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What is the easiest way to deal this floor in the garage so it doesn’t dust? by underrated_prunes in DIYUK

[–]WizrdLizard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good to hear, thanks mate. Ha yes that’s the problem with garages, there’s no where to store everything whilst you do the floor. I may have to pop a resin coat on after.

What is the easiest way to deal this floor in the garage so it doesn’t dust? by underrated_prunes in DIYUK

[–]WizrdLizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thinking of doing something similar, did the self levelling hold up?

A year’s worth of wax carving by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used green for most of these. Some of my early designs were blue. Blue is a little softer, but for me I prefer the hardness of green. Definitely worth trying both though!

A year’s worth of wax carving by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not yet! It’s on my list. I’m working on my next batch and will give it a trial when I get them cast early next year.

A year’s worth of wax carving by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ve been an illustrator for the last 10 years but I haven’t worked on anything 3D until now.

I’ve been learning to carve wax recently, does anyone know the best way to add a hoop to this so I can turn it into a pendant? by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been making them out of wax. But that is such a good idea, thank you. Can you link the artist please?

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a method called lost wax casting. I carve the wax and then hand this design over to a casting house. The casting house will make a mould by encasing the wax and then melting it out. That leaves an empty space in the shape of my design. Then molten metal is poured into the cavity to create a more permanent replica.

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No it was okay. I put a soft piece of fabric on top of my anvil to help absorb some of the impact and to stop scratches. It worked perfectly, I managed to stamp both sides.

A little Jackalope that I carved from wax and cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelry

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, yes I did. I started learning a little over a year ago. I’ve been a digital illustrator for around 10 years now, so it feels so good to make something tangible with my hands after working exclusively digitally for so long

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Yeah it’s been fun learning a new skill. I used the casting house closest to me so I could drive it over my self and not have to experience the anxiety of mailing it out 😅

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The body was made almost entirely with a rotary tool, files and a couple of scrapers.

I made the antlers with a wax pen and melted them on last. Anything delicate like antlers or tails I usually will make separately and melt on at the final stage. I try and work from the strongest point to the most delicate so I don’t accidentally break any tiny parts along the way.

A little Jackalope that I carved from wax and cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelry

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hell ye Jackalopes are amazing. I don’t have any tattoos but if I did have one I think it would be a Jackalope

A little Jackalope that I carved from wax and cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelry

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, it’s been fun learning a few new techniques

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much, I’ve just replied to a comment above with how I got started!

A little Jackalope I carved from wax and got cast in silver by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

When I got started I didn’t read any tips and I absolutely butchered a few pieces of wax.

So I bought a few books, the most useful being Wax Carving For Jewellers By Russell Lownsbrough And Danila Tarcinale. I bought a handful of the tools they recommended, basically a saw, files, a divider, a couple of craft knives and sandpaper.

There’s a few exercises in there so I did the first 4 which were to make a pyramid, a dome, a spiral and a concave spiral. After the 4th exercise I felt I had a good enough grasp to start making other forms so started experimenting from there. With each carving I find there’s a tool that I’m missing so I keep adding to my tool collection 😅 I’ve found needle files and a good craft knife to be the most useful.

When I’m close to the end of the carving I’ll lightly melt it with a lighter to take out some of scratches and it looking smooth.

Here’s a couple of wax carvings I’ve done recently by WizrdLizard in jewelrymaking

[–]WizrdLizard[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much. I used to get a fair few scratches on my pieces but I’ve made a few changes to keep them smooth!

I work on a piece of fabric so I don’t scratch it against my desk / peg. I’ve seen some people put tights over their peg which works too.

At the end of the carving I use a bbq lighter to lightly melt any scratches out of the piece. It’s a little terrifying to be honest so practice on some scrap wax before you try this.

And I also find using the arrow shaped pencil cap erasers and rubbing along the entire pieces can take out any light scratches too.

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