We have casting liftoff!

In July, after one completely botched lot, I successfully got my filigree to cast! I am using a different kind of equipment than before, and filigree requires certain compensations due to the fineness of the designs. Essentially, while the books say that the casting flask (plaster mold) that you pour molten silver into should be around 800 degrees F when you cast, you have to elevate that temperature due to the fine wires in the pattern, or the silver cools too quickly and does not fill the molds. When I cast many years ago, using a technique called centrifugal casting, I only needed to compensate slightly. I'm now using vacuum assist casting. It does not draw the silver into the mold as quickly as centrifugal, so casting temperatures need to me significantly higher than normal for both the metal and the mold. My silver needed to be melted to a temperature of aproximately 1925 degrees F, and the flask temperature, from 800 to 1100 degrees F!!!!

For a closer look at the actual casting process, see my casting process page.

The following are examples from my first runs of castings. Some pendants can also be used as earrings and earrings as pendants or components etc. Prices coming soon.

		Cross and pentacles from the spiritual line
		Omega pendants and Chanterelle (mushroom) Pendant
		Triquetras...based on the symbol from the Charmed TV series, but can also represent the Trinity. Spiritual line
		Diverse Earrings
		Variations on a theme
		hearts