An aspect of this that hasn’t really been discussed is that the
programs are more accessible. I remember in the way-way-back, it
took a rocket scientist to get anything into the computer. These
days, artists who can’t add two and two can get beautiful lines after
a modicum of practice, and what’s more, they’ve probably got a
computer that can run the programs. That’s only happened in the last
few years. I think the designs you see are changing even now.
Dana Carlson
Dear Suzanne & All,
After reading all the comments by many of the Orchid Police I always
hesitate in making any comment. First of all I really hate to be
criticized when my intent is only to help give others some
encouragement. Second, I have no time for the so called expert who
claims an exclusive expertise no one else can come close to. We are
all striving to survive in this difficult economy, compete against
$30.00 per week labor and arrive at the end of the day feeling like
we have accomplished something.
Technology is a tool. Let me tell you how I see it. Let me also
interject how I use specific technology to help me be a better
jeweler. Now I have lots of toys I consider technological wonders.
Some stuff I invented and some I’ve found from others. At this point
I will mention the two that have help the most.
Plastic - I make most of my jewelry models of plastic not wax. It’s
the same process only I can steam out the part. Can’t do that to wax.
What a marvelous material. Who would have thought you could make a
plastic part with detail down to .002" and have it turn into a piece
of jewelry? With the dozens if not hundreds of kinds of materials
available, getting out of the metal mode has been a big change for
me. I still after transferring the design into precious metal work
with gold and silver, so my skills have not been compromised. My
view, opinions and expertise on the other hand have been expanded.
Silicone rubber - I really don’t think jewelers have embraced this
material as much as they should. My vulcanizer is now used as a model
press. I can’t think of the last gum rubber mold I made for my
product line. Silicone is just so much easier to use. You can also
mold just about anything. Comparing that to a the need for heat
resistant material for gum mold leaves too many limitations. If you
combine materials for modeling and molding the possibilities are
endless. Talk about a creative outlet!
I probably could write a book on unique technologies but that’s all
there is for now. In my opinion, I use current technologies because
they make my jewelry more unique, challenging and interesting to do.
Best Regards,
Todd Hawkinson
www.trhawkinson.com
www.ajt-online.com
Mpls.Comm & Tech College Jewelry Dept.
Dear Jeffrey, continue to say what you think. Hey, speech is free -
isn’t it? Your original post stimulated a lot of interesting
and we’re all richer for it. (there sure are a lot of
people out there who know a lot about the history of cire perdu or
lost wax casting)
But what you said in essence still holds true. Sure, there are a lot
more really good jewellers out there but there is a lot more people
too. The statistical averages may still support your original
observation, that there are fewer professionally trained jewellers
who are truly committed to individually designed and hand-crafted
pieces than there were, say, 50 years ago, before the commercially
driven reliance on modern casting technology.
That’s “progress” for you.
Rex Steele Merten
National President,
Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia
I totally agree. Now that ArtCam is available in a jewelry edition
(with a new release just around the corner) it’s become even easier.
I recently returned from 4 days of training at ModelMaster in Georgia
and received a good strong dose of what JewelSmith is capable of. It
surprised me. I had in an earlier post labeled ArtCam as a
heightfield based 2 1/2 D program. While there may be some truth in
that statement, it does not do justice to a very well thought out and
highly accessible program and I take this opportunity to make up for
my error. The authors of ArtCam, DelCam (DelCam is one of the really
heavy hitters in the high end CAD/CAM arena), have dedicated ArtCam
JewelSmith to be the program par excellence for the jewelry maker.
Bravo DelCam!
In the interest of fairness, I am now working on an in-depth
comparison between Rhino and ArtCam JewelSmith that I will post here
just as soon as I finish it. I’ll follow it up with an html version
with pics.
Jeffrey Everett