I work dimensionally in the medium of wax to sculpt in space, discovering the perfect balance between intention and spontaneity. These wax pieces are then cast into metals using the ancient lost wax casting method, where wax is placed in a flask that is filled with plaster and heated in a kiln. The original wax model melts and is "lost" in this process, leaving behind a mold of its form in the plaster. The flask is then secured in a casting machine where molten metal is thrust by centrifugal force from a crucible into the mold, creating a metal "cast" of the original wax model.
I initially learned how to do this myself to see how far I could stretch the limits of the material while maintaining design integrity. Creating jewelry at a large scale in wax, and then casting successfully in metal, poses unique challenges, but definitely brings the wow factor! I now partner with another female craftsman who specializes in casting at this scale and complexity.
Once the initial casting is successfully complete, I further refine the metal until the dynamism of the form is revealed. This includes further manipulation of the form and then an exhausting finishing process that brings forth the final form that is both beautifully fluid and seductively smooth.
This finished form is then sent back to the caster where a silicone mold is made for future castings. Due to the complexity of form, each casting made from the mold undergoes further hand finishing until the metal is like velvet to the touch. Lastly, jewelry pieces are polished to a glossy shine as the cherry on top.