Since last summer I have been learning how to make jewellery from wax models.

I started off with rings

The process enables the creation of very sculptural 3D forms.

I really like the organic forms that can be made using casting. Ripples, waves and folds.

I have been experimenting with making other forms that are not rings

From drawing to carving. The wood is reclaimed African Teak (probably) from the Bristol Wood Recycling Project. In a previous life it was parquet flooring. Work in progress. It will be a necklace.

 

For the last few months I have been experimenting with woodworking. I started off with some old timber samples from work.

One of the first things I tried making was buttons. Nice buttons are hard to find so I thought I would make some myself. It proved to be quite time consuming but I will definitely try it again.

One of the first pieces of jewellery I made was a wooden pendant. I roughly shaped it with a saw and then filed away for hours. I got the finish with fine grade wet and dry paper and then a coat of wax. The wood is river red gum (eucalyptus camaldulensis).

I have been experimenting with different pendant shapes. I also got a Dremel multi-tool thing which the rough shaping much quicker. The example below is made with acacia wood.

I  have been experimenting with more complex designs with interlocking overlapping segments. The example below is made with beech wood.

Another experiment with interlocking segments. I am still working on ways to join the segments. The example below is made from oak.

I’m not sure what this is going to be yet. I am making another one for a symmetrical necklace perhaps. The wood is probably African rosewood.

This is an unfinished pendant design with spiral design. The wood is upcycled parquet flooring from the Bristol Wood Recycling Project.

Next, I hope to find ways to combine wood and silver.