Metalsmith Newsletter

Hi there al metalsmither's,

I want to share a new technique, that I have been experimenting with.

I'm always mindful of using the correct tools and technique solution to achieve the most efficient result with the least steps in between.

As an example, if hand fabrication is the fastest route to achieve the desired result, then that is what I use.

If wax carving and casting it the fastest to the finished product, I'll go that route.

But for some time, I have been searching for a medium that will speed up the casting process and allow me to form easily pliable solid shapes and then casting them.

That is where polymer clay comes in very handy.

It is really easy to sculpt and when heated to about 130C, it becomes hard.

After hardening the clay, it can be smoothed out further with sand paper before sand casting it.

Here are the basics steps that I follow to cast a polymer clay piece into metal using the delft clay sand casting method.
I cover the Sand Casting Technique in more detail over here.

Metalsmith Newsletter - Sand Casting - Piece for sculpture

These are a few of the new tutorial I've been working on.

I used the technique of sand casting polymer clay shapes into brass in making the wheels for my Soul Catcher Sculpture.

In this link, I describe several of the metalsmithing techniques I used in making The Soul Catcher.