I make silver things

[flashlight]

I carve wax, make a casting mold and then forge the lying figure into a ring when it's made into silver.





I also made an earring.





I've made other similar objects too and produce more aswell.

[cowsareforeating]

what equipment do u need/or use?

[flashlight]

Carvable wax for lost wax castings, a set of scalpels for different levels of details and if you don't have access to a metal workshop for the casting itself, you can google places where they make the casting for you.

Afterwards you need different shaped rasps in order to reach all areas of your shape to get rid of the rough surface from the casting. To finally make it real shiny you ned equipment for polishing.

You can find all the things you need at a blacksmith shop.

[bryantyj]

interesting! I have currently been researching how to work with metal.

[tc99m]

I really like the ring and earring, have your worked with any other metals?

I also try to design jewelry pieces as a hobby, I work with different types of metals (gold, platinum, mainly silver and titanium but very hard to work with!). I mainly started because my dad is Jewelers and owns a shop in Boston and Peru that focuses on hand made jewelry.

Anyhow, I have been working on a replica of a Werkstatt ring in palladium and silver, I used a wax casing to design it, since it was my first attempt. I know that handmade jewelry is more valued and appreciated, specially if you are a connoisseur of handmade jewelry. But hopefully I can expand and learn on the dynamic process.
I will be posting it up soon just to get some feedback ( hopefully positive since it seems like I' am ripping Werkstatt's design but it will only be for me and not to sell).

[ahn]

I work with metal too (I am a student specialising in jewellery and object design) - I love that you forge the ring after you cast it! Very unusual approach.

Would love to see more of your work :)

[pamelaboze]

Lovely earrings. They are fabulous. I love your stuff. Where do you get these ready made frames of different pieces. Those rings are beautiful. Do you make those for yourself or as gift to others?

[BlackiceLORDofSILENCE]

Beautiful ring.

[bryantyj]

Can someone enlighten me on where I can learn more as well as websites for equipment?

[cjbreed]

Beautiful ring.

that must be the most METAL username on SZ

[flashlight]

bryantyj▴ just google your location and blacksmith+tools and you're most likely to find equipment somewhere close 2 you.

pamelaboze▴ nothing except my equipment is ready made. The pieces have been meticuously carved out of small blocks of wax and then cast in silver, using lost wax casting technique. I have made alginate frames afterwards to make copies, though I only made 4 of each. The copies rarely come out as good and detailed as the original.
The pieces are part of my conceptual work, which consists of objects, films, and some garments. If no one wants them I wear them myself. The earrings are all gone.

tc99m▴ I've made a ring in 24k gold, other than that I've only worked with silver. "I know that handmade jewelry is more valued and appreciated, specially if you are a connoisseur of handmade jewelry". My jewelry is handmade too, though it's not forged, if that's what you mean. Carving these figures takes many hours and I often end up cutting my fingers a couple of times in the process. To forge them out of a piece of metal would take a ridiculous amount of time and the price of such a product would be insane.
Some things are much easier to cast, which is why I used this technique. To value the techniques of casting and forging differently is an obselete way to look at jewelry. It's true that most forged objects are easier to cast, but there are things you can do with the casting technique that are close to impossible to forge.
I carved a lot of wooden figures with my grandpa as a child. So my skill is in sculpturing rather than with the hammer and anvil. Therefore, blacksmithing would take my work into a different direction and visual expression.

Here's the original wax figure before casting, channels for silverflow attached:

[sixledge]

Very cool, do you sell these or is it a labor of love at this point?

[flashlight]

"The pieces are part of my conceptual work, which consists of objects, films, and some garments. If no one wants them I wear them myself. The earrings are all gone."

Please PM if interested.

[Aska]

Really beautiful work! And nice to see some images from the Konstfack workshop ;)

[Skye X]

For anyone interested in jewelry supplies or resources, Otto Frei is where all of the professional jewelers that I know get their equipment and metal from. They're very helpful, and can get you started right away with whatever aspect of jewelry making you like.

I started with chainmail, continued with cutting and forming, moved on to chasing and repousse, and will soon be gearing up to begin casting. There's nothing quite like wearing your own art and having it appreciated by those who notice it.