Class:
Silversmithing was a 10 week deep dive into the art and techniques of investment casting (also known as lost wax). This amazing class was taught by Stanford alums Mandy and Sarah who now own and operate Red Start Design.
Wax Seal:
I've always wanted to make one of these and this class gave me the opportunity. I made a turned walnut handle to then hold the invested seal.
The seal itself was cast in a Japanese alloy called Shikudo which is copper alloyed with gold. It has an amazing deep copper color that I've never seen before and buffs to a high sheen.
The Pinecone:
Mainly an experiment in complicated texturing and molding this was cast out of ancient bronze after being hand carved in wax, pre-assembled and then invested as one whole part. There were over 30 gates to ensure each of the seeds filled when cast.
Steps from the production process.
Some Rings:
Some of the rings we made in the class while exploring how to work with the investment process, tools and materials.
Some of the steps in making the hex rings. A model was made on a laser cutter which I then used to make a silicone rubber transfer mold letting me then mold dozens of copies of the part out of wax. These were then invested in silver and brazed together in this tesselated pattern.
Other projects