HARD PASS!
To whatever you like. I have a growing list where my response will be HARD PASS.
Cast bronze lapel pin.
Currently only one, but I might some more.
#jewelry #lostwaxcasting #metalwork #tdmw
Conical steel forming stake mounted in vise
The joy of finding you already have the shape of forming stake you were shopping for.
#metalsmith #tdmw
Gold is so insanely expensive rn. Shown is ~52grams of 18k gold being alloyed and made into wire. The intrinsic value of the gold is $4173.
If I purchased 18K gold wire instead of making it, it would have been an additional $1000 in processing charges.
#jewelry #handmade #goldsmith #tdmw
Containers of the molding product Defiant 25 2 part silicone mold and a U-frame mold.
Siraya Tech Defiant 25 (1:1) is my new favorite molding silicone. I used to use Sorta-Clear 37 (1:1) and sometimes Sorta-Clear 18 (10:1)
It is thinner, trapping less bubbles (I still vacuum after mixing) and cheaper. Durability is TBD.
#moldmaking #jewelrymaking #silversmithing #sirayatech #tdmw
Prototype flask base (right)
Vacuum casting when using an electro-melt furnace is a challenge with small flasks b/c the pouring area is so small.
Trying to make an improved wider funnel base unless someone knows where do buy something like this commercially?
#tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith
New small studio solution: I now have my rolling mills on wooden skids w/ felt bottoms that slide into place and are bolted down to the bench. Both slide into corner when not in use. Hopefully next studio will have more space.
#tdmw #maker #studio #handmade #metalsmith #jewelry
Made this little sabot charm yesterday with the conflagrated idea of the French Resistance and the origin of the word "sabotage".
I fear the US is sliding into fascism and acts of resistance small and large will be necessary to stop it.
#tdmw #lostwaxcasting #waxcarving #handmade #jewelry #maker
New convenience while vacuuming investment: a cheap ($15) percussion massager
#tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith #casting
Making a chunky 18k yellow gold paperclip bracelet.
#tdmw #goldsmith #handmade #jewelry
My "chain library".
When I make a chain for a specific piece I will look at my previous samples and make more as necessary until I know what shape wire, what thickness, what size mandrel to form it around, orientation (e.g. half-round wire in or out).
#tdmw #metalsmith #handmade #jewelry
Replaced prototype with soldered circuit in my self-built kiln controller based on this project: github.com/jbruce12000/...
It was a hassle getting set up, but I love having a web-based kiln controller.
#tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith
Vase with forever flowers of brass.
The vase is after another metalsmith's work, but I have no idea who it was-- something I saw online years ago on tumblr.
Mine has two lids, one with a large single opening and one with a grid of small openings.
#tdmw #metalsmith #handmade
I facetiously worried that men would not know whose ideas to ignore without the tie as a signifier.
I made these so men could still know whose ideas should not be ignored and gave them to women coworkers.
#tdmw #dresscoded #jewelery #metalsmith
Toy surprise ring.
14k gold. Split comfort fit shank.
Idea was making a cracker-jack box type prize but in nice materials.
The vending machine capsule and confetti are as presented to owner. The close up is after she'd been wearing it for a while.
#tdmw #handmade #jewelery #goldsmith
Silver refining: Cementation
Now I've added a pure copper bar to the solution. The silver falls out of solution and the copper bar dissolves into the solution. That's ~98-99% pure silver crystals sloughing off the copper bar at the beginning.
#tdmw #silversmith #metalwork #refining
Silver Refining:
Continuing from a previous post, this is the filtered result of dissolving 300grams scrap sterling silver in nitric acid.
Strange to see a clear blue fluid that is holding ~280grams (1/2 lb) of pure silver.
At the end I'll make a little video of the steps.
#silversmith #tdmw
Garnet ring in 14k gold. First gold ring I made.
I alloyed the gold from a 24k gold coin -> 14k yellow gold, poured an ingot and drew the wire. The setting holding the garnet is actually 3 square wire jump rings soldered together.
#tdmw #goldsmith #metalsmith #maker #jewelery #handmadejewelry
Tea canister in sterling silver.
I think I made this in 2018. Pretty happy with it, though I learned a lot while making it for things I've made since.
#tdmw #silversmith #jeweler #handmade #maker
Studio talisman to get me to fix defects in wax before casting. It takes so much longer to fix in metal and is rarely the right choice.
Made by Vienna Pitts on the idea of getting a crappy shot on film/video and fixing it in post (production)
vienna-pitts.myshopify.com
#tdmw #lostwaxcasting
Memento Mori ring made for myself. Sterling silver, 24k bezel and gold keum boo and glass enamel over fine silver.
I really like how this turned out. I like to think of it as a relic a pope found as a cereal box prize.
#tdmw #handmadejewelry #silversmith #goldsmith #mementomori #tempusfugit
I haven't needed a gold recovery/capture system since I fabricate most things in gold, but occasionally I cast it as well. I don't want to invest in a gold recovery system so I'm trying this Japanese plastic box that folds up like IKEA/origami.
#tdmw #handmadejewelry #goldsmith #jewelry #maker
Lapis lazuli ring in 14k yellow gold comfort fit band. I didn't get a picture when it was first finished, so this is after owner had worn for some time. The lapis is a flat "coin" shape.
#handmadejewelry #goldsmith #jewelry #tdmw
Paperclip style bracelet in 18k yellow gold.
I alloyed the gold from 24k-> 18k, drew the wire, made the links and sister hook clasp.
#handmadejewelry #tdmw #goldsmith #jewelry
Sterling silver anchor bracelet. Cast and fabricated. The anchor is from an antique die possibly used to make buttons.
#tdmw #silversmith #handmade
