How to

	The 40 species of deer are the only animals that naturally shed their bone antlers annually. The antler is not "horn" but a true form of bone - the base is quite solid but the upper portions of the antler are porous inside. Even at that, some New Zealand stags (especially the pure or cross-bred Wapiti elk breeds) can sport antler that weighs from 8 to 12 kg in the "velvet" stage. The new antler grows from bud to full antler in 120 days. At approximately 50 to 60 days, deer farmers humanely harvest antler which at this stage is a soft blood-enriched product covered with a fine hair - called velvet. The "velvet" is usually ground into a powder form which is sold and exported for its medicinal and restorative properties. The remaining base (commonly called a "button") is then shed by the stag in early spring. It is pushed off by the rapidly growing new antler arriving for the next "roar" or breeding season. A larger set of antlers is produced each year by an adult stag resulting in next year's growth of a larger and heavier coronet such as the ones used for carvings and sculptures by Pacific Carvers.
	The carvings featured here and below are carved from beef bone, however, the principals are the same for deer buttons. The slab of bone or deer button is first cleaned (bone is often cooked to remove the meat - do not over cook or the bone may become chalky; deer buttons are not cooked). The section to be carved is flattened on a belt sander to ready it for cutting out with an electric scroll saw. The pattern to be carved is drawn or copied with carbon paper onto the surface of the material. See also "About Carving..."
	Small holes (like the ones seen between the fingers and tail section of this manaia) are drilled at critical pivot points and to allow the scroll saw blade to be fed through the holes to cut out an internal shape. The open spaces within the shape are cut out first and the final outside border is cut out last. Cutting out carvings before beginning saves a lot of time and leaves the natural surround for later use. For an examples of deer button surrounds, see: "Matau".
	Carving of the design is begun and is done in a three-dimensional style so that the finished carving is attractive from any angle. Note the recessed counter-sunk area on the head where the paua eyes will eventually be inserted.
	The carving is completed - it is highly finished and polished showing no machine or sanding marks. Tiny hand turned paua cabochons are inserted for eyes and a hand woven cord is attached for wearing. The remaining bone or deer button casing is then backed with leather and becomes a natural waka huia or treasure box to keep the carving in when not worn. Each carving made by Pacific Carvers is signed by the carver.