Creative Process - Rivers Ring Series

Making Of a New Design - Lost wax & creative process

Waxes; finished, raw, just carved

One of the great things about the modern lost wax process is we can quickly come up with multiple designs in wax. Then we can create silicone rubber molds of those which are use for making additional waxes. These 2nd generation waxes can be either used for more 3rd generation rubber molds or customized for a particular client.
Once a wax is done it is "invested" or cast in a plaster mold. After the plaster is fired in a kiln to 1350ᴼ F it receives the molten silver. We'll talk about the investing & metal casting processes more in future postings. There is creative potential in those steps. But, most of the creative process is in the creation of the waxes and the finishing of the cast pieces. I find that during investing & casting I am mostly focused on not screwing things up!

My Creative Process

In my process I allow three primary influences on my shapes:

• Natural shapes - Water, tree bark, leaves, pine cones, soil textures, fractured & smooth rocks are just a few of the things I look to.

• Materials - Metal, wax, plaster, wood, fabrics, and other materials are used in the creation of jewelry. Just like a clothing designer uses the nature of their fabrics I like to use the nature of the materials I use to influence the shapes of the jewelry we make.

• Tools - Rather than see tools as things to force materials into my vision I chose to consider how each tool can influence the shape itself. Does a saw mark or the cut of a chisel present an opportunity to expand or enhance the design? Should sanding scratch be eliminated or does it present the basis for an interesting texture?

Creating the Rivers Series

Three designs for the Rivers ladies rings

The Rivers series began with a prototype that was originally intended to expand on a friends ring based on the "all seeing eye". I wanted to demonstrate a less abstract design.

I began with a purple wax ring stock. It was cut to about 3/4" & sized with a reamer. This wax is hard, more like a soft plastic. To begin making the eye shapes it was drilled. Then saws, carving tools, and files were used to make the shapes.

An interesting thing came out of this. Once I had created a number of differently sized and oriented eye shapes it was apparent that it was developing a fluid character. So I ran with this a bit more. Seeking a way to enhance it I tried a technique I had used in a wax for a large bronze sculpture; directly heating the wax with a flame. It worked pretty well.

The three designs in finished wax

The Rivers I sterling silver men's ring is from the 2nd generation wax of the prototype and has been made more fluid. The Rivers III ring is from a 3rd generation wax where this method of heat & flame shaping was taken further. The Rivers VI men's ring is also from a 3rd generation wax that I took in a direction that the blue wax I was using took me. This particular wax will develop a nice beaded shape along hard edges if heated just so.




Reduced back band for smaller fingers

Narrowed back for small fingers

The photos above are of the Rivers ladies series waxes. These will have four synthetic stone cast in them. As my wife said, a little bling would be a nice addition!

The picture to the right here shows a more practical design consideration. This ring is being designed for women. It will be made in sizes 5 - 9. The smaller the finger, the less room there is on the inside when the hand is closed or is gripping something. A wide ring can be uncomfortable. These rings are intended to be worn daily so I am doing this so they will not become annoying to their new owners during day to day wearing. This also allows the rings to be resized by any competent jeweler at a reasonable cost. Keeping your customers' comfort and practical needs is as important as a unique design.

I hope this entry was interesting and informative!

Best,
John

Please check out all of our designs at our Patrick-Elliott Etsy shop.