Noel, I completely support your view!! I previously cast custom
jewelry for many many years. Have not done much the past three years
due to space constraints but still love the medium. What is
handmade? Some would say its ‘fabrication’ using sheet, wire or
tubing. Others say its not handmade unless you melt the alloy, cast a
billet, roll it out to sheet or draw the wire, or pull the tubing.
Now, that is all pretty ridiculous. For many years I did just that
but as I got older, my arms didn’t have the stamina necessary and
time seemed to become an elusive commodity. So I began buying my
sheet, wire, tube, etc. Now, are my current pieces any different from
the older ones? Nope…same! OK, now I hand carve (read fabricate,
create or whatever) a wax, go through all the required procedures,
prepare the metal (either alloy or purchased shot) and shoot it! Now,
have I hand made something? You bet your bippy. No real difference
between fabrication and casting there. And I agree the quality can be
just as good in either case. I have rings that have been cast and
others fabricated… in most cases (if I have been particular
enough) you cannot tell the difference.
In addition, there are some carvers (not me, I’m not that talented)
who can carve waxes that far surpass what can be done in the
fabrication process. On the other hand, there are things that can be
done in fabrication that cannot be done in carving/casting. The
elegance is in the eye of the beholder!
Cheers from Don in SOFL.