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Crash Course in Casting: The Delft Clay Technique
Casting is the process of pouring molten metal into a negative cavity (a hollow space) for the purpose of creating a positive copy of that space / shape. Casting can range from ancient ancestral approaches to high-tech contemporary methodologies, but in this workshop students will learn some of the basics while practicing the quick and highly accessible two-part sand casting process known as Delft Clay casting - an ideal technique for creating one-off objects in silver and bronze.
Using Delft Clay, students have the capability to mold ring blanks, duplicate simple non-brittle natural materials for pendents, or create components for larger pieces. Students will have a chance to cast and clean a number of pieces during the class. Molded objects should be sturdy, non-brittle, and without undercuts; acceptable materials might include wedding bands, solid branches, sea shells or stones, and any number of man-made objects.
Meet the instructor
David Baird has been making jewelry for nearly four decades. He received his bachelor's degree at the Evergreen State College, and his MFA from The School of the American Craftsman at Rochester Institute of Technology. He also has a GG (Graduate Gemology certificate) from the GIA.
David sells his work nationally and has taught classes and workshops for at least 30 years around New England including Metalwerx, DeCordova Museum School, and Lexington Arts and Crafts Center. More recently he has been developing specialized jigs to make bench processes easier for his students. The Directed Open Studio courses at Metalwerx are led by David because of his vast knowledge about the many facets of metalworking.
Over the past 15 years, David has expanded his repertoire to include lapidary cabbing and carving. He now devotes his time between two studios, both lapidary and jewelry, taking on commissions by request. His studio is located at the Waltham Mill Buildings, near Metalwerx where still he teaches regularly.
Materials & Tools
There is a $70 materials fee for this course, which is payable upon registration. The kit will be comprised of delft clay, brass rods (1mm and 2mm), 4oz of bronze casting grain, 2oz of sterling casting grain, sawblades, and other miscellaneous items needed for project objectives.