I have worked with beads for some time now, I use only the best I
can get me hands on. Swarovski, Pearl, and Gems and my next challenge
is to have some centre pieces cast. I found the caster whilst looking
for one for an Orchid participant, he`s really good! What do I do???
just draw up a design, find the right stone and go see him?? Pray
tell…this is new territory for me, and the possibilities
are very exciting to me!!
“Wishing you all Success in your work and lives”
Tina
Dublin, Ireland
"Blessed with yet another rainy day" ??? no surprises there!
my next challenge is to have some centre pieces cast. I found the
caster whilst looking for one for an Orchid participant, he`s
really good! What do I do??? just draw up a design, find the right
stone and go see him??
I hope I’m understanding your question, forgive me if I have it
wrong. Do you have a model for the caster to work with? Between the
drawing of the design and the casting, you’ll need to have something
to cast. If you have a piece you are going to reproduce, then
you’ll need to have a mold of it done (as long as you have
permission of course). If you have only a drawing, then you’ll need
a model maker to carve it up for you.
That’s great that you want to take a new step with your jewelry.
Casting can be a good area to try. Usually when you are working
with a caster, you want to bring him a model of the piece you want
to create. If you just want one cast piece, then you can make a
model in wax (there are all kinds of jewelers’ waxes ranging from
hard carving to soft moldable and my earliest models were made with
just a jewelers’ saw and a pocket knife). If you are looking to
make a mold of it so you can cast multiples of the same item, then
you can have a mold made from that one cast piece. Or some casters
will make a silicone mold directly from the wax. But a model to
make a mold from is usually made from metal.
It may also be possible to come in with a drawing (with multiple
views of the object, measurements, etc.) if the caster has or can
recommend a model maker. This could be expensive depending on the
complexity of the piece you want made.
Another thing you should ask your caster (if you are not set up for
this) is if he does finishing. All castings will need the sprues
cut off, sanding, and polishing.
my next challenge is to have some centre pieces cast. I found the
caster whilst looking for one for an Orchid participant, he`s
really good! What do I do??? just draw up a design, find the right
stone and go see him??
Working in a casting house myself. Probably your best and most
efficient approach would be to just speak with your caster and work
with them directly to find what criteria and course of action works
best for the both of you. Some casters will only cast, some will take
everything from a sketch all the way to a finished a product. Its
what works best for the both of you to be mutually beneficial.
This may open a Pandora’s box, but any suggestions on how to find,
minus the expensive and frustrating trial-and-error, good casters and
fabricators for production lines?
I had thought of just posting to Orchid for recommendations but I
don’t see that type of question often – for suppliers, yes, but not
companies very often.
On the other hand, needing some production work done for an
inexpensive line of silver jewelry, I tried a fabricator who
advertised in Lapidary Journal…and it was a disappointing
experience that got me a 8 months behind and very frustrated (quality
was okay, but they guy was a flake and also didn’t tell the truth
about timing, etc).
Wanting to spend more time on art and gallery pieces, I realize I
need to develop a line I can market through reps or catalogues. I
will need a silver caster and fabricator to do the line I’m thinking
of…ideas?