Any articles written on greening up jewelry making practices? I
started using corn starch to lube my molds. Not toxic to my system
like silicone spray or talc both are not good to breath. Talc also
doesn’t burn out like corn starch will.
I think the best way to be green in jewelry making is to use only
hand tools and wood-fired kilns/ovens. This way we wouldn’t be using
any fossil fuels to generate electricity.
I’m guessing jewelry makers aren’t contributing to the alleged
"climate change" although my designs are quite hot.
I started using corn starch to lube my molds. Not toxic to my system like silicone spray or talc both are not good to breath.
Neither is corn starch.
Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ
I still use a gas torch and crucible furnace and an electric kiln. I
would actually prefer gas fired for the kiln but there is nothing
suitable available in the small size that I need. The house, and thus
the studio, is partially solar powered so this reduces GHG emissions
from the kiln and my electric tools. I buy my silver from a supplier
that exclusively sells recycled silver. We plan on installing
sufficient extra solar panels to make the house completely carbon
neutral and even produce enough power during the day to supply the
2kW kiln.
I could do a great deal more but we all have to make a start.
I started using corn starch to lube my molds. Not toxic to my
system like silicone spray or talc both are not good to breath.
Neither is corn starch.
My wife has celiac sprew, genetic disorder causing allergic reaction
to gluten- wheat, oats, malt, barley. After discovering this problem
aprox 12-13 yrs ago, and placing her on a glutenfree diet, many of
her problems disappeared rapidly, but thru experimenting with
eliminating corn(starch, syrup,flour,etc), her worst symptoms were
stopped instantly, unless she screws up and consumes something made
with a corn product or derivative. Severe intestinal, breathing,
rashes, etc, will appear within 10-20 minutes after a foul-up. And
because she is head chef in our house, I eat what she preps for us
both, and arthritis has disappeared for us both as well. I am 53 yrs
old, smoke 1/2-1 pk a day, built large, and been at the bench since
12 yrs of age, and until her diet change(and mine), I was working on
being a physical wreck. Severe knee, hip, and elbow problems have
been totally eliminated for 10-12 yrs now, perfect blood pressure,
eye doctor tells me my sight has been steadily improving(worn
glasses/contacts since 13yrs old), and all without any type of
surgery, physical therapy, etc… and I’m a couch potato after work.
Our daughter made normal choc chip cookies to take to work, and when
my wife simply walked thru the kitchen during the process, symptoms
showed up within minutes. So yes, I would consider corn starch,
etc… a bad choice for nearly any purpose. Read labels, its
everywhere as a cheap substitute for sugar, as well as a binding
agent to hold pills, pain killers etc together.
Hi Ed.
I am a celiac as well.
It may help some readers to clarify - though you may be aware of
this - her corn problem is unrelated to the gluten intolerance. An
unfortunate but separate issue.
Glad that the changes have been so beneficial to both of you!! 
My best,
Pam
Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com