[Jewelry making - Article 01048] - Re: [Orchid] Free form gold pieces

[andy cooperman]

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    Try casting into bunched broom straws. Natural broom straws, cut off
    the broom and packed tightly on end into a small tomato paste sized
    metal can. Water is in the bottom of the can and the can is set on a
    fire proof surface. I do this sometimes in workshops and students
    seem to enjoy it. 

    The result is a variety of stalagtite or icicle shapes that can be
    cut up and incorporated in a piece or even rubber molded to reproduce
    a particularly compelling shape. I've often molded a spontaneously
    generated bit that I've found to be particularly intrigueing and then
    cast it in different metals. 

    Vary heights and temps as others have said. You will also find that
    the different intrinsic weights or specific gravities of metals will
    effect the outcome. Gold alloys, being heavier than sterling will
    travel farther down the broom straws but will tend to remain more
    clumped. Sterling will produce more attenuated forms but freezes up
    much faster... 

    Good luck and have a fire extinguisher and a quench bucket standing
    by. 

    Also try casting into damp lentils and rice. 

Andy Cooperman



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