looking for a different mark making potential from the unevenly rounded point. Variety and expressivity are the characteristics sought; round offers the most options.

I think the parent company is Prang which is worldwide. Check in an office supply store.