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Lost Wax Casting + Organics

Lost Wax Casting + Organics
I thought it was time to share! I've been fielding a lot of questions about casting metal, and over the last few months I created a little list o...

Scenic Other Worlds

Scenic Other Worlds
I recently had a solo exhibition at the Mohr Gallery in Mountain View, California. The show featured jewelry and photographs of rocks. It was a lot of fun! Check out the work and a blog post with my Q&A here

Cuttlefish Bone Casting Part II

Cuttlefish Bone Casting Part II
I recently purchased an electric melting furnace for the ability to cast metal in the absence of a torch. The immediacy and direct nature of cuttlefish bone casting makes it a natural choice of mold for this process. Even if the object is unexpected, there is joy to be had in pulling the final cooled form from the charred bone. 

Doublets

Doublets

There are truly little worlds in that quartz clarity.

A doublet is the lapidary term for a gem assembly that consists of two stones that have been joined together with heat, pressure, or adhesive. Often, an opaque colored stone such as lapis lazuli is paired with a transparent or translucent stone such as quartz or moss agate.

Cuttlefish Bone Casting

Cuttlefish Bone Casting
I have always been drawn to this ancient method of direct casting using gravity and the buoyant structure of the beloved cephalopod.

Polishing + Patinas

Polishing + Patinas
Discoloration on the surface of many metal alloys is common and called by a variety of names: patina, oxidation, tarnish.

Casting Organics

Casting Organics
Similar to lost wax carving, casting organic material is very exciting in that the outcome is unpredictable. 

Second Love

Handmade jewelry box: bubinga, ebony, brass
While metal is lustrous and luminous, wood contains chatoyance beyond my wildest dreams. 

Lost Wax Casting

Lost Wax Casting

It begins with a piece of wax which will eventually and magically become metal.  

Gravity Pours

Gravity Pours
Cuttlefish bone casting is an ancient technique that involves pouring molten metal directly into the carved bone.

925

925
love the versatility of sterling: it is forgiving to cast and willing to work-harden under a planishing hammer.