TECHNIQUES
Electroplating & Electroforming The practice of using electricity to deposit thin layers of metal onto objects. A current is passed between two electrodes causing layer upon layer of metal to coat the piece. Porous or plastic objects can be primed with a conductive paint |
Hand Fabrication Using saws, hammers, torches, and files to coax the metal into shape. Forging, soldering, and polishing the metal. Made by hand without computers, wax models, casting, or any pre-made components. |
Lost Wax Casting The art of creating an object or setting in wax by either carving or injecting the wax into a mold. Investment is then poured over the wax and then burnt out in a kiln. The mold is then filled with molten metal which takes the shape of where the wax used to be. |
Art Clay Silver This precious metal comes in clay form and it's 99.9% pure silver. The clay can be molded, shaped, and then fired in a miniature kiln. I often use 22K gold sheets and fuse it to the silver in a process called Keum Boo. |
JEWELRY MAKING
Some call it goldsmithing, others say metalsmithing, or jewelry fabrication. Either way, it’s all about coaxing the metal into taking the shape and form of your intended design.
The techniques and tools used to accomplish this are simply endless. Jewelers often steal methods from other industries such as carpentry and dentistry.
Rumor has it that a jeweler has more tools than any other profession. I could live several more lifetimes and still not know all the ways that jewelry can be made.
Aside from traditional jewelry making, one of my favorite mediums to use is Art Clay Silver. Made of recycled silver from old computer circuit boards and photographic film, it’s 99.9% fine silver. It allows for shapes and designs that couldn’t be created from traditional methods.
This clay form allows me to mold, stamp, and carve patterns into the surface. After firing the clay in a kiln, the fine silver piece is revealed in its final form. Being more pure than sterling silver, it’s a softer metal that’s more tarnish resistant and my very favorite way to recycle.