Commercial ice sculpting is big business today with companies vying for top contracts with the best of the best in celebrity, the media world and private individuals who want party or wedding decorations that are eye-catching and unique. Companies like these cater for theme parties or custom ice bars, individual table centerpieces, corporate logos made out of ice (in color!) and even on-site ice sculpture demonstrations.
They produce their own ice by a special freezing process. This produces ice that is crystal clear. To make a block of clear ice takes about three or four hours.
Depending on how complex the design is, a simple ice sculpture could take from two to seven hours to carve – for example a standard flower vase will take two hours to actually carve the ice plus the time taken to make the ice and prepare the pattern. Ultimately it will take about 5 to seven hours to complete and deliver the product.
Top-flight companies don’t make use of any molds for their ice sculpture, most are hand sculpted, unless they are making, say, a punch bowl out of ice. Molds are set in an ice machine that freezes the water slowly. To produce a crystal clear form like this takes thirty to forty-eight hours!
The ice sculptures last about six to seven hours indoors but if they are placed outdoors under cover they will last about four hours. This means that the details melt but the actual block of ice could take up to two days to thaw completely!
It may not be something all of us have thought about doing but did you know there is an organization in the United States dedicated to learning and furthering the art of ice sculpture? The National Ice Carving Association (NICA) is the only organization in America that is dedicated only to promoting the art of ice sculpture. They are passionately intent on doing this across the country and around the world.
The association boasts about 500 members and they are responsible for the organizing of ice carving competitions all over North America. The NICA wants to take ice sculpture off the fringes and give it some much needed focus and direction. They do this by offering standardized guidelines for judging the quality of ice sculptures in competitions, and encouraging feedback and interaction between ice carvers in America and all over the world. This may be the reason why NICA carvers are considered some of the world’s best.
If, for example, you already create ice sculpture as part of your job, you can become a member of The National Ice Carving Association. They offer a newsletter that features the latest carving and tool techniques and you will benefit from taking part in NICA competitions. This kind of support can help you master the art of ice sculpture much faster than you would without help and guidance.
If you are merely intrigued by ice sculpture but not really interested in learning how to carve you are still welcome to join as a member of NICA and help support this unique art form.
You can contact the NICA at the address below and request an application form via mail or fax. There are plans to make the application available online some time in the futures. Memberships vary from basic carver membership to student memberships.
Contact Details:
National Ice Carving Association
P.O. Box 3593
Oak Brook, IL 60522-3593
Phone or fax: 630-871-8431
If you aren’t interested in becoming an ice maestro and just want to try your hand at a fun ice sculpture for your kid’s birthday bash here are instructions for a simple ice castle.
Make a Simple Ice Sculpture
What You Need
* Empty milk cartons, tin cans, and other large containers for example:
* Milk cartons
* tin cans (especially coffee cans)
* Ice cream buckets
* Margarine tubs
* 2 liter bottles
* Food coloring in several different colors
What to Do
The idea is to make colorful blocks of ice and create your own palace. Simply fill the empty containers with water, add some food coloring, mix, and freeze!
Tip: Trim the tops of the cartons, jugs or bottles so the ice can slip out easily.
Once the water is completely frozen (large containers will take at least 24 hours), dip them in warm water so the sides melt and slide your blocks out. Now you can start building your icy castle by placing the blocks on top of each other in a variety of ways – a moat, a turret, and castle walls. Be creative and get the kids involved in your ice sculpture. If you though this introduction to the world of ice was fun why not move on to making ice sculpture out of molds and contact the National Ice Carving Association for some help and guidance. Happy carving!